Following the success of her previous release, “Eclipse”, Canadian singer-songwriter Annabel Gutherz continues to introduce listeners to a distinctive blend of classic rock influences & modern pop sounds with the brand new single “Shame”.
Co-written with & produced by Mikal Blue (OneRepublic, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat) & Bret “Epic” Mazur (Crazy Town, Prince, The Black Eyed Peas). This latest release is an open-hearted single about acknowledging & overcoming relationship insecurities.
Since the release of her 2021 album, Loose Ends, Annabel has continued to develop her sound by working with an array of esteemed collaborators, including Bleu McAuley (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers) & Bonnie Hayes (Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, David Crosby). Fiercely committed to her craft, Annabel graduated with a baccalaureate & master’s degree from Berklee College of Music.
Annabel has kindly taken the time to chat with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution regarding the release of the latest single “Shame” & the creative journey behind it. You can find the full interview below.
Hey Annabel, thank you for this interview. Can you start by introducing yourself to readers who might be unfamiliar with your music?
Annabel: Hi! Thank you so much for having me! I’m Annabel Gutherz and I’m a singer-songwriter from Montreal, Canada. I’m also a recent graduate from Berklee College of Music’s Master of Arts songwriting degree program. I’ve been writing music for years and am so excited to be working toward my sophomore album, which will be a collection of pop-rock songs that I hope will leave a lasting impression on fans and listeners alike.
When did you first discover your passion for music?
Annabel: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember! Being on stage and performing in musical theatre ignited my passion for music, which began when I was five years old in a local theatre production of Annie. I fostered and further cultivated my passion and love for singing when I began writing my own songs.
How would you currently describe your musical style?
Annabel: I would describe my current musical style as pop-rock that blends warm and organic tones with synthetic and modern textures to create a hybrid and unique sound!
You recently released the new single “Shame”. How did the idea for this song come together?
Annabel: The story and concept of “Shame” was one I wanted to bring to fruition in the form of a song, and I shared what I had written toward it with my collaborators Mikal Blue and Bret “Epic” Mazur in the studio. We repurposed another song we had been developing as a template for “Shame,” and the topline and production fit seamlessly! We continued to flesh it out, and within an hour, we had a demo!
This song centres around acknowledging & overcoming relationship insecurities. What inspired you to write a song based on these issues?
Annabel: My own life experiences as well as those of others inspired me to write a song based on these issues. I think insecurity, especially in relationships, is something we’ve all faced, and it felt right as the focal emotion of this song.
You co-wrote this song alongside Mikal Blue & Bret “Epic” Mazur. How did this writing collaboration come together?
Annabel: I had the great fortune of working with Epic on previous songs in my catalogue and was always amazed by the speed at which he produced music and his contemporary ear. Through Bret, Mikal heard a previous release of mine, “Interstellar,” and the rest is history! We had several fortuitous writing sessions, and “Shame” was the product of one afternoon in the studio. I feel so blessed to collaborate with both Mikal and Bret, who are masters of their craft. Bret creates cutting-edge soundscapes with sheen, and Mikal meticulously composes acoustical symphonies, the two soundscapes that are the amalgamation of sounds that are emblematic of who I am as an artist right now.
Did you always plan to release “Shame” as a single?
Annabel: Not quite! “Shame” was a song that just kept emerging from the shuffle, and it became increasingly apparent that it was destined to be a single!
What does this song personally mean to you?
Annabel: This song is a reflection of the human experience, and how we can often feel two things at once. In this case, we can be happy and insecure in our relationship, and both sentiments are true. I definitely like it when feelings are straightforward, but also appreciate the beautiful and complex nuance of being human. Exploring emotional dualities here meant a lot to me, much like the song means a lot to me!
If listeners could take something from this song, what would you like it to be?
Annabel: Something about this song elicits a feeling of unabashed freedom in me, and I hope listeners walk away with that same feeling. After writing “Shame,” I vividly remember driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu with the song on blast, singing it at the top of my lungs with the windows rolled down… It’s a memory I cherish, and I hope listeners can create memories and indelible moments with it too!
Finally, is there a message that you would like to share with the readers of Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?
Annabel: Absolutely! You are fierce and fabulous, and despite this song being about insecurity, I hope you can step into your empowerment and know your value and worth.
You can check out “Shame” on Spotify below or on more platforms here.
Annabel Gutherz: Website / Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok.
Fierce & Fabulous Revolution 