“I feel like every time I come to Philly now is a full circle moment,” says indie-pop singer/songwriter Anna Shoemaker, who is currently New York-based, but hails from the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. The last time we spoke — in celebration of her last official stop in her hometown — was last October, prior to her first-ever performance at Theatre of Living Arts, while on tour supporting TikTok star Aidan Bissett. However, during a phone chat last month, when I ask what she’s been up to since then, Anna confesses that even that feels like a different era: “I’ve put out a few songs… It’s crazy, so much has changed since then. That feels like 10 years ago.” Shoemaker also tells me that she’s currently in the process of moving from New York to LA, where she admits she’s been spending more than half of her time anyway.
In the meantime, Anna Shoemaker has two upcoming shows in the 215 prior to the year’s end… Shoemaker’s been on the road supporting Joe P since mid-September and — after the two take a break from touring in November — will open our very own Brooklyn Bowl for the New Jersey singer/songwriter on Friday, December 6th. But later this week Anna Shoemaker will be taking part in Philly Music Fest, when she appears at World Café Live on Thursday, October 24th, where she’ll be opening the Music Hall for Philadelphia legend Amos Lee (with Cosmic Guilt, Super Infinity, and Cadre Noir appearing in The Lounge).
I’m shocked to find out during our recent chat that this will be Anna’s first time officially playing the University City venue. Although she does tell me she has a somewhat rich history there: “I used to do open mic there and I used to intern there! It feels like a full circle moment!” I’m inclined to ask if she has any favorite memories at World Café Live as an intern, and she tells me that there was one experience that definitely stands well above the rest: “When I was interning, Mitski came through, when she put out Puberty 2. She was in her bass playing era, and I was so obsessed. I had to watch from the control room, because I was working, but I definitely got to see everything!”
For those who are digging Anna Shoemaker’s latest sounds – she’s released two brand-new singles this year – or are fans of those with whom she’ll be sharing a stage (or venue, in the case of Philly Music Fest), the singer/songwriter tells me that each of her upcoming local appearances will feature notably different performances: “For our show with WXPN and World Café Live, it’ll be a full band, and a little more elevated than the last time I played there with a band… For my set with Joe P, I’m doing it just by myself, acoustic, which I’ve not done before, but the new music really lends itself to that. It brings attention to the lyrics and the writing.”
This summer Anna Shoemaker released singles “Close to the Sun” – a breakup song about “girl-bossing,” inspired by the story of Icarus, which apparently sets the stage for the themes of Anna’s music to come – and “Fields,” an infectious track about, “cleaning up and… moving on, going straight and choosing life.” [This is my reference, not hers…] And there’s certainly more new music on the way very soon… Keep checking Anna’s social media throughout the week…
*Get your tickets for 10/24 at World Café Live here.
**Get your tickets for 12/6 at Brooklyn Bowl here.
***Listen for Anna Shoemaker on the next edition of Philthy Radio, 11/15 (9-11pm ET) on Y-Not Radio.
