© Sophia Hegewald
“I DEPEND” is a confession, a consolation, a departure. The promise of independence has not come true – it remains ambivalent, the searching continues. Annie Bloch’s ten-piece ensemble carries the vocals through raspy, rough terrain, letting the words bang on earth or embedding them softly in bathing, nestling harmonies. At the same time, it remains so raw and close and yet conciliatory – but never lingers too long in any one place. I DEPEND resists dangerous certainties, is neither an orchestra nor a big band or a mere extension of the pop band with acoustic instruments. It sets its own rules, lets the instruments perform at eye level and tugs at the fixed functions of harmonic or rhythmic accompaniment. I DEPEND endures what wants to be endured and dissolves what cannot stay as it is.
I DEPEND came to life in 2022. After several years of playing as a solo artist, the quiet Covid-months gave room to devote time and energies to a new vision of a sound and combine the classical knowledge of Annie Bloch’s organ practice with the love of songs. Deciding against a viola but instead to introduce a woodwind and horn to the band, I DEPEND goes against the pop-orchestra clichee and resists the mere devision into string and brass section. The choice of members of the band was not arbitrary – coming from indie-folk, art pop, classical music, free improvisation and jazz, each musician contributes their individual strengths and character to the music that goes beyond its notation. After several performances at festivals, the songs for the debut album of the project were recorded at Maarweg-Studio Köln by Peter Gurk and mixed by Jan Philipp, who is also the drummer in the band. The album “I DEPEND” – Annie Bloch is released on March 14th 2025 on Papercup Records (Cologne/Berlin), Rough Trade Distribution.
Booking Info
Label: Papercup Records
Pressekit: Here
Availability: Just ask Marco ✉️
Travels from: Cologne
Lineup: 10 persons