ANNIKA shares on her upcoming performance and much more
Canadian singer-songwriter ANNIKA is gearing up for an unforgettable night in her hometown of Calgary, AB, at the Bella Concert Hall on April 11th. This special performance will be a celebration of her musical journey, marking the end of a transformative chapter in her solo career. ANNIKA will perform songs from both her Stand Still records as well as unreleased tracks, all backed by a stellar ensemble of Calgary’s finest musicians, including former members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
With over 1 million global streams, multiple YYC Music Award nominations, and a history of incredible performances, ANNIKA has proven herself as a captivating talent both on and off the stage. The upcoming concert promises to be a beautiful celebration of her artistry, and we are excited to share her story ahead of the show.
Get tickets to the show here.
Hi ANNIKA! What have you been up to since we last chatted?
Since we last chatted, I’ve had another baby and released new music! The “Stand Still” project has now been released in its entirety, and I am preparing for a big show to celebrate on April 11th at the beautiful Bella Concert Hall in Calgary!
You’re about to perform in your hometown of Calgary at the Bella Concert Hall. How does it feel to return to the city for such a special event?
It is such a treat to be performing in Calgary. When I perform in my hometown, often people from so many different chapters of my life come to support me and it makes the experience so special! I am excited to share the stage with incredible Calgarian musicians and feature Calgarian artisans as well – we have so many talented people in our city, I can’t wait to collaborate with so many of them at once!
With performances from both your Stand Still records and unreleased tracks, can fans expect a mix of old favourites and new surprises? What are you most excited to share with the audience?
Yes, I will be performing many tracks that have already been released in addition to new tracks that we have just begun recording in the studio for the next album. I will also be performing some covers in addition to my own original songs. The show will be a full band show, with some acoustic moments as well – so there is lots for every audience member to enjoy! I am most excited to share stories behind the songs that have been released and give a taste of what’s to come…!
You’ll be joined by former members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra for this performance. How did this collaboration come together, and what does it mean to you to share the stage with such talented musicians?
Growing up, I took violin and piano lessons and was very involved in the classical music scene in Calgary. Two of the string players who will join me on stage are actually former teachers of mine! It is a very rare opportunity for me to have live string players on stage, so I am so grateful to add this element to the live show experience!
Can you tell us more about the unreleased tracks that will be featured during the show? What makes these songs stand out for you?
One of the songs that I will be debuting at my concert was just recorded in the studio earlier this month. It wasn’t originally part of my set list, but after hearing it in the studio with the live band, I thought, “we have to add this to the show!” I think it is a great representation of what fans can expect from my next album in terms of groove. I also plan to showcase several songs alongside my co-writer, Aaron Pollock as we strip down songs to simple vocals and acoustic guitar. I love giving fans a glimpse of what songs sound like in their purest form before production is added, so I’m looking forward to that!
Last but not least, where else can fans catch you this Spring/ Summer?
As a Calgarian, you can always find me at the Stampede at some point during July! Dates and venues are yet to be confirmed, but I hope to be performing locally during that very busy, fun-filled week.