Annie Kemble

Des Moines-based artist Annie Kemble combines soul, jazz, and funk in her music. In an interview with IPR, she reflects on her debut release and prepares for what comes next.
Dive Bar, the debut release from Des Moines musician Annie Kemble, has five songs and a couple of non-musical interludes that sound like they’re from a movie script. This technically makes the album an EP, or “extended play” release. Kemble is very aware of this, but as she says, "I'm just dramatic," and calls it an album.

Kemble's music style
It’s hard to imagine a more appropriately-titled release than Dive Bar. The jazz- and soul-influenced music, combined with Kemble’s amazing voice and flair for the dramatic, create an experience that will instantly transport you to your favorite dive bar or other home away from home. The album also serves as an homage to the music Kemble listened to while growing up.

“I drew a lot of inspiration from the songs I was singing in the dive bars that I sang at,” said Kemble. “A lot of them are directly inspired by covers I did with the band I worked with. The whole energy of the album, I wanted to pay homage to dive bars, and give people a glimpse into who I am, and give an introduction to me as a singer and as an artist.”

Read more at iowapublicradio.org! - Tony Denher