What: Debut screening of a superb, 3D animated video for the single"(If We Are Not Spies)"; the title track from AV's new album, "When We Were Spies".

View a teaser trailer of the video: click here
Then What:  The screening will be followed by a rare duo show, with agent AV on piano and vocals and the ever evasive David Aide on organ-- catch before he heads off on a 3 month tour! 

Whom Else: This will be a double bill with the James Murdoch Band, who will also be screening a new video!  In other words, this is a "Double Agent Show!", and you might see David Aide re-appear....?!!

Where: at brand new Edmonton cabaret concert venue, the Haven Social Club

Tix: get them now at Megatunes or at the Haven Social Club during business hours-- the last Edmonton AV show was sold out, and many people were turned away-- someone must have leaked the secret!

Further Deets posted here

Press for “When We Were Spies”

“Being a Canadian is the only reason possible for explaining why Vriend is not sweeping our xenophobic nation with her wit and charm.  ‘Spies’ doubles as a dossier on the human condition, replete with subversive love stories and clandestine sexuality.  Department of Homeland Security be damned, Vriend is a whistleblower behind eighty-eight keys with a voice that would do the Iron Butterfly herself, Dolly Parton, proud… Ann Vriend has maintained a low profile up to this point, her third release.  As ‘St. Paul’ parlays, ‘risk it all’ and listen to this manifesto without hesitation… purchase ‘When We Were Spies’ before Big Brother destroys the evidence.”
--Sen Baltimore Magazine, March 2008

“Ann Vriend drives me nuts; how can music be this good and she's not plastered on billboards from L.A. to N.Y.?? “Spies” is a complex album full of subtleties wrapped in memorable tunes…. Vriend is an exceptionally talented artist with a strong comprehension of what her voice can do, an ear for orchestration and she plays the piano skillfully.  Her voice is serene with a great amount of precision to it, and yet wild at the same time, like unchartered, untamed vocal territory…. In truth Vriend is such an original, her vocals are hard to categorize. Whatever Vriend does after Spies, I would have to say buy it, in fact buy When We Were Spies and also buy Modes Of Transport. 4.5 stars.”
--A n E Vibe, February, 2008

“While listening to the album’s opening track, “(If We Are Not) Spies”, it should become quite apparent to listeners that Vriend has the doubtless potential to become a radio darling. She possesses the swagger and stylistic flair of a star in the making… With her soaring vocals, impressive songwriting ability, and multi-instrumental prowess, Vriend is truly an all-in-one package… Her melodic capacity is in full form here too, being of beautiful elegance in her seemingly natural ability to craft vocal-led hooks. “When We Were Spies” is Vriend’s most consistent release yet, with both her fantastic songwriting and vocal ability resulting in her best overall effort to date. If this album does not gain her some serious recognition outside of Canada, I would be absolutely shocked.”
--Obscure Sound, February 2008

“Ann Vriend’s sultry pop vocals are wonderful.  In the world of build-up songs—the ones that start low then rise to fill the room—her voice and songwriting are fun and difficult.  From the first track, ‘[If We Are Not] Spies’, Vriend gives you exactly what you’re going to get with the next 10 songs.  She showcases her range and playfulness.  The rest of the songs… focus on one or more ways for her to sing the story… of a former spy.  Wow!  This better be good.  Thankfully, it is.  The emotional ups and downs sung from Vriend’s perspective keep your ears attentive, always looking for the next tune.  Her black hair, pin-up beauty and spy fashion—all black with briefcase and gun—add to ‘When We Were Spies’’ polish and catchy musical finesse… Excellent music.  Great Stuff.”
--Scene and Heard, March 2008

“Infectiously cooed pop tunes by an April Dancer chanteuse stuffed into a tight trench coat fulla pseudo-THRUSH shenanigans. Open channel D!”
--Detroit Metro Times, March 2008

“Well, who would have thought it— ‘piano pop laureate’ Ann Vriend a former spy?  But that’s what the Canadian singer/songwriter would have you believe on ‘When We Were Spies’.  The thematic conceit allows her to chart a covert love affair through songs filled with clandestine meetings, double-speak and one-way glass, while billowing strings, lush electro-pop synth arrangements, tinkling piano and, the best instrument of all, her jazzy, impassioned country-soul voice rise up from the intimate surroundings of her previous outings and take on a widescreen quality in keeping with the pop-noir story of a shadow femme fatale… This is one well-kept secret everyone should have access to.”
--Pop Matters, March 2008

Country-soul crosses the border with Ann Vriend’s ‘When We Were Spies’… and moves with ease behind enemy lines... To most Americans, The Great White North is a land of polite Ontarians, French-speaking Quebecois, drug-addled British Columbians, and frozen Mounties.  But there’s this vast land between the county’s east, west, and north, Canada’s own ‘Wild West’, where taxes are low, guns are plentiful, and oil booms fuel the economy… And out of it comes Agent Ann Vriend, who, with ‘When We Were Spies’, hopefully won’t be a secret anymore.”
--QRO Magazine, March 2008

---

 Earlier Quotes:

"Once every generation... a singer-songwriter emerges with
the creative fire to set the music world ablaze.
Ann Vriend has the fire."
[Music biographer David Ritz]

 

“The so-called piano pop laureate deserves more attention....
Her latest release, The Clandestine EP,
a great precursor to what's sure
to be a memorable third full-length album...
finds the perfect balance between
lush, radio-friendly pop and Alberta twang...
showing off the songwriter's endless potential”
[NOW Magazine, August 2007]

"Ann Vriend sings with the heart-stopping intensity of Aretha Franklin,
plays piano with the ease of Norah Jones and
writes songs as powerful in their simplicity as those of
Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen"
[Elle Magazine, August, 2006]
 

"When it comes to women with pianos, there are endless comparrisons to make,
but Vriend stands out from the crowd"
[Drum Media, February 2007]

"Vriend constructs pop songs that are well delivered and express a mature artistry
reminiscent of Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell, but only in their qualities.
Her style is her own."
[South Australian Independent Weekly, March, 2007]

 

"Edmonton's own piano pop laureate of emotional conflict, [Ann Vriend delivers]
a lean, literate black and blue Tapestry for a new generation"
[Ottawa Express, May, 2006]

 

"Ann Vriend is a witty and poetic lyricist who cuts to the core of emotion
with insightfulness clearly beyond her years.
Vriend also has a knack for charming melodies...but above her music and lyrics,
is her unique and yet almost nostalgic vocals that are haunting,
powerful, even resplendent at times"
[A N E Magazine, May 2007]

 

"[Modes of Transport] is a gorgeous Kate Bushian jazz and piano pop record,
glowing with warmth and intimacy.
It succeeds at Vriend's wishes to create something accessible,
but without being overly familiar"
[Calgary Sun, June, 2006]

 

"There is something almost confronting in the candour of Ann Vriend's voice"
[Sydney Morning Herald, February, 2007]

 

“Ann Vriend is Western Canada’s answer to Ottawa’s Kathleen Edwards,
but with more soul, and more depth. A talented pianist, poet and songwriter,
Edmonton-based Vriend sings songs about love, leaving, and loneliness.
Her angelic voice soothes the listener,
and her delicate delivery begs them to come along on her...journey”
[City Gigs (Toronto), 2004]

 

"Vriend’s voice is sweet and clear, but her lyrics smack of the same brutal honesty,
including scathing tales of picture-perfect but empty relationships
and finding love in our cold, hard concrete jungle"
[Edmonton Journal, September, 2006]

 

Edmonton vocalist turns soul on its head, belting out
delicate introspection in the form of fire"
[Now Magazine, June, 2004]
 

AV HEADQUARTERS THANKS YAMAHA PIANOS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE WITH THE ANN VRIEND MISSION