Kristin Berardi and Sam Anning - Our Songs, Not Songs

2019 CD release.

Who said our songs are songs?
Our songs are not songs.
When you know that our songs are not songs,
Then we can begin to discuss song
- Ryokan

Vocalist Kristin Berardi and bassist Sam Anning join forces on their duo album ‘Our Songs, Not Songs,’ out through Earshift Music, bringing together a stunning collection of mostly original songs that entwines their improvisational virtuosity with an expression more akin to folk music. The songs are unified by expressions of the complexity of the human condition, serving as a call for connection to self, others and mother nature.

After having performed together for many years, Berardi and Anning started performing as a duo together in 2017 after discovering one another’s deep affinity for the love of song writing. They share a curiosity in exploring the diverse undergrowth of life’s myriad complexities, uniquely afforded by entangling poetry and music. Berardi describes the album as a “reflection on the variety of human relationships and interactions which occur: its complexity, fragility, capacity for resilience and growth, for pleasure, pain and everything in-between!” Contrasted with the sparse setting of voice and upright bass, the album features some special guest appearances by pianist Andrea Keller, and cameos of Berardi on piano and Anning on guitar