ANIELLE REID
ARTIST Biography
FEATURED ARTIST • FEBRUARY 2015
Anielle Reid is an American singer-songwriter and Deering banjoist fusing folk twang with modern production to brand her unique form of Americana. Shortly after founding the duo, Red Winter, which was labeled the band that “puts a new spin on global traditions” Anielle began her solo career with the release of her debut EP Ain’t Like ‘Em. The release has been categorized as “ground -breaking banjo-based music that will utterly sweep away any preconceptions about the banjo and the type of music it produces.”
Reid’s music has been licensed to various film projects and has screened at multiple festivals including NOVA fest,World Music and Independent Film Festival, Urban Mediamakers Film Festival and Katra. Reid has also contributed her voice to other projects including: Liam Lyon’s Discotech, the electronic producer Daniel Mauck’s Icelandic track Lilja , Garth McGowan’s Try Harder and Matthew Brookshire’s Snow Day.
In 2017 the songstress began touring with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Matthew Brookshire as Anielle and Matthew at places like SoFar, at WNYC Greene Space and the American Folk Art Museum. In the same year she released a full length album entitled Free, which included Recollectin’ which won April’s This is Your Song Competition at Bowery Poetry Club.
In addition to songwriting and performing Reid produces meditations and affirmation recordings as AnielleReidTarot, and is producing a podcast entitled Magick and Mediums.
Bio source: aniellereid.com/bio. August 12, 2018.
ARTIST MUSIC
Released February 02, 2017
ARTIST INTERVIEW
The Banjo Reserve interviewed Anielle Reid, here’s what she had to say…
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
South Florida.
WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME NOW?
New Jersey.
DID YOUR GEOGRAPHIC AREA HAVE ANY INFLUENCE ON YOUR DECISION TO PLAY THE BANJO?
The fact that Banjos are sold in shops in NYC and there are banjo teachers in NYC and NJ made the Banjo accessible to me. Before I began playing I did not know any banjoists so my geographic area did not promote the Banjo to me; it just made it possible to buy one.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN THE BANJO?
The first time I heard the banjo as a prominent instrument in music was in West Virginia and I fell in love with it then as a young girl.
WHAT BANJO STYLE(S) DO YOU PLAY? WHICH DO YOU PREFER THE MOST AND WHY?
I play both Scruggs and Clawhammer at home. I like to play Irish Banjo and some minstrel tunes as well. I love mixing styles up the most because I like to see music evolve and be relevant. I like applying myself and my experiences into my style of play. Most importantly I like seeing how far I can go in experimentation with the Banjo.
HOW DID YOU LEARN THE BANJO AND WHAT METHOD OF LEARNING DO YOU FEEL IS MOST EFFECTIVE?
I learned via every book sold on Amazon regarding the Banjo as well as a few local Banjo teachers in NYC and NJ.
DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF LEARNING TO PLAY THE BANJO, WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING?
I found setting time aside to learn music theory most challenging as I wanted to spend every minute just playing!
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU STILL HOPE TO MASTER TODAY?
I hope to master the ability to take what is in my mind quickly apply it to the banjo. I would love to just whip up a song in ten minutes.
WHERE DO YOU SEE BANJO MUSIC GOING AND WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THAT?
I see banjo music as not being banjo music in the sense that people will see the banjo as a versatile instrument that has a home in every genre not just “banjo music”. I see my role as a banjoist in expanding the definition of banjo music as it is in popular culture. Banjo music now is associated with jazz due to Bela Fleck and an indie rock sound due to Mumford and Sons and an even newer sound with me, Anielle Reid.
WHAT MOST INSPIRES YOU TO PLAY?
Emotional states inspire me to play. Playing releases my emotions in a positive way so any time I am stressed, sad, upset I go to the Banjo.
WHAT SONG(S) DO YOU ENJOY PLAYING MOST ON YOUR BANJO?
Americana, Modern Folk.
WHAT VENUE(S) DO YOU ENJOY PLAYING THE MOST AND WHY?
I love small coffee houses, intimate spaces where you can connect with the audience are my favorite places to play and of course I love playing in the privacy of my home for my dog!
WHAT GENRE(S) ARE YOU MOST ASSOCIATED WITH?
Americana, Modern Folk.
WHAT BAND(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY A MEMBER?
I am a solo artist.
WHAT BAND(S) WERE YOU A MEMBER OF IN THE PAST?
I was in a modern folk duo named Red Winter which was composed of myself and musician Itai Winter for a year. I played Banjo in the duo and sang.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BANJO MAKE AND MODEL?
I have only played Deering banjos. I own an open back Goodtime and a Goodtime two.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BANJO PLAYER(S) THAT IS STILL ACTIVE TODAY
I like Sarah Jarosz.
BASED ON YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AS A BANJO PLAYER, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BEGINNERS?
Never give up.
WHAT AWARDS OR RECOGNITION HAVE YOU RECEIVED FOR PLAYING THE BANJO?
Various online folk publications and my local newspaper have featured me as a banjoist which has been an amazing form of recognition.
WHAT OTHER INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE?
I love to crochet, sing and write.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU THINK OUR COMMUNITY MIGHT ENJOY.
I have found playing the Banjo as bringing me closer to my history as an American.