Annie May Willis is a California based singer-songwriter whose music has roots in classical violin, Appalachian folk, and a passion for social justice. She recently released her third album, Face the Sun, which includes songs that explore themes of love, community, service, grace, and healing. Annie is a longtime member and supporter of WWMU, and teamed up with other pillars of our community (Tres Mundos and Margaret Maria) among a host of talented collaborators who participated in this project. Below is an interview with the artist, in which we discuss her journey with music and the powerful message it conveys.
The following phrase is printed atop your CD artwork: “This album is dedicated to harmony and peace.” And you’ve also talked previously about being in “right relationship with the earth.” Can you tell us a bit about how these values show up in the music, and what message(s) you hope people will take away when they listen?
The past several years have been such a cauldron of challenge, divisiveness, and change for us all, and music is one of those languages that can cross any border and bring us back to our shared humanity. What kept happening in the songs I’ve been writing since 2019, was this theme of attentiveness to our inner and outer worlds and a desire to bring it all into harmony. I have a teacher who says that “there is no brokenness and healing, only harmony and disharmony.” In that light and in these times, I kept asking myself, how do we bring these notes of human existence into harmony when we’ve seemingly fallen so far out of tune?
So, some of these songs are about my observations of the larger collective passage we are in and an attempt to bring a voice and melody to the shared reality we are experiencing together (“Born for These Times”, “Grief & Praise”, “For Giving”). And a few of the songs are more personal in nature (“My Darling, My Love”, “Face the Sun”), but hopefully provide a touchstone that people can relate to. My hope is that these songs are useful to those who hear them.
Album artwork by Daren Thomas Magee (@realfunwow)
CD design by Sumeet Banerji
You’ve mentioned “stepping into a larger sound” for this record. What was it like to collaborate with musicians from across the Americas, and how is your music continuing to evolve?
I’m so grateful that it is possible to collaborate with amazing musicians in Argentina and Canada and elsewhere so easily these days. I’m so floored by the music of Tres Mundos and Margaret Maria especially! To be able to share an original song with people whose musicianship I admire and watch the song come alive in ways I didn’t know was possible when it’s just me and my guitar, is really such a wild and beautiful experience. Because music really is a global language, it fills me with joy and purpose to be able to co-create with people from other parts of the world. The result of that collaboration in this third album is not only more instrumentation, but also more heart, more soul, more contribution!
WorldWide Musicians United does a huge service to players, singers, composers, and artists around the globe by giving them a platform to connect, collaborate, and share their music on a wider scale. I’m honored to be among those who have been able to connect with musicians across borders because of WWMU.
Some people may be surprised to learn that you only started making music within the last decade. In your own words, “Back then, I didn’t play guitar, I didn’t sing outside of my car or shower, and I had never written a lyric.” Talk us through the process of getting from there to here (your third full-length release!). What did you learn along the way that you would share with any aspiring musicians who may be reluctant to start their own journey with music for any reason?
First thing I’d say is that it’s never too late to listen to what wants to come through you and follow it! Although I had a wonderful base knowledge of the language of music from playing violin at a young age, it wasn’t until I was 33 that I started to open and share my voice, learned how to play guitar, and started writing songs. Looking back now, it was clearly a way for me to express and navigate some deep grief I was going through after the death of my Dad. But, in many ways I’d call it a miracle, in that I never imagined myself writing, recording, and producing songs, so it came as a total surprise! For the last 10 years, music has been my greatest joy, and I’ve learned so much about myself and the world through sharing it.
Where is the best place for people to find Face the Sun along with all your other music?
The best place to support any independent artist is Bandcamp – buying directly from the artist. But I truly appreciate all of the follows on social media and listens on any of the streaming platforms as well!
Other platforms: https://
Follow Annie on Instagram! https://www.
