Annie Dressner “18 Years”

NYC singer-songwriter Annie Dressner returns with her wistful new single – ‘18 Years’ out now via Dharma Records.

The feeling of having someone important in your life, only to realise that they don’t see you in the same way can be gutting. Using her songwriting prowess to express this frustration, Annie Dressner’s new single wastes no time as it opens with the cutting line, ‘You have nothing and no one but yourself to blame.’ The track, which features backing vocals from acclaimed singer-songwriter and frequent collaborator Polly Paulusma, may be upbeat in tempo with an elegant shuffle and beautiful guitar lines, but lyrically it pulls no punches and sings with an air of sadness.

“This song is about sadness and feeling completely let down. It’s that sinking feeling of realising you didn’t mean what you thought you did to someone, and coming to terms with that immediate loss in that moment. Heartbroken and still wishful, yet self-protecting.” – Annie Dressner

Annie has also just announced a headline UK tour for April/May 2024. Full dates below:

17th April – Cumbernauld Theatre, Cumbernauld
18th April – Cape To Cairo, Shildon
19th April – The Old Schoolhouse, Robin Hood’s Bay
20th April – St Mary’s Church, Purley on Thames
21st April – Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham
24th April – The Greystones, Sheffield
25th April – The Green Note, London
26th April – Vestry Hall, Cranbrook
27th April – The Junction, Cambridge
28th April – The Hive, Shrewsbury
1st May – Sound & Art, Worcester
2nd May – Chapel Arts, Bath
4th May – The Met, Bury

Born and bred in the heart of NYC, Annie picked up her family’s guitar for the very first time on the night of her high school graduation, and discovered a hidden passion that would change her life. Inspired by icons like Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, and Ben Kweller, she began crafting her own melodies, often humming her thoughts like a secret soundtrack to city life.

Annie’s artistic odyssey led her to countless open mic nights in the bustling streets of New York, which became her training ground, cultivating not only her craft but also a vibrant community of fellow songwriters and musicians. She eventually played her debut solo show at legendary NYC venue The Bitter End in 2008, and thereafter began collaborating with the likes of David Ford (formerly of Easyworld), the aforementioned Polly Paulusma, and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf).

Her music over the years has been played on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6Music, and has seen support from titles such as American Songwriter, The Line of Best Fit, God Is In The TV, Folk Radio UK and AmericanaUK, while gaining a nomination for Female Artist of the Year from FATEA. She has graced the stages of multiple UK festivals, including the Green Man Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Black Deer Festival, Secret Garden Party and Manchester Folk Festival. With hundreds of gigs under her belt, sharing stages with the likes of Echobelly, Emily Barker and Simone Felice, Annie will be hitting the road for her UK headline tour in spring 2024.

-Official bio