Vocalist/songwriter Susan Anders' "SWIMMER" to be Released February 22, 2011

HOLLYWOOD, CA, February 18, 2011 (Press-News.org) SUSAN ANDERS: SWIMMER

"Digs in and won't let you go." Chris Spector, Midwest Record

"Anders shows flashes of utter brilliance as a songwriter." Wildy Haskell, Wildy's World

"She can sing in a sultry purr or add a bit of a bluesy growl, always in service of the song." Darius Rips, Oliverdiplace

CONTACT: Jane Good/Zanna Discs zannadiscs@bellsouth.net, (615) 353-7869

Vocalist/songwriter Susan Anders' "SWIMMER" to be released February 22, 2011

PRESS: Please view/hear Susan Anders EPK (including downloads of all the tracks from Swimmer): http://bit.ly/fzln5e

RADIO: Broadcast quality downloads of Swimmer are here: http://www.airplaydirect.com/susananders

Zanna Discs proudly announces the release of Nashville-based vocalist/songwriter Susan Anders' new folk-pop album SWIMMER (February 22 2011/Zanna Discs), her second solo release.

Anders wrote and recorded SWIMMER after bouncing back from a period of illness and writer's block. These are not puppy-love songs for kids, but wise reports from mid-life, anchored by Anders' versatile, expressive voice. The songs vary in style while the topics remain deep: transcending a rocky childhood in the jazzy "Forgiveness", grappling with job search burnout in the bouncy, horn-laced "Thirsty", dealing with depression and recovery in "Get to You", and the highs and lows of long-term relationships in "Astronauts" and the folk waltz "The Good Fight". The album's highlights include "Love Beats Time", featuring dobro god Jerry Douglas, the haunting "I Can't Fix You", with Maura O'Connell singing harmony, and the joyous "I Forgot I Was Strong", a soulful vocal collage.

Anders recorded SWIMMER in her husband Tom Manche's west Nashville studio. Ironically, they lay down the last tracks just as the Nashville flood waters rose in May 2010. The production is full of happy surprises that set off Susan's acoustic guitar and keyboard. Van Morrison-like horns appear on the rootsy "In Another Lifetime", while Jim Hoke's dixieland clarinet and Roger Morris's tack piano turn "Always a Beginner" into a gypsy cabaret song. The layered female vocals on "I Forgot I Was Strong", backed only by bass and drums, hint at Manhattan Transfer and Sweet Honey on the Rock. Susan has sung back-up vocals and taught harmony workshops for years, but she lets other singers do the harmonizing on SWIMMER. This adds to the organic production feel, reminiscent of classic singer-songwriter albums from the 1970s. Other musicians on SWIMMER include Vince Santoro on drums, Dave Francis on bass, Dennis Wage on organ, Kirby Shelstad on marimba and percussion, Mark T. Jordan on accordion, and Rusty Russell on flugelhorn. Backing vocals are by Nashville singer-songwriters Dana Cooper, Pru Clearwater, Morgan Bracy, Ronnie Kimball, Vickie Carrico, Kathy Hussey, and Barbara Santoro. Manche added guitar and percussion and co-produced the album with Anders.

Anders grew up in Berkeley, California, at the tail end of the revolutionary wave rolling through the Bay Area. After music studies at U.C. Santa Cruz and S.F. State, she got herself into a bunch of weird and cool musical situations. Among the weird: delivering singing telegrams wearing a table around her waist, and teaching doo-wop versions of Beatles songs to Buddhist monks. Among the cool: stints in a cappella, rock, jazz and Motown bands that played throughout northern California.

In 1990 Anders moved to Los Angeles, met and married guitarist/producer Tom Manche, and formed Susan's Room. The band released five albums of eclectic acoustic pop from 1992-2000. In 2002 they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she recorded her first solo album, RELEASE (2005). Her songs have appeared on albums from the Four Bitchin' Babes, The Irrationals, Jordan Carter, and other country, soul and Americana artists.

Anders is also a vocal coach who has worked with thousands of singers, including Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum), Joey Heatherton, Rose MacGowan, Constance Marie, and L7. Her instructional releases include the No Scales Just Songs Vocal Workout and Harmony Singing By Ear. Her iPhone app Sing Harmonies was released in July 2010.

Though Anders' vocal knowledge is evident on SWIMMER, she resists the urge to over-sing and keeps her delivery emotive. Her moving vocals, smart and honest songs, and the inventive production make SWIMMER a thoroughly satisfying album.

PRESS: Please view/hear Susan Anders' EPK (including downloads of all songs from Swimmer) here: http://bit.ly/fzln5e

RADIO: Broadcast quality downloads of Swimmer are here: http://www.airplaydirect.com/susananders

MORE ON SWIMMER: http://www.zannadiscs.com/swimmer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, COPIES OF SWIMMER, OR TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW PLEASE CONTACT: Jane Good/Zanna Discs zannadiscs@bellsouth.net, (615) 353-7869

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