Anandi
As one enthusiastic fan once said, “If I bring a date to your show, your music will make her fall in love.” In answer to this Anandi responded, “Then you better be careful who you bring!” With a name that means bliss in Sanskrit, one could easily infer that Anandi’s music has the ability to conjure up images and sounds pleasing to the senses.
Although this Portland-based singer songwriter was born into a family of musicians, she chose to study at a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center for several years before pursuing her life-long dream of writing and performing music. Her debut CD, Melody Of Question, received praise from The Boston Herald and Northeast Performer among others. She appeared on the Emerson College radio show, “The Coffeehouse.” The song “Way” was included in the score of the documentary film The Manhattan Dating Project.
Anandi released The Mirror in April 2002 and supported it with shows in New York City, Boston and Nashville. In the words of reviewer John Scalzi of Indiecrit.com, “A rich, dusky voice, poignant lyricism and just a touch of sadness to make the blues go down right…The Mirror’s heart and soul is in soulful – and blissful –contemplation. A solid album all the way through.”
For her third album, Forever Days, Anandi returned to the studio with producer Brad Craig (Fine Arts Militia w/ Chuck D., Nastyfacts), drummer Genji Siraisi (Groove Collective) and guitarist and co-writer Steve Mayone (Kris Delmhorst). It received spins at college and core radio stations across the country and has been the local spotlight several times on Portland’s own KINK 102 FM. Forever Days continues to demonstrate her range of talent and strong songwriting ability.
Her special brand of contemplative soul contains a mix of wisdom and poetry rarely encountered in today’s pop music. On Forever Days, the title track reminds a good friend that growing up doesn’t mean losing a sense of delight in the world; in “Always A Child” she speaks with gentle tenderness to a friend who has lost faith. “Fruit” praises a friend’s lack of discrimination in their affections.
Anandi has been compared to Bonnie Raitt, Aimee Mann and Joni Mitchell. Currently, Anandi performs acoustic sets at cafés and at area clubs in Portland, Oregon.