In true transparency I wanted to share this with you all. If I’ve not seen you recently then you’re probably not aware that I was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) in October, and am under review for ASD, or as it’s been previously known as, Aspergers (we know it is, but get confirmation later this month).

I posted the above in jest, but in truth, this is a small, but poignant insight into what everyday life is like as someone who is Neurodiverse. I’ve always known I was different, I’ve always known I’ve not functioned the way others do, or most expect. But there came a point last year where I had to find out beacuse it all became too much.

I’m sure most of you who have suffered my typos over the years in mail outs are not surprised, and I think it’s important here to celebrate difference. I certainly would not have achieved what I have if I wasn’t.

For myself, I am beginning a process of reflection. I’ve come to realise why situations have worked out the way they have, in particular my work with women in music has made me realise why I haven’t spotted potentially dangerous situations when I perhaps should have, but it’s also given me an ability to be able to make change in the music industry so that things can be better.

People often talk about the ‘superpowers’ of being ND. I would agree there, there certainly are some superpowers, and if I listed them all here you’d probably be asleep but the end of it. But, everyday institutions and social situations create an aura of shame around those areas that require management. Labelling ADHD as learning disability I find is particularly unhelpful.

Chaos, confusion, loud noise avoidance, social avoidance, all of these are challenging, but they don’t have to be. What makes the difference is awareness. I tell everyone now because it means I don’t have to pretend, and to be honest, I’m extremely proud of my differences and what I’ve achieved. I tell my children they should be too.

So next time you’re on a train and thinking about watching Netflix on 11 so the whole carriage can hear, make sure you put some headphones on. A little bit of kindness really does make a difference.

Anna

Saturday saw the vinyl launch for Kevin Brennan’s fabulous album There Clown and the Cigarette Girl.

It was an absolute honour to share the stage with Kevin, Glen Matlock, Gerry Diver and Pete Flood again, this time in Cardiff, and to be able to play these wonderful songs again!

If you haven’t already, make sure you listen. It’s a very special piece!

Here we all are on stage and before hand in the dressing room! Looking forward to hopefully playing together again.

Anna x

23rd April I’ll be donning my Doc Martins, black jeans and Fender Telecaster for a special one off show in Cardiff. Looking forward to being part of the band again, supporting the vinyl release of Kevin Brennan’s album ‘The Clown and the Cigarette Girl’.

St John’s Church, Canton, Cardiff on Saturday, April 23rd (doors 7pm) – come on down! 👇

You can buy tickets here: wegottickets.com/event/540245

Hi all,

Been a little quiet this end as I have recently relocated from Surrey to Kent! Which means I’ve spent the last coupe of months covered in paint and dust setting up the new studio!

I’m still recording bits here and there, and have a couple of big releases with other artists coming this year (hopefully!) so bear with me, more news coming soon.

In the meantime, here’s my new local #widesky.

x

I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the new single Stormy Daughter which came out last Friday. It’s tough going as an independent artist these days, and coupled with this being a real labour of love the feedback has been absolutely wonderful.

On Friday (19th November) the music video will make its premiere on my You Tube channel at 9am. This has been another labour of love, and after 18 months of trying to bounce ideas (never normally a problem!) I’m so relieved to have finally finished both the audio and the video! I hope you all enjoy it!

YouTube.com/annaneale

Anna x

I’m really pleased to announce that I’ve been elected to The Ivor’s Academy Senate! Along with these other wonderful 39 folks! Huge thank you to everyone who voted! I look forward to carry on fighting the good fight. 🙏🙏🙏

On Wednesday my friend and fellow co-writer on forthcoming single ‘Stormy Daughter’, Kevin Brenann MP, released his album ‘The Clown and the Cigarette Girl’. I was honoured to be asked to be part of the band for the album launch at the 100 Club in London, sharing the stage alongside Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), producer Gerry Diver and Pete Flood (Bellowhead).

It’s my first time back on stage since the Picnic gigs at Warwick and Blenheim last year, and the first time back in a music venue since the start of the pandemic. It was great to be able to just be a musician again, and be part of something different. That Telecaster has never been giggled live before, and it felt good to be breaking out some electric textures!

It’s a lovely album, full of beautifully written songs. Go and check it out.

Anna x

Last week was Ivor’s Week, and a celebration of all things composition and songwriting. It’s also potentially my last Ivor Novello Awards with the incoming Senate and committee changes. I can’t tell you how good it was to see everyone again, including other members of the (now defunct) Songwriter Committee I’d only ever seen on a screen!

The atmosphere was a wonderful mix of jubilation and relief that we were finally able to come together and celebrate some of the achievements and progress we’ve made over the last 3 & 1/2 years. Progress such as the streaming enquiry, #BrokenRecord, and EDI initiatives such as changing criteria for The Ivor Novello Awards which removed the chart condition of eligibility to submit to increase diversity and recognise the value in songwriting. Something I’ve campaign for since my election and I am extremely proud of. I feel grateful to have been an active part in those changes. This is not the end…

Anna

Ivor Novello Awards 2021

And with it, one of the most challenging months I’ve ever experienced. My life has felt own hold while I’ve battled against health care professionals (who are frankly exhausted and woefully underfunded) and system that is falling apart through a lack of support and resources, one that is unable to support anything that is simply more than physical. It’s a sad state of affairs considering the growing epidemic of mental and neurological conditions post the pandemic, but here we are.

My husband’s been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. I’ve witnessed breakdowns, one of the not so good sides of my industry, I’ve worked with trauma victims using songwriting to support rehabilitation, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Recovery is possible, but it’s slow. And with my own falling motivation levels I guess what I’m saying is: I’m still here, I’m still working (and open to work), just bear with me a little.

I’m not sure what the future holds, this is a good lesson in taking one day at a time. Music is a blessing in this respect. My friend Fiona Bevan wisely said to me that the events of this month will come pouring out at some point. She’s right. Today I made a small start, adding to the songs I have already.

Gigs wise I’m not sure when I’ll be back on stage. My next show is Haslemere next year, and at the moment I’m tempted to wait until that time. Gigging already felt uneasy, and I’ve been happiest helping others in the studio to channel their stories for their projects, playing live for them and working on media projects.

These are strange times, but I’m hopeful.

Anna x

It’s with deep regret that I’ve had to cancel this Saturday’s show at the Farnham Maltings. Unfortunately my husband suffered a severe reaction to the second AstraZeneca vaccine and has been in hospital (we still don’t know what it is). I’m not in the right head space to do a good show at the moment, but I hope the show will be rearranged once things have calmed down. Hopefully soon. Keep your fingers crossed.

Anna x