Ann Liu Cannon Talks New Album, Her Voice And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Bao Ngo Photography
Wiltshire born, London-based singer-songwriter Ann Liu Cannon has released her new album ‘Clever Rabbits’. We were intrigued and wanted to learn more about her and her music:
What is your earliest musical memory?
In a car with my dad. The Teacher by Paul Simon comes up. I thought, What the hell is he talking about? It’s been on repeat ever since. I was 6
When did you begin songwriting?
My mum had this small old classical guitar and I had a lot to say about my classmates. I was 11, I think.
You have your new album ‘Clever Rabbits’ out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
I was writing 70s folk revival kind of things so I didn’t want the album to sound like a 70’s folk revival kind of thing. No lap steels and lots of synths. Naturally though, an egg is an egg
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
Ethan Johns, at his studio, with Delilah Johns engineering and Odie the chicken keeping us on our toes
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album’s recording sessions?
Odie jumped on my head once. I discovered that Ethan loves Tyrell’s crisps. Singing inside West Kennet Long Barrow, recording the stones in Avebury. Basking in the sun on the train platform after a long day inside the mixing room
Who were the musicians who performed on the album with you?
Nick Pini on bass, Ethan on the drums
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
The Mellotron and the Moog were our homing pigeons, and a 70s (I think) SM7 on my voice
Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
Hopefully the next album b) Movement of Standing Stones, Jealous God c) Men-an-tol?
Does the title have a specific meaning/significance?
Yes! There’s this amazing symbol of three hares with their ears intertwined. It appears in churches around Dartmoor, around Europe, and caves in Eastern China. There’s also an idiom in Chinese that references this triad. My dad grew up in London and Devon, and my mum in China, and I’m a rabbit under the Chinese lunar calendar. It summarised something for me.
You have also released the new single ‘No You Don’t’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?
I was heavily invested and easily heartbroken
Do you have a visualiser to accompany the single?
Yes, we went to the sea in Cornwall, where I placed the song, and I wondered around the cliffs looking forlorn
Did you work with anyone else in terms of the songwriting?
No
Was it a difficult album to write?
Yes. Never write an album. I’m wondering if all music should be so difficult to write? Maybe there should be more enjoyment somewhere? But also no, I’m not very good at expressing myself, so writing was – at last – an easy way to do it. But it did take effort to finish
Who designed the album artwork?
Mary Banas (Design) and Bao Ngo (Photography) and myself (Autocrat)
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I grew up in a village in Wiltshire, and it is burrowed, breathing, still, hazy, growing
How do you look after your voice?
Like Winnie the Pooh – honey out of the jar, good friends around, steam. Does Winnie the Pooh steam?
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?
Yes!
Foolhardy Folk Festival, Nottingham, August 24th.
Do you perform solo or do you have a band?
It depends on the gravity of the situation
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
One person who understands and then they tell me they understand
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
Yes, sm86 for my voice and the boss reverb pedal on the shimmer setting is a lot of fun
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, because then I could meet Ruth Ozeki
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Joanna Newsom, Kae Tempest, Sufjan Stevens. I recommend Esme White, Bozard, Dead Pages
What makes Ann Liu Cannon happy and what makes you unhappy?
Taking a long shower on the day after the last day of her period. The first day of her period
Feature Image Photo Credit: Bao Ngo Photography
