Arizona-based singer-songwriter Annie Moscow has just released a gorgeous new album, “Land of Dreams,” a collection of songs that dig deep and explore life in all of its intricacies. Moscow sat down with @skopemag to talk about these heartfelt and earnest songs.
@skopemag: Your amazing new album, “Land of Dreams” – what inspired it and prompted you to pull these particular songs together and head into the studio?
Annie Moscow: The lockdown years of 2020 and 2021 were interesting. Lots of losses and awakenings, and more than enough quiet time to reflect and write. By mid-2022, I knew I had an album, and it was time to record. The songs are all very different, but “acceptance” is a common thread that runs through them all.
@skopemag: Do you have a favorite song on the album? What do you love about it and what makes it really resonate for you?
Annie: Probably “Open Dream” (track 8), because it came to me in a dream, like a gift, and who doesn’t like presents! Sometimes I get messages in dreams, and sometimes songs come. This time it was both, and the message was very comforting – that no matter what happens, everything is going to be ok and there is a way back home.
@skopemag: Tell us about your songwriting process? How do songs come together?
Annie: A partial lyric or a piece of melody will appear, hang around, and grow over time — anywhere from a few days to a few years. As enough pieces start coming together, it’s like a section of a puzzle, and then I’ll sit down and start editing or playing what I have over and over till it all starts falling into place.
@skopemag: What is one word to describe how you feel about releasing this album?
Annie: Gratitude.
@skopemag: How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard it before?
Annie: I’m a piano-based poet/singer-songwriter. My music combines elements of folk, classical, and jazz.
@skopemag: Who are your biggest musical influences right now?
Annie: Sting, Laura Nyro, Bill Evans, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Debussy. Old school.
