Interview with Annabel Gutherz

December 31, 2023

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I have been singing and performing as long as I can recall. However, it wasn’t until college that I decided to make music my career. When choosing what baccalaureate program to pursue, my mom encouraged me follow my happiness, leading me to commit to music. If I hadn’t chosen music, I believe I would be pursuing a career in law or working towards facilitating access to quality education through non-profit work.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Beyond writing songs and playing music, I find joy in reading, drawing, painting, and spending time with my family and friends. Immersing myself in diverse creative contexts and cherished relationships allows me to embrace different perspectives, welcome treasured experiences, and find inspiration—all of which influence my music.

How long have you been making music?

I’ve been making music since I was seventeen. I was writing in my diary when I first heard my words as lyrics and my phrases as melodies. I wrote an entire song from that entry and from that point forward, I began writing songs of my own and making music. It’s a profound and meaningful creative outlet that has evolved into a fulfilling career!

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I’m based out of Montreal, and even more than the city I grew up in, my music has been influenced by the home I was raised in. My parents introduced me to a variety of different music styles and artists that captivated and inspired me. I especially need to give my mom credit and abounding gratitude for introducing me to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, whose influence is at the heart of the music I’m creating now.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I aim for my shows to strike a balance between intimate, heartfelt, entertaining, and engaging. I would aspire for my shows to leave audiences with the same feelings I have experienced leaving my favorite concerts—a sense of light-footed giddiness and belief in a world colored with possibility and community.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Two dream venues for me are the Bell Centre in Montreal, where I grew up attending concerts, and the Verona Amphitheatre, where I was moved by an opera I went to years ago. Hearing such powerful voices underneath a starlit sky, accompanied by a live orchestra, in the depths of history, left an indelible impression.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

If I could play any show with any lineup, the ticket would include Stevie Nicks, Alicia Keys, Renée Rapp, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Alanis Morissette, and Phoebe Bridgers.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Advice I would give to someone who is just getting into making music would be to stay true to your voice, follow your artistic curiosities, and not shy away from exploring the craft and making mistakes. Find the joy in the music and writing process and appreciate the freedom to convey your individual musical expression. Advice I would give to my younger self would be to cultivate a playful mindset, welcome change, and savor life’s flavorful moments without putting too much pressure on myself.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Right now, of the ones I’ve released, the song that means the most to me is my latest single “Eclipse.” Sonically, it is the most emblematic of who I am and who I am becoming, and the story is a diaristic one that shares a message I hope listeners can embrace.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

The song that I’ve enjoyed rehearsing the most is one that I created but has yet to be released and is vaguely reminiscent of “Let Me Down Easy” from the Daisy Jones & the Six soundtrack, called “What a Shame”. I can sing it really comfortably in my register and it’s ripe with energy, making it fun to perform. The song I’ve been most requested to perform is a song called “Skylark” from my debut album. It’s one of my favorite songs from that record, and it’s heartwarming to see it continue to resonate with others.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

My creative process is a little malleable and dependent on the moment. As of late, I will find a chord progression that well supports the emotion of a story I want to musically convey and use that as a foundation to develop a topline (the lyrics and melody). Both my own life experiences and those of others inspire my music. Inspiration can be found everywhere, from my own perception of the world to the tantalizing pages of a good book or a vivid work of art; a story is nestled into life’s every crevasse.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

It’s my intention that every song I write, record, and release is a story that candidly portrays human emotions and thoughts! I want listeners to feel seen, heard, and understood through my music, and to do that, my music needs to be as honest as possible. As much as every song relays a different story, so too does it share a unique message, which is to be gleaned by the listener. In my latest single “Eclipse,” I encourage myself to step into my light and out of the shadows of comparison.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

In addition to working toward my sophomore album, I am so excited to be rehearsing for my first live concert in 2024!

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Spotify: 

Thank you so much for having me!

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