Anna Gutmanis

Ontario, Canada – Singer/songwriter Anna Gutmanis is no stranger to Canada’s independent music scene. Her self-titled 1989 release was met with high regard, and her single ‘Then Came You’ can still be heard on commercial radio stations throughout the country. Her powerful fusion of indie, soul, blues, and R&B on Glimmer In the Dark is just part what drives her music. Having come from a family of music lovers, she is able to use music to examine societal issues and produce a form of activism through song.

Personal accounts of living an often-stigmatized lifestyle provide the inspiration for her most recent single: ‘I Am Who I Am’. Promoting understanding through introspection, the song offers a unique perspective on the often-polarizing gay and lesbian movement through the eyes of anindividual immersed in it. Having already received exposure on various indie, women’s and LGBT radio stations, ‘I Am Who I Am’ won the Pride in the Arts Pride Song Award, and was nominated for Best Song So Far for the RightOUT TV Music and Video Awards.

The award-winning single offers a glimpse at what listeners can expect on Glimmer in the Dark. Working with Juno-nominated producer Karen Kane, the album was recorded at Chalet Studios and was mastered at Phase One Studios in Toronto, which has seen the likes of Bono, Rihanna, and Sting. Thought-provoking and bold, Glimmer in the Dark features some of the most talented musicians in the Toronto area, and represents Anna Gutmanis’ strongest musical effort to date. Political songs (‘People (Got To Get It Together)’), romantic tunes (‘First In Love’), joyous Caribbean-influenced numbers (‘In The Sun’) and the jazzy title track showcase the depth of Anna’s songwriting skills. And eminent music critic Gregg Shapiro has suggested that Bonnie Raitt cover ‘Middle of the Line’, a song that many women will take to heart.

While listeners all over Canada take notice, Anna plans on building upon the momentum of ‘I Am Who I Am’. In the near future, she will play numerous gigs throughout the Toronto area and begin work on a new video for the moving ‘Another Way Out’, a song about bullying. Until then, ‘I Am Who I Am’ can be purchased at iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp.com, and Glimmer in the Dark can be found at CD Baby and Bandcamp.com.

For more information on Anna Gutmanis and her intelligent brand of rock and roll activism, check out her website at www.annagutmanis.com, and the Anna Gutmanis Facebook Page.

ONTACT INFO.
Ontario, Canada
Anna Gutmanis

http://www.annagutmanis.com

press@3000records.com - Wireservice.co

Social media has been a boon not only for me as a reviewer, but independent artists looking for exposure that is now denied to them through traditional media. Ironically, it was Facebook that brought me to the attention of Anna Gutmanis – an artist that lives about 12 minutes from my house. ‘Glimmer In the Dark’ is a life’s work for the singer-songwriter keyboardist who lets us in to hear intimate audio snapshots of her life growing up over the course of 30 years. The album plays out like a musical version of the British coming-of-age documentaries ‘7 Up’. We get to experience, with her, the awkwardness of teen angst and (non) acceptance on “Another Way Out” to confronting the pressures of adulthood, parenthood, occupational burn-out, and other mid-life crises on “When I Get Out of Bed”, “Middle of The Line” and “The Rain” (the oldest composition on the disc). Gutmanis jockeys between musical styles as with her sultry mid-baritone and exceptional piano work. Songs like “Hello Again” and “First In Love” (featuring second vocalist Karen Dinardo) exude a playful and poignant Leonard Cohen cabaret breeziness while “People (Got To Get It Together)” finds Gutmanis channeling her best Mavis Staples inspirational gospel voice.

“You Won’t Be Sorry” and “In the Sun” both recall the music of the tropics – reggae for the former and Jimmy Buffett yacht Rock for the latter. Gutmanis is comfortable wearing all these hats. The production by Karen Kane along with the exceptional backing musicians – specifically the tasty guitar work of Wayne DeAdder – elevate this release from independent vanity project to seriously professional. And any album that features a singing appearance by a cat (“The Voice of Bliss”) is all good in my book. http://www.annagutmanis.com
- Segarini: Don't Believe A Word I Say

By
Paul Anderson

Indie artist Anna Gutmanis' album "Glimmer In The Dark" has been released for nearly a year (January 2012), but even so, it is still well deserving of attention. Gutmanis is a distinctive artist with excellent musicians backing her up, and the arrangements on this album are impressive.

The album begins with the track “First In Love”, which gave me a good sense of care in production quality that was taken for this recording. Anna plays a hook on the piano that reminds of the good old “Pretzel Logic” Steely Dan days. Her voice is deep and expressive, and her sound incorporates great harmonies in her arrangements. Karen Dinardo really blends well with Anna’s voice. Colleen Allen has a fine alto sax tone, one which is bright, but not abrasive. There are great sub-tones on the jazzy “Glimmer In The Dark”, and the vibe of “Moondance” comes across well with walking bass lines that are very effective, courtesy of Wayne DeAdder. Those chord changes are much hipper than “Moondance” btw.

Anna takes it to church on “People (Got To Get It Together)", which is a social wakeup call. The piano chords on the front are powerful. Terry Nash and Dajaun have a great organ/percussion breakdown on the transition. Anna sings with conviction and the background harmonies are tremendously soulful.

There is a wide range of styles on this CD, from blues and country ("Middle Of The Line"), to pop and rock. Wayne DeAdder is a chameleon on the guitar. Listeners will also find reggae and rock on "First In Love", on which DeAdder plays bass.

Reviewing “Glimmer In The Dark” was a bright spot in my day, and will impress any music lover who appreciates hearing the voice of experience, social consciousness, and outstanding music! - The Entertainment Bank

Glimmer in the Dark (Ban-Anna), by Canadian lesbian singer/songwriter Anna Gutmanis, is a 13-track disc featuring songs written over the course of almost 30 years. From politically-oriented numbers such as the call to arms "People (Got to Get it Together)," "Another Way Out" (about bullying), and the "out and proud" anthem "I Am Who I Am" to romantic tunes including "First in Love" and "Hello Again," cat-lover Gutmanis radiates with her musical mission. The album's most ambitious track, "Middle of the Line," features a blazing electric guitar solo, and sounds like something that Bonnie Raitt would cover. - The Bay Area Reporter

"Gutmanis radiates with her musical mission. The album's most ambitious track, "Middle of the Line," features a blazing electric guitar solo, and sounds like something that Bonnie Raitt would cover." - Gregg Shapiro, The Bay Area Reporter

"She surprises the world once again and releases "Glimmer In The Dark" and every track is greater than the last. Anna and everyone who made this CD possible – you nailed it!" - Tom Edmondson, Producer - The Tenth Voice 90.1FM KKFI Kansas City, Missouri USA

"This could well be a 'best of' CD… Whether songs of love, friendship, activism, appreciation, inspiration or loss, Gutmanis is universal in her appeal and comprehension... Much like John Lennon's "Imagine", Anna has the ability to touch your soul with a common and shared emotional sense of what is." - Len Rogers, Founder – Rainbow World Radio and StoneWall Society

"I personally LOVE Anna’s new album “Glimmer In The Dark”! I hope it gleans the rewards/awards which in my opinion are justly deserved." – Anita Gibbons, Producer, "Women On Waves", JOY Melbourne

"Anna Gutmanis has a gorgeous deep voice, and her pop songs speak of love and coming out and people getting together. The CD has 13 tracks and they're all good to hear." - BB, CJLY, Nelson BC Canada - Ban-Anna Records

Anna Gutmanis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Saturday 2:15 p.m. - PrideFest Rainbow Stage

Winning the 2009 Pride Song Award, Gutmanis will be doing a mini Pride tour this summer. Her music video for the film I Am Who I Am will be shown at the International GLBT Film Festival in Virginia on June 26th.
What brings fans to her shows? Gutmanis said, “I'd like to think it's the strength of my songs and voice. I think my songs are memorable.” The single Then Came You from her debut album is still getting airplay on Canadian commercial radio stations.

Gutmanis is heading back into the studio next year with the hopes of recording an entirely new album. “I performed in the U.S. for the first time last year. It was a blast!” One of Gutmanis favorite artists is Patti LaBelle who will be playing the Miller Main Stage Saturday at 10 p.m.
- Examiner.com

Skrevet af martin@pridenews.dk


Det blev den canadiske sangerinde Anna Gutmanis der med sangen ”I am who I am” sikrede sig Stonewall Society prisen ”Pride in the arts” (PITA) for årets pride sang. Bedste gay sanger blev Tom Goss og årets band blev det lesbiske par der sammen danner duoen Sugarbeach.

Ved prisoverrækkelsen, som fandt sted på den Canadiske LGBT radiostation Rainbow World Radio, rettede Anna Gutmanis sine varme tanker og en tak mod Danmark: ”og til Pride Radio Danmark der var blandt de første der spillede sangen,” lød det fra en stolt Anna Gutmanis.

PrideNews.dk ønsker Anna Gutmanis og de øvrige vindere et stort tillykke med prisen!
- www.pridenews.dk

Canadian singer/songwriter Anna Gutmanis still can’t believe that her song “I Am Who I Am” won the “2009 Pride Song” category at the 6th Pride In The Arts Awards on March 21st. “I was in some pretty illustrious company and expected to cheer for Scott Free, Nick Granato, Sugarbeach or Shawn Thomas when they won the category”, says the musician. “I’m really humbled by this whole experience, and the depth of talent in our queer music community amazes me”.

Other PITA music award winners included Dan Manjovi’s “Somethin’s Comin’ My Way” for “2009 Fan Award Song”. The song is featured in the Oscar-winning film “Precious”.

Until now, Anna has been best-known for the single “Then Came You”, released on her eponymous 1989 debut album and still receiving airplay more than two decades later. She will be hitting U.S. and Canadian stages this summer, most notably for PrideFest Milwaukee, the world’s largest LGBT music festival.

The PITA awards show premiered Sunday March 21st on Rainbow World Radio, where it can be streamed until April 4th. For the full list of award winners, go to the Pride In The Arts website at http://www.prideinthearts.com/index.htm .
- Mi2N.com

Anna Gutmanis, is a Canadian lesbian singer, songwriter and activist.



The pink elephant magazine’s Naomi Miville interviewed Anna Gutmanis a Canadian lesbian singer, songwriter and activist. and sends this report:

We here at ThePinkElephant online magazine are very excited to present one of Canada’s well known and oh so welcomed lesbian artist, who has richly provided us with a short bio on herself, her career as a lesbian entertainer and activist for gay, lesbian and women’s rights. I invite you to follow her here and to visit the many website options that provide details and photo’s of one of our most public lesbian pioneers.

Anna first attended U of T in 1980-81, but was unaware of the existence of lesbian/gay groups on campus. She dropped out in order to pursue a singing-songwriting career. Joining community groups such as Lesbians Against The Right, Anna also performed at cafes, benefits and Gay Pride 1984, receiving notice as one of Xtra’s "Xtra Special People". She recorded a solo album at the end of the decade that garnered cross-Canada airplay. In the 1990's, Anna met her partner Georgia and adopted their two children Naomi and Gaven.

She also worked at several Toronto youth and women’s shelters after earning a diploma from George Brown College. In 2001, Anna returned to U of T to finish her Bachelor’s Degree, selecting a minor in Sexual Diversity Studies and a major in Equity Studies. She also worked part-time at the 519 Community Centre as a drop-in counsellor and at the front desk. Graduating in 2005, she now plans to record an original queer liberation song to share with queers and our allies everywhere.

Anna Gutmanis, lesbian singer, songwriter and keyboardist, entwines brave, edgy lyrics with deep, blues-style vocals. Anna sought out revered lesbian producer Karen Kane to record “I Am Who I Am,” which won the Pride in The Arts “2009 Pride Song” Award. The video for “I Am Who I Am” has been screened at LGBT film festivals and Pride celebrations in North America and Europe, and can be seen on YouTube, The Q-Tube and One More Lesbian.

Anna is a longstanding musician on the Canadian music scene. Her single, “Then Came You,” from her 1989 self-titled album, can still be heard on Canadian radio stations. This debut release received airplay in every Canadian province and territory and is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and other on-line retailers. Further productions earned have earned Anna a FACTOR grant for Canadian Talent.

Anna is also a social justice activist. She has been an active member of queer grassroots groups and university Sexual Diversity Studies committees, as well as a front-line counsellor working with assaulted women and queer youth. She recently had the great honour of being keynote speaker at the Community One Rainbow Grant reception in Toronto.

Anna’s recent June Pride Tour included dates in Burlington, Hamilton, Milwaukee and Chicago, and she will be returning to the U.S. in August to perform at the Indiegrrl 2010 Showcase and Conference in Knoxville. The amazing and talented Linq, who recently won the Pride In The Arts “Musical Artist of 2009” award, will be joining Anna on stage for her first Indiegrrl gig! Anna is planning a new album for 2011.

Additional Thoughts: by Anna Gutmanis

I can’t stress what a wonderful time my partner Georgia and I had at the London Lesbian Film Festival this past April! Of course, being there for the screening of my video “I Am Who I Am” was amazing, but the whole festival was just a dream lesbian weekend. It was such an awesome feeling to return to the town of my birth – and my first 18 years of life – and celebrate being out as a lesbian with a bunch of other lesbians. Of course, there is never an end to fighting for our rights as lesbians and LGBT people, and Georgia and I took part in a small but strong march across downtown London drawing attention to the then-recent harassment of 2 young London lesbians by ignorant homophobes. This combination of activism and celebration – the festival included a burlesque show, a dance, and a workshop – made for a truly unforgettable weekend and something against which to measure any lesbian event.

Speaking of grassroots activism, we have experienced renewed joy in this lately. As you know, the recent G20 summit was held in Toronto, where we lived until last summer and where Georgia continues to work. We decided to take part in the labour march, which was a joyous event, complete with marching bands, participants bringing along their dogs and small children, and lots of peaceful protest. We are VERY glad that we were there, on the ground. It is NOT OKAY that peaceful people, particularly queer people, people of colour, women and immigrants, were treated horrifically by police, while people who broke the peace were allowed to do their thing without police stepping in to stop them. Although we ourselves were not mistreated, we know people who were, - The Pink Elephant

Canadian singer/songwriter and Indiegrrl member Anna Gutmanis has received a Pride In The Arts "2009 Pride Song" nomination for her original tune "I Am Who I Am". This is the musician's first such nomination, and she is pleased to share it with queer music luminaries like Nick Granato and Scott Free. Anna will play selected North American dates this summer, most notably PrideFest Milwaukee, the world's largest LGBT music festival.

For a complete list of Pride In The Arts music nominations and to cast an online vote, go to http://www.prideinthearts.com/Awards/music.htm
- Music Industry News Network

Anna Gutmanis and Ban-Anna Records are thrilled to announce the re-release of her 1984 classic tune Empire. The song was released via Tunecore on Saturday May 27th. Celebrating the first day of Ramadan as an ally to the Muslim community, Anna performed at a Toronto benefit at Palmerston Library for the work that Doctors Without Borders does on behalf of refugees.

Anna believes that the time has come for people around the globe to hear Empire. In 1984, she cut a 2-song demo with L'Étranger, a prominent Toronto-based band. The songs received airplay on Ontario college radio stations, with Empire, a song decrying racism and sexism, charting at several stations.

The message of Empire is more needed at the present time than it was in 1984. With a current U.S. government that is trying to turn back the clock on civil rights, Indigenous rights, women's rights, and the rights of LGBTQ persons, Anna believes that the digital release of her song will help add perspective to the discussion on what should be basic human rights.

To that end, she has also made an accompanying video for Empire. The video contains stills of Anna performing around 1984, her self-designed concert posters at that time, posters for feminist events at which she performed, and photos she took last year at Black Lives Matter, INAC Ground Zero, and post-Orlando events in Toronto. The message of the video is one of hope. Anna believes that social justice will prevail and that there is a critical mass of people around the globe who know that we cannot turn back the clock on human rights. Watch the Empire video at http://www.annagutmanis.com/video/ - Music Industry News Network