Introducing: Anna Aarons

Who knew that a Pizza Express restaurant in Central London could put on a wonderful night of live music? For those that didn’t know, particular restaurants of this well-established pizza chain host live music events all year round. The House That Soul Built attended a night at the High Holborn branch in February with a roster of unsigned artists performing. We attended mainly to seek out Ese and the Vooduu People who we had stumbled across in Harringay, North London. However, we left particularly impressed by the final performer of the evening: Anna Aarons.

Born in London, Aarons first found her voice through musical theatre at a young age. Eventually, she gravitated towards jazz and soul – while drawing upon her parents’ eclectic tastes. Having busked for a few years in Liverpool Street station, Aarons now performs at various venues around London.

Her Pizza Express setlist included a jaunty rendition of Gloria Jones’ ‘Tainted Love’ and a cover of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Stronger Than Me’, which she injected with playful mockery. In fact, Aarons performs regular Amy Winehouse tributes across London. She will be returning to the same Pizza Express branch in August for a show titled ‘In Memory of Amy’, paying homage to one of the 21st century’s breakout soul artists. She performs nights of 1950s/1960s music too.

However, she is also a fine songwriter and has recently made her first forays into recording. Listen below for our two favourite Anna Aarons originals.

‘Life’

‘Life isn’t always fair / But just having you / Gives me life’

When Aarons announced that she would be performing a song to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of her parents’ wedding, the cynic in me did grimace slightly. A saccharine, corny ballad was what I was expecting. Pleasantly, I was proved wrong. With a gentle touch and heartfelt delivery, ‘Life’ has an honesty and simplicity which is quite compelling. It is difficult to nail a ballad like this without drifting into mawkish territory, but somehow Aarons manages it. Against a dreamy, Stevie Nicks/Eva Cassidy style arrangement, Aarons’ voice lilts. ‘Life’ marks Aarons’ first studio recording.

‘Her’

‘And we go round and round in love and grace / And little sparks of emerald rage’

Written by Aarons for her sister, ‘Her’ explores the tight bonds of sisterhood. ‘Her, little girl standing tall above me / Who’ll always be six feet to her’, Aarons sings, conveying the mutual dependency and admiration shared between her and her sister. Whereas ‘Life’ is a gentle lullaby, ‘Her’ has more thrust to its melody, showcasing the more muscular side to Aarons’ vocals.