“Soulful and spellbinding… A bold and buoyant expression of the self.”
- Atwood Magazine
“Through a forest of heavenly harmonies and psychedelic undertones, Annie J delivers a breath of fresh air... The way [she] manipulates modern soul and injects her expansive touch into it creates an infectious and welcoming atmosphere in the same way it is risky and rewarding. Annie J seems relentlessly dedicated to carving out a soulful lane of her own.”
- Glide Magazine
“Light-as-a-feather in lyrics and composition, inducing goosebumps with each new, impactful line.”
- Imperfect Fifth
“One of the best singers in Seattle and beyond.”
- Seattle Music Insider
As the second-eldest daughter in a large, religious family–five siblings in all–Seattle-based retro soul and modern pop artist Annie J has always relied on music to find a sense of belonging. With a childhood spent shuffling around small towns throughout the US, she discovered that art created a deeper understanding of her purpose than what was on the surface. Annie’s family eventually settled on the east side of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State—through it all, she found a constant companion in what was flowing through the speakers of a “dream machine” radio alarm clock her grandfather gifted her.
“Anything that was mainstream pop or R&B came through the dream machine clock radio, which I’d listen to quietly in a room I shared with one of my sisters,” she says.
The R&B and jazz stylings of Whitney Houston and Nina Simone that Annie gravitated toward swirled with country-soaked powerhouse voices of Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, The Chicks and The Judds that her mother had on repeat. The messages these women sent via their music sparked her desire not only for singing but also for crafting stories and emotions into melodies that resonate, as well as modeling the significance of what it means to be uniquely you.
“I grew up a Mormon girl, which came with an implied vocation that I applied to myself for sure,” she says. “You know, love of cooking, embroidery, arts and crafts, anticipating male needs, following the chain of command, and staying in your lane—the goal being a good wife and mother.”
In addition to what she found on her radio, she credits the incredible educators along her path for the vocalist she is now, particularly a middle-high school choir teacher who felt like one of the first people to further her development as a young vocalist. These teachers and mentors helped her solidify the belief that she was worth the investment.
“I went to a small school with few opportunities,” she says. “Soon after we met, my teacher sat my parents down and advocated for private lessons. She found a proper instructor for me, who I worked with for the next ten years. It was such a slim chance for me to have grown into the vocalist I am today. A weird dimensional twist.”
Formally trained in classical music, Annie studied theater in college, which offered a gateway to a wider world—learning to inhabit another viewpoint was a profound experience as an actor and later as a writer. She began to realize her talent for storytelling. In the years since, Annie’s sound has evolved into a singular blend of pop sensibility, soulful expression, and jazz-infused rhythms—she mentions contemporary voices like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, and Billie Eilish are current influences. She blends her skillful songwriting and brilliant vocals seamlessly on her second EP, Been Loving You, for a sound that is truly her own.
Based in Seattle for the last two decades, she is now an in-demand vocalist working with an impressive array of musicians, including Seattle Rock Orchestra, The True Loves, Odesza, The Dip, Allen Stone, the legendary Cedell Davis, and more. With a wealth of experience, she has learned to weave authenticity and connection into her work, creating an EP that empowers listeners to find strength in vulnerability by sharing her stories of hard-won realization. Been Loving You is a letter of sorts to earlier versions of herself, an exhumation of her past, and an embrace of gratitude for her experiences.
“The first thing I wanted to do with this project was discover a sound that was all mine,” she says. “Mine is a representation of the people and music along my weird little nomadic country mouse journey to the city. To really put my finger on what I was composed of, for myself, out of my own curiosity, and to have something tangible to begin understanding that journey.”
“There’s been a lot of running away in my life,” she continues. “And this is just the beginning of standing to face the music, as it were.”
Annie notes that, at times, what she’s trying to say on the EP is veiled lyrically—a mirror to her experience. Finding the right words and sounds for what’s happened along the way is always an odyssey. Her husband, Nick Foster, a prolific songwriter in his own right, was a propelling force for delving into the deep end and creating the collection.
“This project began and ended in our little home studio in south Seattle, with stints in special and curated rooms across the city to capture rhythm, bass, and various other production elements for finishing touches,” she says. “It all bakes in together like a family meal, with a whole lot of love. Though this project bears my name, an entire village of hands has helped create, breathe life, and drag it across the finish line. This music is also by, and for, them.”
Overall, Been Loving You is a profound exploration of a personal journey through life’s stages. The journey unfolds like a memoir, each song capturing moments of introspection and revelation. “I think my story is still being refined,” she says. “There are many things hinted at but not stated on this EP; it’s a collection about the beginning of healing, self-love, and standing firm in your skin.”
Been Loving You begins with the poignant introspection of “Your Power,” an urge to embrace the inner voice that reminds us of what we can do in this life. Annie illustrates: “Imagine embodying that voice in your head, the one you hear from time to time that seems to say: “Hey, I’ve been here loving you the whole time. You can heal, and grow and reach for joy.”’
“This song, to me, is remembering that a patient inner voice exists, though she’s sometimes quiet compared to the rest. And knowing I will fall, again and again, and there will always be a way back,” she continues.
Each of the seven tracks on Been Loving You is a testament to Annie’s versatility as an artist and storyteller. “Makin Bacon” sizzles, echoing the controlled panic that sometimes sets in.
“The heat, the popping grease, the idea of heightening the stakes with a little one underfoot, all together start to tell what it’s like to be a mother and an artist, or any female professional in the world and society we live in,” Annie says. “I wanted to leave the listener wondering, ‘Is she going to burn the house down?’”
“Interlude” is a charming example of family collaboration. It features her then-three-year-old son, adding a touch of innocence and joy to the album. “Around the Block” offers a moment of introspection, with a slightly brooding voice craving to be heard but also to be left alone—a type of revelation that might hit while you’re on a long walk.
“Can’t Solve It” started as a title repeated over and over and a simple chord progression. Inspired by a second-hand story, Annie thought of her own childhood yearning for belonging.
“I just feel so much for these kids that can’t fit the mold they're being jammed into, and wish I could magic it away,” she says. “While finishing the song, I turned my gaze to my current moment of confusion and sadness. What it means to feel lost in the midst of love and family, all the wonderful things we’ve worked hard to build. It’s the other side of the coin, having found so much of what I’ve been searching for, and yet shadow figures still remain.”
“The title suggests resignation, but it’s acknowledgment and peace for me. Some things are out of our control,” Annie adds.
Meanwhile, “Gotta Give It Up” showcases Annie’s affinity for disco-infused rhythms and collaborative energy. It features a vibrant ensemble of musicians who elevate the track to celebratory heights, including Brad Gibson on drums and David Dawda (Fruit Bats) on bass. There is also the icing-on-the-cake string arrangement by Emily Westman, guitar by RL Heyer, and a full live horn section featuring Brennan Carter (The Dip), Peter Daniel (Father John Misty), and Jason Cressey (The Monophonics).
“This straight-ahead disco dance jam is a moment,” she says. “My deepest desire for this song is for it to eventually be featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race—a girl can dream! I feel the excitement of a young girl singing into the mirror with a hairbrush mic, and high heels six sizes too big. It’s a reminder to move your body, sing along, and feel yourself in the here and now.”
Been Loving You concludes with “Blue Angel,” a sweet showcase of improvisation and a perfect encapsulation of what so much of the project is: an understanding that the journey you end up on can be different than intended—but still beautiful.
“‘Blue Angel’ a gem that poured as if it was already written on my soul,” Annie says. “It started with a guitar riff I’d heard for years from my husband, Nick. I asked him to lay it down for me one day, then shooed him out of the studio to take a stab at it.”
“I sang the tune almost immediately, and wept,” she continues. “During that take, the infamous Blue Angels flew over our home right through the recording and became a part of it. An unlikely, organic outpouring specific to that moment.”
