In 2004, Annie—Bergen, Norway’s sunniest export—scored both club hits and indie cred with her debut album Anniemal. Her sophomore LP Don’t Stop was initially announced in early 2008, but got tangled up, as she explains it, in a nasty case of record label drama. “I kept on delivering things but it was never enough,” says the singer.
Fast forward a year-and-a-half later, and Don’t Stop has finally arrived on these shores, thanks to Oslo-based label Smalltown Supersound. Idolator met up with 31-year-old Annie (real name: Anne Lilia Berge Strand) in Los Angeles on the eve of her album’s release to discuss her upcoming American DJ gigs and how she eventually got the spectacularly upbeat Don’t Stop into her fans’ hands. More »
It’s been a long time since I did a post that just recommended a bunch of songs, no? Well, three wonderful slices of glossy, bouncy pop await you after the jump. More »
Popping in on this Labor Day to say that if you missed me chatting with National Public Radio’s Guy Raz yesterday about five albums to look forward to this fall—including this Friday’s release of Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3, as well as albums by Miranda Lambert, Annie, the Roots, and Hope Sandoval—you can hit up NPR’s Web site to hear it. And feel free to tell me what you thought I forgot! Time constraints, you know. [NPR] More »
Oh man, it’s almost Labor Day weekend! Which means barbecues, earlier sunsets, and the close of summer in the American mind-set. (Not to mention the ever-closer encroachment of the Video Music Awards! Ack!) So what better time to look back? Feel free to share your favorite musical experiences of the Memorial-To-Labor-Day period in this space, while you are (I hope!) waiting to go outside and enjoy the last crackles of summer. My list—which ranges from shows to finding out bits of news—after the jump. More »