Anniemal House

Annie is giggling down the phone. After every little joke, and every turn of phrase she giggles politely. She’s like a school girl, though despite the quiet laughter, she’s not happy. Her new found celebrity in her Norwegian homeland is getting to her.

“I’ve had to change my phone number again because I was getting left disgusting messages from weird men,” she says bewildered. “Also last night I went out for a drink and was annoyed by people approaching me asking why, on the record, I didn’t put that bass line in such and such a place or use that beat on this track instead of the other (laughs). You know I’m pleased people like the music but that was a bit annoying. I’m not sure I like celebrity.”
It’s something Annie’s had to deal with since the release of Anniemal, her debut album, last October. Her brand of pop, soul, funk and disco, all punched through with modern bursts of electronica, has seen her become something of a superstar in Scandinavia.
With Rachel Stevens cohort Richard X twiddling the knobs, some have even tagged her as the next Kylie though, in truth, Anniemal is much closer in sound to her friends Royskopp, Ralph Myers, and Erlond Øye. Like Annie they too hail from the small Norwegian city of Bergen and, with the success of Royskopp, Kings Of Convenience and Annie herself, the city has been tagged the new Manchester.
“Well there’s not a scene as such,” counters Annie, “but Bergen has a very varied amount of artists all doing something different. It’s quite a small city as well and I suppose in that way it’s easy to get to know people and work with them.”
Anniemal perhaps reflects the eclectic musical tastes of the city. “I guess you could say that, like myself, people in Bergen have an eclectic taste in music but that’s sort of forced upon you,” says Annie. “It’s a small city and there are maybe two techno nights a year and only a few gigs. So if you just stick to one genre you’re going to be very bored I think.”
Bored is something Annie won’t be. “I have lots to do, lots of promotion and new songs to write as well as autographs to sign (laughs). Maybe next time I won’t make such a positive record that will attract people. If I can I’ll make a boring depressing record.” She’s in fits of giggles and wicked sneers now.
“But no, really I’m happy, I’m afraid it will be more upbeat electronic pop from me,” and with a chuckle she’s gone.

Anniemal is out now on 679.