It's a shout into the abyss. A cry on the dancefloor. A hectic headbang in the living room. A long scream in the car. It's tension and release. Grief and joy. Love and pain.
Anna Smyrk's new single, Garden-Variety Grief, is all these things. The first taste from Anna Smyrk’s upcoming debut album, the song celebrates holding joy and pain together; a mix of comfort, sadness, and emotional release.
Produced and mixed by Anna Laverty (Courtney Barnett, Nick Cave), ‘Garden-Variety Grief’ is a cathartic, 90s-influenced track about getting through the hard stuff. It explores the universal experience of carrying pain and trauma in daily life, inspired by Anna’s personal grief after her father's sudden passing. The song moves effortlessly between moments of darkness and light, humour and pain, resilience and hope.
With a voice described as ‘truly astonishing’ by Rolling Stone, Anna Smyrk is a powerful singer and songmaker from Naarm (Melbourne, Australia). Her anthemic indie songs pair vulnerable lyrics with explosive arrangements and undeniable hooks.
The last year has been massive for Anna, with highlights including touring North America and Europe and official showcases at SXSW (Austin TX) and Folk Alliance International (Kansas City, MO).
Anna’s previous EP, Cortisol and Blue Light, was recorded in Nashville with award-winning producers Jake Finch and Collin Pastore (boygenius, Lucy Dacus). The record sizzles with smart songwriting and wry observations as it explores themes of fight or flight and the push/pull effect in relationships. The record charted on US college radio and singles were added to MTV in Germany.
She’s toured non-stop, supporting artists like Birds of Tokyo, Strands of Oak, Tim Rogers and Bachelor Girl and performing at some of Australia’s finest festivals (Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival), as well internationally at festivals like Mile of Music, WI. She’s showcased at international events all over the world, including NXNE (Canada), Folk Alliance International (USA) and Live at Heart (Sweden).
Described by Backseat Mafia UK as “a significant songwriter with an exceptional voice,” Anna Smyrk is a formidable artist on the rise.
