Journal

Anna

Ps. I'm slowly getting through Harry Potter the 7th, and a few days
ago I read Green Eggs and Ham to my nephew...to answer the question of
what I'm reading.

11.8.06

Hey guess who I was for Halloween? Last year I was Timmy so I decided to go for something a bit more feminine this year. Still just as much of a character though. You have photos of last year, so here is one of me as Alice from this year. Apparently demon Alice with my red-eyes.

I'd really love to see a remake of Alice in Wonderland with real life actors in it that follows Disney's version but maybe with Tim Burton directing it so its rather dark like Sleepy Hollow. And here is my choice of cast...

Alice- Dakota Fanning
Mad Hatter-Johnny Depp
Doornob- Mel Brooks
Caterpiller-John Lovitz
Cheshire Cat-Dom DeLuise
March Hare-Christopher Walken
Queen of Hearts- Kathy Bates
Cards- maybe Tenacious D
Walrus- John Goodman
Carpenter- Martin Short
White Rabbit- Sean Hayes (you know "Just Jack") Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum- Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn
Dodo- Will Ferrell
Sister- Gwyneth Paltrow...smiling and lovely but serious.
Bill the Lizard- Dave Chappelle
Bird in Tree- Wanda Sykes
King of Hearts- Matthew Broderick
Rose-Angela Lansbury
Iris-Meryl Streep
Dormouse- Jack Black

It'll be an all-star cast of my picks and my favorites. So somebody forward it to Tim Burton. I wanna see this!

I went to Disneyland with my little ninja friend (well, an 8 year old ninja for Halloween, that is)...it was his first time in the Magic Kingdom, so it was a lot of fun. If you happened to be there and you saw a girl in a giant Cheshire Cat hat singing songs from Tragic Kingdom (the official Disneyland outing soundtrack)...that was me.

By the way, it's quite awesome that Lisa Loeb wasn't appalled by my rendition of "Stay." And of course I know the words! I printed the lyrics out and memorized them years ago after I saw a picture of this cute guitar chick with glasses in my Delia's magazine. I printed the guitar chords too so I could botch them on my Ibanez. And if you are ever in Shibuya and you happen upon a club called Club Quattro, there is a note on the wall from Bad Ronald with the date he played with Lisa and then beside that there is a note from me dated a few years later when I played a show with him. Yeah, BR gets around. But how could anyone not love him. We girls are lucky to have him keeping the beat for us...and occasionally buying us new pink fluffy slippers because Timmy threw one out the bus window on the highway!

Beware the Jabberwock! x
Anna

10.25.06

Guess who got a quote on the cup of the greatest beverage company in existance?!? Anna C. Nalick did! Looks like Starbucks and Anna are riding off into the Pumpkin Spice Latte colored sunset together.

I've been on vacation and I had a fantastic time. I went to London and Paris. I saw London, I saw France, thanks to the pastries, pasties, and finger sandwiches I can't fit into my pants...so they're not blue, they're not pink, they are a pair of sweats until I hit the gym. Cause evidently Americans can't eat bread loafs for lunch and maintain their figures like the adorable Parisian girls can. I fell in love with London too. The history is so incredible. It's so amazing to be able to touch monuments that have stood for a thousand years or just under and imagine all the people who have stood right where I stood. Or to think that as I can trace my family back to the Mayflower, there are two young Princes my age who can count their lineage back to the very men and women who were burried or entombed in Westminster Abbey hundreds and hundreds of years ago. It's beautiful. In fact I think I shall add those young gentlemen to my list of people to meet and their Grandmum too, the Queen. Maybe someday when I'm really famous they'll invite me to play a show. It seems so unreal to an American girl.

Royalty is only in Sleeping Beauty to me. But then to think, no, there's a boy out there who will be added to history books simply for having been born and he had to survive high school not too long ago just like I did. Oh, I had so much fun. I love how the history has been preserved and it's not so hard to imagine Jack the Ripper walking the streets of Whitechapel or a party thrown in honor of Queen Victoria's Coronation. How gorgeous! It's really like a different world to me. Especially being from California where the history only counts back to the gold rush. Exciting, but so recent in comparison. I was in London last year for only a few days and was working so I missed the beauty of the city then, now I'd love to go back to Europe and tour everywhere. So sign me up.

I'm terribly flattered that somebody on the message board is considering naming a dog after me. I've been thinking about getting a dog lately, but I need to put a lot of thought into it. There is a special breed I want and a dog isn't as independent as a kitty...plus Lex might get jealous.

To answer a few questions in one, I wrote all the songs on the original WOTD in 2003 and 2004 except for Bleed, Soldier, and Drink me which I wrote in 2001 and 2002. And I wrote all of them all by my lonesome...except for Paper Bag in which I obviously borrowed one or two Blind Melon lyrics "keep these cheeks dry today" and "I'm gonna have it made" ( I had personal permission of course) and a few chords in the bridge that Eric Rosse helped me with so that there was one song on the record that all my awsome producers had a part in. Otherwise I am the sole writer of all my songs...just ask Britney Spears. Thank you so much to those of you who sent me sweet comments to come home to. I really appreciate them..and the entry about things you like in my songs is great! You guys matter so much and I am still working on a few more songs for the next album, so is there anything you'd like to hear? I'll see what I can do. Apart from a rap or a beatbox...that's more of a record #4 thing.

xo Anna

10.02.06
Well, I wish I had written Toxic. I always list that when interviewers ask what song is my "guilty pleasure." As a songwriter chick I'm only supposed to like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan...and I love both, but sometimes I wanna put on a leather bodysuit and dance through security lights to a song that isn't in 3/4 and has a catchy sexy beat...cause none of my songs are like that. So looks like the young Queen of Pop and I, The Breathe Girl are mutual fans of each other. I would have never guessed, but what a beautiful thing it is that music can be related to by so many people. (If you are totally lost right now, I'm talking about a magazine article in which Ms. Spears had nice things to say about Breathe.) On another note, thank you thank you thank you to those of you who showed up at my Seattle show. It was great to see you and hugs all around. You always come through for me and that is why I love you. I'll do my best to always come through for you too.

I flew home from my last (and I mean it, official last) show in NY for the opening of a new lingerie line for JCPenny. My main concern was for the flight home cause I was making it without my band and here is the typical "alone" flight for me. First of all, whoever books the flight usually doesn't pay any attention to the fact that I beg for a seat that isn't in the middle. So I get stuck between two 35-40ish year old dudes in suits, who try to start lame conversations like, "So, you good at crossword puzzles?" and pretend to be looking out the window and then quickly avert their eyes when I catch them looking at my (lower than the windows to my soul). They shove their elbows on me so they can pretend that they have dreadfully important work to do on their laptops and they manage to also stick their knees in my space. Meanwhile they have terrible breath and yawn exaggeratedly, forcing me to slide even further toward the inbred on the other side of me (and on the flight to NY I scooted right into the very narly snd stinky foot of the woman sitting behind me). And when I finally tell these gross dudes that I don't speak English (in English) they begin loudly hitting on the flight attendant who for the most part he manages to impress...I even caught one guy take off his wedding ring and hide it in his wallet when he was talking to a flight attendant chick. Sick!!! So I hate flying alone and was really dreading the long flight from NY to LA.

Luckily, though, and maybe for the first time ever, I was seated next to a very sweet woman and her very sweet daughter who were on their way to a wedding. I really enjoyed my flight and the good conversation and I want to wish the best of luck to Tara in everything that comes her way. And to Tatiana, I hope Disneyland was a riot. Happy 6th birthday...finally! You're Halloween costume is going to be the best in town. Best wishes to both of you.

Alright kids, talk to you later!
xo Anna

09.13.06
Hey kids,
I miss the heck out of you. Long time, no...concert.
Hey, Jade from the message board, I hope I get to meet you on the 23, we'll have to see when we get there. Since I've been home, and I've actually still been busy working, I've done some good things for myself. Like...hair trim, toes done, back on a healthy eating and exercise schedule (right now I'm enjoying some celery with organic peanut butter...yummy) and I have a dentist appointment soon to clean my chompers and maybe fix some painful chips I acquired from bashing my face on the microphone.
You know I was thinking...I don't much like the term "fans" and fan/friends is weird. Gwen Stefani calls her fans "lambs" and I think Mariah Carey has a name for hers too. So I've come up with an idea...tell me what you think...Fancakes! Cause who doesn't like pancakes? And you all are as sweet as morning treats. Tell me what you think.

xo Anna

09.05.06
The time has come. The tour is over. I'm exhausted and really ready to get back to making a record. All the songs are ready, I just have a few knots to untie. Thank you all for supporting me when things were great and when you knew times were tough. I'm so lucky to have such a dedicated group of music-friends. You have made all the difference with your time and comments. So many times when I was having a tough time and my confidence wasn't in a good place, I would look into the audience and see a familiar face of someone from the message board or from a previous show smiling back at me and I would remember what an honor it is to be able to share my music...even if the world off stage or beyond the audience is a real pisser! I really love you for that. I had mixed emotions while packing my stuff off the bus last night and flying home today. I miss my boys already and after 2 full years of touring with my little Breathe song, its strange to know that there isn't a real limit to how long I have till I leave again. The road became home for me and I feel I'm different than I was when I first left. Citadel was the song off Wreck that I related to most. Now its Satellite, which is funny cause that song has always had low ranking on my list, but it makes sense to me now in a way it never did before. I read through the message board and found footage of a show a few days ago...the one where "the light's always BREAD in the rearview." I laughed so hard I cried!

To Jinx I'd like to say, It was so wonderful to meet you and as far as you taking a bad picture, you will have to try harder to achieve anything less than lovely. I'm so glad you made it to a show. Thank you for your gifts and for your time. I got an email from a girl named Jennifer who has a 4 year old little girl. I want you to know that I got your email and I hope your little one is happy and healthy. Stay strong. Candidcastaway-I like the Winking Anna. I look like I have a tick. To OldFatGuy-It was nice to see you. You should change your name to YoungStud! To Shades- I do in fact know how to spell Cherrille Kroe. It was a typo. Ps. You think you're so sneaky, but you can't hide from secret agent Nalick. I've found you out.

Thank you Shades for keeping everybody posted on what's going on. It's been incredibly helpful. Also, I showed Lexi the video of that kitty pottying in the toilet and then flushing it and when I asked her if she could do that she replied that it is degrading to all felinekind for any kitty to use the same facilities as humans and why would she (Lexi) exert herself to pull that dirty handle when she can more easily just doody in her own space and have me clean it up. She then went on to say that she found that other kitty to be really icky because he (as it could only be a boy kitty) drank of the potty water before exploiting himself in a most private moment like some crazy wannabe reality TV star. Lexi is so opinionated! And one more thing. The reason Ms. Crow is not on my bio is because I didn't write my own bio. Here are the facts and the real truths. I can't really list my official influences. That's like trying to list your most influential memory. They all are influential in some way. When I was rowing up I wanted to be like Jewel, Sheryl, Alanis, and Jakob, Rob, and quite a few others. My first albums I bought were Rubber Soul and Nevermind. My big brother gave me Blind Melon, Veruca Salt, and Face To Face. I discovered Jeff Buckley right after he (Jeff) died and I fell in love with him. Later I wanted to be Tori and Fiona but more secretive. I wanted to join Lilith Fair with Sara McLachlan, I wanted to rock like Soundgarden and Garbage and look pretty while I did it...like Gwen. I'm a 90's girl. I love how SRV makes guitar playing seem effortless like a professional ice skater makes you think you can do a double spinny jump thing no sweat. When I signed with Columbia John Mayer was my example for everything as he was the it guy and I was the new girl. I love his song Clarity and when I first heard the lyrics to Homelife it reminded me of Home, so I kept it around. I don't watch TV much but if I won a Grammy tonight I would thank Grey's Anatomy...and Paris Hilton is my favorite reality TV star and I think she is hilarious and must be pretty smart in order to be able to make an entire brand of herself. Not my favorite singer ever, but I'm a snob and I know it. However, I have wondered before while ironing if I could use the iron to make quesadillas. Now I still want to be pretty and a fashionista like Gwen. I just need a full time stylist. I want to be funny and talented like Chris Isaak. Someday I want to be a full time writer/mom/wife/rockstar like Martie from the Dixie Chicks. And I wish I had written Travelin' Soldier. I want to meet, sing with, and save the world with Bono, and I wish I could put out 3 albums a year or more like the Beatles used to. And that last part is the only thing that is just impossible these days.

Anyway, I have 3 shows left. Not tour dates, just someone off stuff. They should be posted on the website. If not, Shades, hook the people up! Thank you to my label, management, and music friends for teaching me good lessons and helping me out, and above all thank you to my band for loving me. Tonight Lexi and I will sleep soundly and wake up in our own bed. Goodnight.

xo Anna

7.28.06


8.16.06
I have a few fun things to share with everybody. As you know I am a big fan of kitties. Sometimes I watch Animal Planet just in hopes of seeing a big one. Well, guess what? Last week I played a show at Six Flags Marine World in Valejo and I got to play with a real live baby cheetah! She was 4 months old and way different than my Lexi. She was very alert and kinda jittery. Luis made her jumpy, but she sat right down in my lap and started licking my hand. I loved it...I am the Kitty Whisperer! So that of course was my favorite animal, but the people at Marine World also introduced me to an elephant that I even took a ride on, a little family of dolphins, and a big sea lion. I didn't know when I gave the sea lion kissy lips that he's trained to kiss. So, we did a fair amount of making out when he realized it got him a fish. It was the greatest day. It turns out you can arrange to do a special behind the scenes meet and greet with some of the animals at Marine World, but no one will get to hang out with the cheetah like I did...cause, once again, I am the Kitty Whisperer.

I also got a visit from my friend Laurel and her Mom and this time I met the whole family. Thank you guys for showing up. And also, to the man whose daughter I gave my ring to: You gave me a letter from you guys that you'd had for a while and I gave it to my tour manager to hold and he lost it. I feel terrible, but if you remember what it said, would you send it to my manager? The address is on the web site. Anna Nalick c/o Michael Lippman at that address and he'll send it on to me wherever I am. I really wanted to read your note.

My headliner shows have been fun. It's been great to see the regulars! I've only got a few weeks left on the road and then I'm going back to the studio with a few one off dates in between. Hope to see you soon.

xo Anna

7.28.06
Hello Ya'll,
Well, the Dixie Chicks run has been a good one. It's been especially great because it's my first time opening for females and the Chicks are such an inspiration. They've overcome some pretty strong odds. More than just in the issues that folks find newsworthy, but by the fact that they've found monster success in an industry dominated by men, and often inappreciative of song writers. I read on the message board "Serious Female Singers..." and I think it is pretty pathetic that the minority of girls are the "serious" ones and "serious" seems to mean not going to the right parties, dating the right celebrity, or hiring someone to write us a "hit", auto tune it to death and then dress us like hookers. Despite all this crap, the Dixie Chicks have made a place for themselves and in the meantime they are also very kind and an inspiration to me as a girl, a singer, a songwriter, and as a future wife and Mommy (one day). I'll be sad to leave their tour.

But onto some headliner gigs that will be very fun I'm sure. I like playing my new songs. Well, new to the stage. I wrote "Melody" 3 years ago and "Drink Me" 5 years ago. That's why I've found it rather silly to hear talk of me getting brazen with my "new lyrics". Dang it! Maybe I've always been a trollop and everybody just now found out! Or maybe I've made a few decisions that were uncomplimentary to my own character but got good lessons and good songs out of them. And truth be told, I'm so glad I've got some nasty screw-ups on my life record. The song of mine that people best relate to is one that discusses personal humiliation, acceptance of a bad decision, feeling "naked" for reasons that everyone can understand and reasons that I intend to only keep to myself. How could I have written such things unless I'd been there? I guess that the answer to the question I often get about what I write at such a young age is this. In a short time I saw and experienced enough to need to get it out. That doesn't mean I want to tell you my secrets.

But I do want to tell enough to let it go to a better place and share enough so that others in similar situations can listen and not feel so alone, because that is what music has done for me. And besides, its great to be able to change things up and sing something different. I apologize for the lack of information on the message board. I'm upset too and I'm trying to fix it. I hope you are able find out the dates elsewhere so I can see you at my shows.

In particular I look forward to meeting Jinx from Greece. What show are you coming to? By the way, if you'd like to write to me, you should write to my management Anna Nalick c/o Lippman Entertainment and the address is at the bottom of the front page of the web site. It goes right to me wherever I am. See you soon.

xo Anna

7.12.06
So? What do you think? Do you like the new stuff? Told ya Steve and the boys are brilliant.

I went out and bought two copies of the record today. One to open and one to keep unopened for good luck.

Next step is back into the studio in late November. I've narrowed it down to 9 songs and a few to grow on and my boys are already working on their parts.

Thank you to everyone who came to shows and wrote kind words of encouragement on the website. It was so nice to meet, see, and hear from you all. And I'm so glad you liked Eliot. He was a joy to have as an adopted Brother for a little while. My favorite songs of his are "Faultline" and "No One Has To Know." You should hear them. They're beautiful. And speaking of the fact that there is a whole message board full of people who think I'm cool.... or at least fake it really well.....I got to go home for 2 days so I spent one of them shopping for new stage clothes at the mall I used to live near when I was growing up. In the midst of feeling particularly awesome despite my rather shabby appearance, I ran into a few people I used to know in grade school and immediately your Anna turned into (I'm not even gonna tell you my old nickname) from junior high, with headgear and stringy hair and big ugly L.A.Gear shoes that I was ashamed of because I couldn't afford Vans like the "cool" kids had. It's been such a long time since I felt like that. But there I was, choking on my foot beside the MAC counter, suddenly intensely aware of the fact that I was wearing a sweater that should have gone to Good Will years ago and I had a zit. It wasn't their fault. They were very polite. It just reminded me of my life when I knew all those folks. I felt poor even though we really weren't, I felt like no boy would ever like me because the one I liked thought I was "stupid and ugly" (or so Ashley told me that he told her on the playground in 4th grade), and I was sure that if I told anybody about the words I wrote down in the back of my notebook, they would laugh at me.

Wrong on all accounts...except for the "stupid and ugly" part. I believe that really happened, and I wouldn't be surprised because I know I really annoyed that poor boy. Turns out running into him at full force on the blacktop and stealing his pencils was NOT the way to his heart. The funniest part is that 10 years later, I know for a fact that I'm not poor and never was, I have a beautiful boyfriend who loves me and thinks I'm pretty and smart even when I try to walk through the sliding glass door in my bathing suit with a hand full of jellybeans (and if you know who he is, please still continue to keep it hush) and it turns out people don't laugh at my words...unless they're some snot-nose critic who just needs something to bitch about...and still I get totally insecure when running into the people who made me feel insecure, most likely without even meaning to, when I was 12,13,14 years old.

So maybe what makes me "cool" now is the fact that I understand all the reasons why nobody should intimidate me. Not the cool kids, the cool couples, or the cool president of the company. The truth is, we all run the risk of at any moment becoming uncool, no longer a couple, or no longer employed. And trust me, rich doesn't mean much because a lot of the time to have money means to have either a financial or emotional debt to someone. This knowledge would have served me well as a preteen and teenager.

However, I think NOW is the time to go to our parents and apologize for ducking in the back-seat because the cars they picked us up in weren't the nicest cars in the car line, or for feeling embarrassed if the house wasn't big enough, or crying because we had to shop at Ross when everyone else seemed to be shopping at Nordstrom. That must have made them feel pretty awful, like their kids were ashamed of them and the best they could do. And if you are currently in the midst of feeling these feelings about your car, house, and shoes, listen to this...these days I'm in a tax bracket that would make most people consider me wealthy (before April 15th that is). However, I'll let you in on a secret...the pretty purple blouse in the Breathe video is by a very high end designer, but the jeans, boots, and T-shirts were from Ross. So evidently THAT is where the cool kids shop!

Enjoy the new Wreck and best wishes to all the birthday boys and girls.
xo Anna

06.29.06
Hey Kids,
Man, what a whirlwind of a tour this is. Train plays for a week in a row without a day off and I have promo and interviews all day every day and fly dates for promo on the days off. My Boys and I are pooped and hoping that it doesn't show too much during our set. Train has been very nice though and it's a lot of fun singing "Wild Horses" at night with Pat. I've always wanted to perform that song.

It's been nice to see some familiar faces at the shows, even on the rainy mucky days.....and let me just say, without pointing any fingers, that I think "Breathe" and "Drops of Jupiter" are both worth seeing and playing live even if it is raining. That's live music for you and I'd watch it and play it even at the risk of getting soaked...or electrocuted. So thank you to everyone who showed up and didn't complain to the local paper.

As you know, I do read the message board and I'd like to comment on one of the postings about Sony changing me. First of all, a record company is like a big bank that charges interest and gives artists loans so they can afford to make albums and go on tour. Then we pay them back when the record sells. The record company's job is to be the bank and to promote the album and the artist and to do some development early on if that is necessary. They have a lot of jobs to do. Part of the artist's job is to decide how much of the business side we allow to take control. If a company is smart, which I believe Columbia is, they will let the talent stand for itself and if they have an artist who is different, they will use their business savvy to keep the artist's ability to stand out intact. I've never had a reason to talk about it, but before I signed with Columbia I met with a whole lot of other labels who had different ideas for me.

Columbia and the people who signed me let me stick to my vision, but we've still had to spend a lot of time sticking up for that vision. Can you imagine if I had taken the offer to front the all girl band, be on a reality TV show that followed me on the road, acted in the movie where I played "Breathe" under a stage name in order to promote the album, or made out with a stranger in a pool at a party in the Breathe video? These are all things we said no to. A lot of these could have catapulted me to "Super stardom" by now, but why should I give two shits about that when I can't respect myself anymore. If I'm ever super-famous I want it to be because I'm different, because I write all my own music...not just a few lyrics in a time when hardly anybody does anymore, and because I prefer to be true to my music instead of catering to a culture that glorifies sexuality to the point of whoring little girls...and big girls because they want to live their dream of being a singer just like I did, but people tell them that the only way to make it in the "big time" is to trade their songs for songs written by "professionals" and to wear a lot less clothes while they exploit themselves on reality TV. Record companies are very smart. They have to know what people will buy and unfortunately if Joni Mitchell were just starting out today, she'd have a hell of a time getting anybody outside of a coffee shop to listen to her, because she is too private for reality TV and too modest to wear just a half a hanky and two sequins on stage. Music has a really tough time standing on its own these days and I thank God and my listeners every day for the success that "Breathe" and the album has had, because it really is a miracle that people have paid me any attention with my clothes on, my private life private, and my music in focus. I've worked really hard for credibility. Sex sells and as a girl song writer that is tough to fight off. What is sexy in a guy is attentiveness and insight, so it's a lot easier for a guy singer songwriter. Evidently what is sexy in a girl these days is a lot less honorable.

I love my job, I love writing and I'm lost without it. That is what I want to share with people. Not my body, not my love life. I hope that that inspires lots of people, girls in particular, to write their own music, dig deep to what affects them and put on a pretty dress for the video if that's what they have to do, because it's about time real music and real musicians start topping the charts instead of people who are famous for being famous or famous for being naked. I believe that those people would do themselves justice to work a little harder and really show their talents and accept that it will be harder work but the reward is that people will respect them and maybe if people knew that there was something deeper out there they wouldn't just keep on accepting crap as all that's available.

Call me old fashioned, and absolutely write in and yell at me if I ever get naked to sell my songs. In the meantime, I'm running the show here, don't worry about me going down that "other path". I'm too possessive of my music and my self respect to get lost in all that. Thanks for being concerned though. It's nice to have so many people looking out for me.

xo Anna 06.07.06
I've been reading an Anne Rice novel. My goodness she is a captivating writer. It inspired me to rent Interview With The Vampire. Brad Pitt is a very good actor and I can't believe Kirsten Dunst managed to portray her character so convincingly at such a young age.

In other words, what have I been up to? Absolutely nothing! And its awful. I have taken advantage of the down time. I went for some pampering and I read a novel. I've only been home for 4 days and I need to get back on the road.

The one not useless thing I'm doing is making recordings of my new songs to give to the Boys to learn and make wonderful as I know they will. The rumor is that I will be in the studio recording by the end of this year...which means nothing cause the dates always change...but it's in the works nonetheless. And we're adding dates to the end of the Train tour.

And the reissue of Wreck, the album, will be out this summer. It's got 3 new songs on it and all new photos, new credits, and the new Wreck (the song).

I've also bought a few new Alice books (Through The Looking Glass and Adventures In Wonderland and other fun things.) I love that stuff. I collect it and I love it. I want to be Alice.

Lexi has been on a catnip binge as her dealer gets bored at around 5:00 every night. But she loves it when I'm home. She sleeps with me and wakes me up every morning.

What I need now is my Boys, my Bus, and a show every night. And you, my fine friends to meet us as we invade your towns.

xo Anna

05.22.06
Let me begin by saying HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY TARAH!!!

Big plans in the next couple weeks. Opening for Train will be very exciting. I love that band and before that I'll be opening for Nick Lachey.

I'm newly a fan of his with that sad song he's been singing. And some gigs with Ms. Bedingfield. I played with her once before and I think she's a nice chick...and we are the girls of summer!
Wanna see my list of favorite girl singers?.....
Not in any real order.....
1. Billie Holiday
2. Fiona Apple
3. Tori Amos
4. Stevie Nicks
5. Gwen Stefani
6. Imogen Heap
7. Mazzy Star
8. Cheryl Crow
9. Joni Mitchell
10. My Mom
But I prefer the sound of male vocals.

Thank you so very much to everyone who has been calling in and requesting Breathe at radio and VH1. The result has been that Breathe is climbing higher on charts (some that it was never on before) and there are now greater possibilities of getting the new Wreck and a new reissue of the original album with new photos and songs to the public. Then all I need to do is convince the universe that I should be touring, touring, touring right now and once I've taken the first album as far as the universe will let me, I can go back into the studio and produce some new stuff. Till then, keep on calling or texting cause it's working wonders and if you can catapult me to Top 10, Sony will give you each a billion dollars and a car. No, not really, but they'll be very happy with all of us. Thank you again for being such a huge part of my support system. I don't know any other artist who has so many dedicated friends. I promise I'll keep on making it worth it.

xo Anna

5.06.06
What an amazing weekend I just had. I spent the last few days in Boston where I received the first Rising Star Award at the 9th Annual Magic 106.7 Exceptional Women Awards. What a tremendous honor. I see that someone posted a link with information about the program and this year's honorees and I encourage you to read about it. I met some very inspirational women and I left feeling like I have so much more to do with my life in terms of being charitable, courageous, and a good example to other women. I am proud to have been a part of the event. I have to brag that I got a chance to spend some time with Doris Roberts, who won the Living Legend Award. She offered some of the best advice I've ever heard from someone in the entertainment industry and although she is much younger than my Grammie (who would be 100 this year) she reminded me of her in her wit and enthusiasm. I hope when I have as much experience as she has, I still love my job as much as she does. And I really think I will.


I have to thank everybody for calling local top 40 stations and requesting Breathe. I know you all saw it fading away a bit and thanks to you (and Grey's Anatomy) it's on the charts and doing well. Go look in Billboard magazine and pat yourselves on the back. If you and I keep up the good work, we might get some great new stuff out of it and my new version of Wreck Of The Day with my fabulous band and the amazing Rami Jaffe (The Wallflowers) lending their musical genius will most certainly see the light of day. You guys are the greatest.

xo Anna

5.02.06
Hey, how 'bout little California girl opening for Sting in Vegas?! It was very exciting and he is a very sweet person. Quite the gentleman, as is Tiger Woods, who arranged the event. Tiger Woods has put together a program dedicated to building places where kids can go to learn and interact with teachers and each other. I think it's a beautiful cause because I think sometimes kids don't know how far they can go or how possible their dreams are unless someone shows them their options and encourages them to make it happen. I don't know if I would have continued with music outside my bedroom if it hadn't been for people telling me I could when I was very young. I had a great support system, but not every child does. So big thanks to Tiger Woods for helping to build one for them.

Of course, Sting puts on a great show. He's mesmerizing and I got the feeling that if he were muted, I'd still know what song he was singing by watching his facial expressions and body language. After years of singing his songs, he still sings them as if for the very first time. It was very inspiring.

In other news, I lost $3, won $20, lost $5, won $2, lost $4, spent the rest on an overpriced pretzel with mustard, and I hate gambling. I started out with a 20 and ended up with a tummy ache!

Until next time, congrats on SAT's (I scored in the late eights so don't feel bad. There is life after the SAT's) and moving, and birthdays, and take good care of yourselves.

xoAnna

04.15.06
What a month!...
I just woke up in my own bed and finally I'm getting around to taking care of my friends and family. I gave my Mom all her birthday gifts..albeit a month after her birthday, and now I'm catching up with you guys.

So, what started with a hostage situation in Moncton, ended with a great gig and a sip of champagne in San Francisco. The San Francisco show was the last night of my tour and it was a headlining gig. What a thrill to play a show to a room full of people who are there just to hear my songs...and see my new shoes! However, the guy who opened for me was reason enough to buy a ticket. His name is Eliot Morris and he has a record coming out pretty soon. He's a fantastic songwriter ( even has a few that I wish I'd written), he has a beautiful voice, and he's cute as a button. As for his personality, for those of you who know my band, he fits in like one of us. A brother to the Nalick posse already. I love his work so I recommend you go get his stuff as soon as possible (www.eliotmorris.com) That night in SF I also got to hang out with my family and my friends Amber (and her friends and family) and Laurel and her Mom and friend.

I have so many memories from this last run. My birthday party back stage with my band, the fabulous music that filled the air the night I stayed in the hotel that sat above a glorious tranny/karaoke bar on accident. I waited for hours to hear the dance version of Breathe, but alas, it never happened. I played a headlining gig in Seattle that oversold by so much that we had to play two shows in one night and they both sold out. And then there was the not headlining show where the sound system had a problem and the audience was talking so loud and so much that when I played Wreck I couldn't hear myself at all and I wanted to cry and run away. But I didn't, and everything that happened on this tour, good or bad, I lived to tell about it.

The day after the tour I drove to meet my band and the amazing Steve Lillywhite at the studio where Steve spent the next three days with us and produced a new version of "Wreck of the Day" (the song). He is incredibly talented and my band is the best band a girl could have and "Wreck" sounds AMAZING. Depending on how "Breathe" does at radio, I might be able to make a next single out of the new "Wreck" (see the last email).

And finally, yesterday I had an 11 hour long photo shoot with photographer Andrew Macpherson. He was so easy to work with and so very talented and believe it or not, after working with Steve and Andrew over a period of a few days (both of whom have done fantastic work with U2) I had a dream last night that I was hanging out with Bono and my friend Juniah who is originally from Kenya and we were all in Africa somewhere trying to do some good. Now that is good dream!

Today I'm going to try and unpack my life and tomorrow church is the only thing on my list. Maybe I'll hide some eggs and get Lexi stoned too. Catnip and Easter eggs...an ideal day-off combination.

Anna

3.29.06
Hey Kids!
I'm heading into Canada right now...the driver is waiting for me outside of this cafe. We're actually gonna sail the bus over on a ferry. I turn 22 tomorrow! How 'bout that. I think I'm gonna wait till I get home to celebrate though.

Last night was amazing. I sang Breathe on stage in Spokane, Washington and the audience gave me a 2 minute long standing ovation...before the set was even over. It made me giggle and even tear up a bit. And today I met a cool group of people in a restaurant called Truffles By The Sea, in Blain, Washington, who knew the song, served us a fantastic breakfast, and took photos with me and the band. This place was like the "Empire Records" of resaurants.

I really need to be on my way, but first I have a request to make.
Imagine there are secret agents out there watching to see how many times Breathe gets played on the radio. Imagine that their research will decide what happens next for me and my record. You, my friends can help me GREATLY by calling in to your local Top 40 radio stations (the pop radio stations) and requesting Breathe as often as you can...or as often as you'd like to hear it! Bug 'em to play it whether or not they already do and good things will happen in all of our musical futures. Lets show those "secret agents" how things work in our little circle of friends. With your help we can take Breathe to the top and keep things going strong. I know I can count on you, I REALLY appreciate your help and I just love you guys. See you on the road!!!

xo Anna

3.22.06
I am so sorry it's been such a long time since my last entry. I had some trouble getting online in Canada. It was a fun trip and people there were very nice. My favorite area was right on the East coast in a place that is known as the oldest part of Canada. I wandered through a grave yard that had stones dating back to births in the early 1800's.

I stayed in a little bed and breakfast that reminded me of old movies I've seen. As always, Rob and his group and his fans were amazing. We'll be meeting up again in a day or so, and in the meantime, I'm the headliner! I played in Chicago last night and really had a lot of fun. I love that Mr. Thomas, but I sure could get used to being first on the bill!

It's been great to see some familiar faces on the road. Karen and KarenAmy and many other of you have spoiled me with early birthday gifts. I'll be turning 22 in Victoria, Canada on the 30th, but my family and I will be celebrating when I get home. Also, if you happen to see a dude with a crew cut wearing army print pants, hanging out around the bus, say hi to him. That's Roy, our new driver. He's very nice and doesn't take no crap from nobody. Perfect for me and my sometimes unruly band.

So, if you're gonna come see a show soon...check out my new microphone. Shure gave it to me. It sounds amazing and it's cordless so I can wear my big tall shoes on stage without fear of tripping over the dang cord!

Take care, everybody.
xo Anna

2.27.06
Hey, I went on oursideofthestereo. Great poetry, guys! I was impressed. ÊSo, as far as releasing Life and Soldier. Soldier sounds kinda like Wreck. It's the story of the same friend of mine who was "21 on Ft. Bliss." By the way, he's home now and his family and friends couldn't be happier. I'm not around lately, but I hear his wife and baby are doing fantastic. Thank you for your prayers for him and people like him. "Life" on the other hand might be fun to put on the next record. You guys reminded me...I like that one.

ÊSo, to those of you who wrote about being too scared to say hi to me - please don't be. I know I look like I'm in a rush when I'm signing. It's usually because venues have rules for when we have to be cleared out of there and if we go overtime we have to pay a lot of money. And I never have the heart to turn people away. I figure, if you're willing to stand in line, I'm willing to stick around to say hi until they kick me out...which has happened a few times before.

ÊThose were some cool photos you found. I looked Fabulous! They were actually taken way before 5-11-05. Maybe closer to about 4 months earlier. My hair wasn't that short, just tied back.. I liked the look of it though. Maybe someday I'll go for the bob. It's awful cute. And that ring is the one my Dad made. It's white gold and the stone is a teal topaz. His birthstone, my color(march=aquamarine).

ÊTo Suni from Jersey. That is the coolest thing you could say, calling me different from the norm. I think part of the importance of an "image" is giving people the opportunity to "imagine" who you are. Never give too much away...in words or flesh. For example, check out photos and sketches of the old 1950's pin-up girls. In my opinion they're way sexier than the stuff in the "naughty mags" of today. Sometimes I wish I was someone else, but my songs help me like me, so it helps that I actually write and develop all my own shizzy!

ÊMeredith, I laughed all over again looking at your paper bag shots. But don't flatter yourself, it takes a lot more than you've shown me to get on my "freaks and weirdos" list. However, you are on the list of people who've made it into my own personal journal! Mocoman, isn't a "moco" a "booger?"

ÊOk, I want you to know that your complaints have not gone unheard. I know you don't like the new message board. We're working on it.

xo Anna

PS...I think some good things are on the rise, so stay tuned. Hope to see you on the road. Oh! And one more thing... "Dinner At Eight" is a lovely movie. You should watch it. Ê

2.03.06
So...what have I been up to?
Sundance was fun. I met Tommy Lee and finally got a chance to thank him for mentioning my song in Rolling Stone a while back. I also met a great designer named Bridget Shuster, who gave me an awesome bag and showed me a bunch of her purses, shoes, and belts that are just my style. I performed at a party honoring Matt Dillon and during "Paper Bag" the guy who played the bad guy with the glasses and the toupe in The Goonies cut right across the stage. I probably should have stopped in the middle of my set and asked for an autograph!

Speaking of Miss America, the girl I wanted won. You know, I used to be a ballerina. I quit at 15 or 16 cause I grew a very "girlish figure."

Which reminds me. My favorite girlscout cookies are Shortbread and those coconut ones. However, don't bother to share if you have some....I don't want my figure to get too "girlish."

You know, that Tyler/Nalick shot was quite hilarious. I laughed right out loud.

To answer some questions, I do only a few things with my left hand. Eat, write, cut with scissors, and use the blow dryer. Everything else I do righty. I can write with both, actually.
My band doesn't have a name. I call them The Brothers, My Pirates, or The Boys. I play Luis' guitar on stage and I have one almost exactly like it on the bus. I wrote Wreck... the album, on an old Ibanez.
I left St. Lucy's after freshman year cause I though it would offer me more options. Hated public school sophomore year. Went back to SL Junior year on probation for being a bit behind in math, and then got kicked out for getting a D in math and having a little too much fun in class. I graduated from the public school and was always writing songs in my head cause I didn't have many friends and I wanted to look busy.
I read and wrote a lot that year and music was my safe place. I friggin' hated high school as a whole. But obviously God had a plan for it all, cause a year later I had a record deal. On my demo...since you were wondering, was Paper Bag, Citadel, Wreck, and two other songs called Life and Soldier.

Thank you to everyone who came to see me at Letterman and Carson. I hope you had fun. And hello to my new friend from Greece. Spread the word, Baby. I have a feeling I'll be in the studio within the next 5 months...after some here and there gigs and another Rob Thomas tour. I still want those platinum earrings my Dad promised to make me if my record went platinum, and he says the "NOW 19" going platinum doesn't count. C'mon, help a girl get some bling!

As for me covering songs, I don't think I could cover Hallelujah. Nobody does it justice like Buckley did. My favorite Elliot Smith song is Alameda. I love "Love" so I sang it out loud for you, SerenityWill.

P.S. No name calling, and I'm not crazy...I'm just a little unwell.

1.09.06
Hello everybody,
I just spent the last hour scanning the message board and I wanted to drop in to say...Hello everybody. In response to a few of you.....

Ned, not Rich! I'm so embarrassed. I'm awful with names, great with faces. I knew it was one syllable. But we should all really feel bad for the fat cat who's now having an identity crisis cause his name has been Rich for months and now I've changed it to Ned. Poor thing, he's all confused.

So, to answer the question of my own talk show. I can't imagine having a talk show. Not my thing. But I would love to interview Bono, my Grandma Louise who died when I was 14, Lexi, Hoot Borden (my awesome bus driver who's driven EVERYBODY) and Mary (Mother of Jesus). You didn't give me guidelines so I stretched my imagination a bit. And I wouldn't do it on TV. Maybe at my parents house by the fire place. I dunno.

To 2:01AM.... What is this evil talk of the PSL being out of circulation already? It's still in full force where I am. I called just now to make sure. Don't scare me like that! It'll be around till February-ish. And maybe forever if they receive my letters in time. Just kidding. Wow. We singers really have our own special brand of crazy now don't we?!

Australia is still on our plans for the future, but no set dates yet. There are exciting things ahead for this year, but I can't tell you til the Sony folks decide to post it all.

To KarenAmy and the "Friend" post: If you make two columns into people you like and people you'd like to FedEx to outer space, you can title your two columns whatever you like. Your friends are people you dig. You're all my friends because you perk me up when I'm sad and you listen to me. Granted, there will be times when we disappoint each other, but that's life. From what we know of each other, we dig each other. So sure, call me your friend, just don't call me late for dinner.

Well, I'm in the middle of writing a song and doing some laundry. You know when the clothes in the dryer are so warm that you just wanna crawl in there and sleep? I love that. Ok, Gotta go.

xo Anna

1.03.06
Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in to the site to remind me of the stuff that happened these last few months. Let, you're so smart with the postings. I don't know how you guys know how to do all this stuff. I'm technologically impaired. Pen and paper is my thing. Thanks for the tip off to livewire too.

I do remember all of you. Your time, gifts, and friendliness have made this tour even more amazing. By the way, I finally got around to listening to my CDs and I quite enjoyed them. Ms. Hoffman is very talented and my cover disc is awesome! Wade, you made me get all emotional. And "Sneeze (I've got flem)" was hilarious, albeit disgusting. You should do a followup called "Sleep (Tylenol PM)".......

I love my big fat kitty stuffed animal. From Rich, right? It got dirty, so like the psycho I am, I gave it a handiwipe bath. "Are you down with OCD. Yeah you know me." Smashley, I know who you are and I can't believe you're using that name when you yelled at me in 6th grade for calling you that. "Rob is such a good guy"....guess who had him on her trapper-keeper?......Smashley? AP- Go ahead, keep kissing up. I drew your name this year. Heeheehee.

xo Anna

12.22.05
Hello everyone. I'M HOME!!! Just got in last night. It's taken all night and I'm still working on unpacking. I have Christmas gifts and clothes and mail and packages to contend with. I needed a break. I read a bit on the board. My shoes are not stupid expensive.....in fact, the silver ones are my only big purchase in a long time...they are at BCBG. I really dig BCBG, but I like Shoe Warehouse too. And one pair of boots I wear all the time actually belong to my friend Sean's little sister Caitlyn. I've been borrowing them since high school....they probably don't even fit her anymore. I'm a bargain shopper, so a lot of the fancy stuff I have is in a separate budget for special occasions. I grew up shopping at Ross and making my formal dresses with my Mom. By the way....did ya'll like my dress at the RMAs? It's from BCBG too and I did all my own alterations with a sewing kit in the hotel the night before. It used to be longer. I resewed the feathers so you could see my boots. And I sewed myself into it so I looked curvy and girlie. Back stage I told Steve Harvey that I was nervous and he said, "Girl, just breathe!" It cracked me up, but the truth was, I couldn't breathe cause I was packed into that dress. Ironic, eh?

So I need your help.....first of all, I want to see the photos from the RMAs. So I came to you guys, but I can't figure out how to find the pictures you're talking about. I wanna see the ones with Crossfade. They're my rock brothers! And another favor....you see, I keep a journal of my own, but I've been so busy that I haven't written in two months and I've forgotten stuff. Will you help me by posting some of your memories from when I was in your town? Wardrobe malfunction and Angel Rob...got those. If we talked, remind me. I need to get ya'll in there. Thanks everybody. I'll be looking for you. Happy and Merry everything! I've gotta go take the kitty pot (catnip) away from Lex before she embarrasses herself and my chosen gift wrapping music this year is The Beatles' White Album. SO good!

xo Anna

12.19.05
I'm having one of those moments right now when you realize just what exactly is going on in your world and how far you've really come. Most of the time I feel like I'm just spinning in circles, but right now at 5pm on the bus ride to Michigan, I'm experiencing a rare moment of calm and clarity.

It’s very snowy outside and I'm wrapped in a blanket, working on one of my many art projects on the bus. I'm listening to Oasis and the record just got to "Champagne Supernova." I remember when I was in 7th grade and I had the biggest crush on a kid named Jeff, who in my imagination was supposed to ask me to dance at my first school dance when this song played. He never did, but ironically, for part of my project I'm using pieces of the dress I wore to that dance. It's pale blue and has little sleeves and my band is poking fun at me, saying that its no wonder Jeff never asked me to dance if that's what I was wearing. They are typical brothers. I love 'em.

Another song I loved in junior high school was "Push" by Matchbox 20. My friend Heather loved their song, "Rainmaker," and always made me sing it to her. But "Push" was mine and for some reason it always made me kinda tearful. They played that song at the old dance too, and a few nights ago I sang it on stage with Rob Thomas. How very surreal. Junior high was only 7 years ago and in that time I've gone from sitting in class wondering if maybe one day all those other kids would listen to my songs and think I'm cool like they thought Rob was cool, to actually singing those songs that used to affect me so much...on stage with the people who wrote them. Between that and singing songs with Jakob Dylan a few months ago, I have to admit that my inner 7th grader is awestruck and dumbfounded by how cool this all is. Granted, the folks I knew in junior high probably still think I'm a dork, but if I could go back and tell my 7th grade self that one day I'd have my very own bus and would sing with all those guys who my friends cut out pictures of to put on their trapper keepers, the guys I envied for their talent and ability to affect me through their music...I probably wouldn't believe me. However, I might not have been so bummed when Jeff didn't ask me to dance. Or maybe I still would've been.

I think this is a good lesson to anybody who can closely relate to my stories of myself as a kid. You never know how close at hand those seemingly unattainable dreams are. And I don't mean to sound like a narcissist, but to any junior high kid out there who might look at me like I looked at Rob and Jakob when I was in junior high school, I hope some day you can walk up and sing my songs with me. Just try not to sing them better than me, or I might have to go back to my bus and cry to "Champagne Supernova!"

xo Anna

Thank you to everyone who's come out to support us on the road and I look forward to seeing everyone at upcoming shows.

xo Anna

10.05.05
I just spent the last few days making the music video for the next single, "In The Rough." It was directed by Matt McDermitt and produced by Gina Leonard with executive producers Joseph Kahn and Jamie Kohn. I was really impressed by Matt's work. He was easy to take direction from and he wove my story of what lies behind the song into what I believe will be a really great video.

Actually, I was really impressed by the work of a lot of the people on the shoot. The set designer, David Courtemarche, was a genius! And the hair, make-up, and stylist crew made magic out of a tired Nalick at 6 in the morning and a dress that the stylist, Marjan Malakpour actually remade the night before and sewed me into so it would fit me like a glove.

For those of you who saw pictures, I have to admit that there is no fancy chemical in the water in Japan that makes your hair grow long and wavy. That was the magic of the amazing Rob Talley and some hair that once belonged to someone else. I am trying to grow mine out though, so there's a preview.

We shot in an old LA mansion built in 1905 that was falling apart a bit. But don't be fooled into thinking that it's all glamour. Not to kill the mystery or anything, but it was about 90 degrees in the house and I was sewn into a gorgeous silk gown that wrinkled so easily in the heat that I couldn't sit down for most of the day and I couldn't move my arms too much because the shiny, oily lotion on them would get on the dress. I'm a bad lip-syncher so I sang "In The Rough" on repeat for two days till my throat was just that. Also, at some point in time, the old owners of the house supposedly set the place on fire, so in a particular shot I have soot and ash in my eyes and all over my skin. But there again, my make-up fairy, Agostina Lombardo (she did the last video too) came to the rescue. If it wasn't for the patience and talent of my two day beauty crew, I might not have made it for more than a few minutes before I threw all the pretty stuff off and put on my SpongeBob pajama pants...and I certainly wouldn't have looked so fancy then. Looking back on the whole thing, I realize yet again how extremely lucky I am to be able to experience stuff like this. It was fun and very interesting and despite some minor discomforts, I felt pretty. However, my place is still on stage singing or in my room writing, so don't look forward to my big screen debut any time soon.

And speaking of that, I'm off to the airport tomorrow to fly to meet my bus in New York. Wow! Videos, airplanes, tourbuses...I am a VERY lucky girl. In fact, I think I'm gonna go say some prayers and thank some lucky stars because I have no idea what I've done to deserve all this.

Hope to see ya'll on the road. Give some love to Mama Nalick, we're sad to be leaving each other again after hardly any time together. She really appreciates how sweet all my friends are. And of course I am so very grateful as well.

Good-bye my Looooooooooove!
xo Anna

9.28.05
To all my friends on the message board. I just went on and read from the last couple days. Oh my goodness, you guys are funny! I like that you all ran with the whole "A Hole" thing. My friend in Japan who posted that was a little embarrassed, but also quite entertained when she found out about that mistake in translation. I thought it was funny too. Gotta Wear Shades had me laughing so hard I cried when I read "Tell that A Hole to come home." I hope it's clear that my name in fact means "Hole"....like in the ground. Don't give my band any more fodder! They don't need it!

By the way, Bad Ronald was is Japan, but only for a couple days for the two shows. The band still stands. A happy foursome.

Thanks for the votes for the Seventeen Entertainment Awards. I wouldn't worry too much about anybody getting tied up in a popularity contest. I was unpopular when I was seventeen and now that I'm 21, I spend all my time hanging out with 30-something year old rock dudes who think I'm still a dork and remind of that anytime I get too Duchess-y.

Hey Sum, I didn't know you were a singer! That's wicked cool.

So...In My Head is about...Psych! Not telling. I read that someone on the board is a Harry Potter fan. I just started reading book one on the plane ride back from Japan, where I did in fact lose a ring, but not the one my Dad gave me. It was a different one that meant a lot to me. I bought a replacement right away because I could feel it missing and it made me all superstitious when I had to perform. I wear 5 rings that I never take off. Maybe Papa Nalick can remake the one I lost. He's pretty magical like that.

I'm glad you think my picture at 14 was cute. Did you really think I'd send one that showed off what a nerd I was in 9th grade. I'm honest but I'm not crazy!

Ok, I have a day off and I don't know what to do with myself. I think I'll go buy some catnip and watch Lexi go berserk. Maybe some treats too in case she gets the munchies!

xo Hole

9.26.05
I just got home not too long ago and I am exhausted beyond belief. I miss Japan and I miss my friends there. Over the week and a half, Moemi, Chino, Nao, Akiko, Yoshi, Ukari and Toshi to name a few, became my friends and trusted business associates. My band and I really had an amazing time.

It all started at LAX when I got out of the car and ran right into the Wallflowers. I certainly didn't expect to see them there, but I'm glad I did, as they gave me some tips and pointers on how to get along socially and etiquette-wise in Japan.

It wasn't too hard to get into the swing of things once the jet-lag wore off. I ate the food. Of course it was strange to a me as a foreigner, but I found things I liked.....Lotus root in a sort of mayonnaise, sticky rice, and green tea ice cream. One place served the best chicken wings I've ever tasted and another place served a plate of stuff that I can only describe as what people in the Midwest call "Hot-dish." Anyhow, it was "Oishii" which means "delicious." Also, I know they make green tea frappuccinos at Starbucks in the US but the ones in Japan are so good it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. You have to figure, Japanese people know how to do green tea! The shopping is amazing too! Being an American girl, and a Gwen Stefani fan, I had to check out what Harajuku was all about. It's something to behold, it really is. The main street was crawling with people and there is no end to the stores filled with the coolest and cutest clothings, shoes, and jewelry I've ever seen. In my opinion, the side-streets are where you wanna go. I've never been much of a shopper, but that is because I can never find stores I like. I'm a fan of Anthropologie in the States with it's boutique vibe and hip girlie stuff, and there are a hundred little boutique shops like that hidden all over Harajuku with great shoes, clothes, jewelry, and hats. I bought a few "kawaii" which means "cute" pieces that I look forward to wearing at shows.

One more funny story for you. I don't like alcohol, so saki was off my list of things to enjoy, but my band drank it at night with dinner. However, no one thought to tell them the traditions involved with drinking Saki. You're not supposed to fill your own glass. You sip it, and when your glass is empty, someone else at the table fills it for you right away. Being that the glasses are so small, the boys thought you were supposed to drink them like shots. And every time they took a shot, someone would fill their glass. In order not to be rude, they'd just shoot that one too. Don't get me wrong, my boys can throw down, but after a few hours at dinner, which always consists of many courses, they got a little nervous and a lot silly. It wasn't till the next day that someone finally told them the right way to do it. 24 hours and about 40 water bottles later they were fine. Lesson learned. I don't know how they did it. I did take one celebratory shot and it made me see stars!

So here's to a very busy, very fun journey to the other side of the world. I miss my friends and hope to return soon.

xo Anna

9.16.05
Guess who just got back from a much needed vacation? Me me me!
I just had two and a half glorious weeks off. My first days off in months and months and I used my time wisely.

I went with my best friend to Disney Land and then we stayed at a friend's house to go fishing on the lake that's in their back yard. I caught my first fish...a little one....and threw him back after apologizing for giving him what I can only imagine was an unwanted lip-piercing. One weekend I helped celebrate my new best friend Kabe's 7th birthday by winning the cake fight and tying with his Uncle in the watermelon eating contest. It was awesome! I also finished the books I've been reading, Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwell and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Quite a range of interests I've got there, eh?

I have to finally thank all of the people who attended the Anaheim House of Blues show wearing hats for my Auntie Jan. A couple weeks ago she passed away from cancer, but I know it meant a lot to her that night to have a whole audience singing for her up in the balcony. She had a beautiful funeral/celebration of life, that she had planned every detail of, and I learned a valuable lesson from her about living every day to its fullest, which is something she had been doing long before she ever knew she had cancer. So if you're reading this and you think of it, send some prayers and good thoughts in Jan's and her family's direction. Thank you again.

So, tomorrow I leave for a week in Japan. My first trip. I'm not really looking forward to the long flight, but I am looking forward to the shopping...if I have some time. And if I do find the time, you may never hear from me again as I plan to get sucked into the "shoes and things I can't really afford" vortex.

xo Anna

8.25.05
I just read through my message board and found the discussion about the lyrics to "Home.' The people who guessed it was about Lexi were correct. (But I'm very impressed with all the creative possibilities everyone came up with.) The line is "Lex in the window sill." It's Lexi, my obese Persian mix. My band makes fun of me for talking about her so much. If they knew her they'd love her. "Home" is a song I wrote about two and a half years ago in New York and it just didn't make the cut for the album. Here are the "official lyrics."

Home
God, it's gorgeous in the city
And what's my home like now?
In a room where we share a pillow
And Lex in the window sill
And you let me lay my burdens down

Chorus - Here, take my bed
Lay your head in my lap again
Let me sing to your soul
Cause where you go is where I'll be home Have I seen you in my audience?
Have I passed you in my car?
When I open my lips to sing
Like an echo sing back to me
And I'll let you lay your burdens down Chorus This second story's lonely
Only the headlights hear me harmonizing with the sirens
I want you to read me like my diary
Don't even know your name
My home

God it's gorgeous in the city
But what's my home like now?

Thank you to everyone who took interest in the meaning of this song. That was fun for me.
xoxo Anna

8.15.05
I'm finally home for a few days after many months of touring with The Wallflowers and Howie Day. I've learned a lot on this tour and I've compiled a list of 10 lessons I took home with me on this round.

1. This is the most important one. You can't possibly judge a book by it's album cover. I've actually learned this one before in other situations and I'll probably relearn it again. Over the last several months I've met and played with a lot of really cool people. Even I'm guilty of judging some folks based on a first meeting or an interview I read once. What a miserable thing to do! I should know better. I found some really amazing connections to people that I never expected to relate to and I consider myself lucky to have spent time with them.

2. Some artists have fans. I have friends. I've been taken care of on the road by wonderful strangers who share a song in common with me. I got sick on this run and I was given flowers, cards, hugs, smiles, and chicken soup to help make me feel better. I am so grateful and I hope I can in some way return that kindness someday.

3. All Bran is the breakfast of champions.

4. I don't like alcohol. Not beer, wine, whiskey, or those fruity sweet drinks. I have yet to acquire a taste for it. Maybe by 22. Maybe I'd rather just have a latte.

5. I LOVE my band. I knew I liked them, but I just love them now. They are my music brothers and it's worth getting picked on as the token little sister, if it means I get to hang out with them. They are the coolest guys I know.

6. Newport, Rhode Island is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. I want to go back there.

7. Dancing in the rain in Orlando is good times. Passing out in Sacramento is bad times.

8. Jumping off amps on stage is really fun, but it looks way cooler when Howie does it . Not that that's gonna stop me.

9. Throwing things into the audience is NEVER a good idea. Just one month after I was forgiven by the guy in Minneapolis who I attempted to dart with a plastic flower, I lost control of a water bottle and clocked an innocent bystander in Sacramento. My desperate apologies. Lesson learned.

10. Nothing beats coming home. Nothing beats sleeping in my own bed. There is no summer like the one in Southern California.......but I miss the road.

Hope to see you all soon,
xo Anna

7.18.05
I just got home last night and I woke up this morning already missing the band, the bus and The Wallflowers. I really had an amazing time on the road and I learned a lot about myself, my band, and my goals. People were so sweet to me out there and I thank everyone who came out to support the shows and events. You are a huge part of what made these last two months a successful adventure.

I also learned a lot from the Wallflowers in the time we spent together. They are the most gracious people and a they taught me so much about how I hope to be when I'm the headliner. I felt at home the whole time and to finally put the "what's Jakob like?" question to rest...he is a beautiful person and I'm proud to have adopted him and all the boys as my road-brothers. I recommend giving Rebel,Sweetheart (their new album) a listen. It's a good one.

So here I've got a couple of days of work in LA, Lexi is fatter than she was when I left her, and my local Starbucks has gone to pieces without me....or so I've been telling myself. I've got some catching up to do.

xo Anna

7.08.05
I'm writing this entry at 9AM from a cute little restaraunt in Madison Wisconsin. The Midwest sure knows how to do breakfast! These eggs are amazing.

I spent a few weeks flying around doing press for Wreck of the Day in the U.S. and Canada and in between we played a few summer festivals. We were in Tucson on the 4th of July and in Memphis on the 3rd where we played a show with The Afters (one of my new very favorite bands.) A few days ago we met up with our bus and the Wallflowers and for the next few weeks we'll be taking our musical traveling circus around the Midwest and East coast. I hope to see you on the road.

Alright, less talk...more breakfast.
xo Anna Bananas (B.A.N.A.N.A.S.)

6.14.05
These first few days on the road with the Wallflowers have been really great, although, a little surreal. It seems like only yesterday I was 13 and warming up to Bringing Down The Horse in my ballet class. Or just last week I was a Freshman at my Catholic all-girls school with my friend Mimi who had a massive crush on Jacob Dylan. Now here I am opening for him only a few years later and having an amazing time. The Wallflowers are fantastic live...and Mimi, if you're out there, Jacob is even cuter in person.

And my band is kicking butt as usual. We have a day off today and we're only about 20 minutes away from Niagara Falls, so we're on our way to check that out before we enjoy our first annual Nalick Band Barbecue.

Huge thanks to everyone who has come out to lend a little support. I really appreciate your making the whole process even more exciting.

xo Anna

Like, when I got into my room, I followed directions and stuck my room key into a slot that activated the light switches in my room. Next I headed into the restroom and pulled a long chord hanging from the ceiling that turned on the light in there, making it the only light in the hotel room. I removed the key from the slot and placed it in my wallet so I wouldn't misplace it and as I began to unpack my suitcase, the bathroom light went out. I had arms full of clothes and I stumbled across the room to the light chord in the bedroom. However, as soon as I pulled the chord, a siren went off. I dropped all my stuff and panicked, thinking that maybe the place was on fire and here I was stuck in the dark. When my hotel phone rang, I tripped and fell all over the room with a series of bumps and crashes and finally answered to a sweet English accent on the other line asking, "Is there a problem miss?" I answered, "Yeah, the alarm is going off in your hotel! What's wrong?!" He was quiet for a second and then asked, "Are you all right?" "Um, yeah. I'm okay." And he finally clued me in, saying, "Miss, it seems you've set off the alarm in your room. You're going to have to press the button on the far wall to turn it off." So I gathered all my pride, feeling like a total dork and I stumbled back across the room to turn off the siren. And such is my first memory of London.

It really is gorgeous, but you have to see it to understand it. Even the photos I took don't capture how big and beautiful it is. It's sort of like pressing your nose against a giant canvas and trying to get a good look. Three days wasn't enough time to take it all in.

Well, hope to see ya'll on the road!
xo Anna

5.23.05
Believe it or not, this is the first chance I've had in over 6 weeks to sit down and write in my journal. Looking back at my itinerary, I have no idea how I made it without spontaneously combusting. And this is still only the beginning.

A typical day in the life of Anna Nalick...
The day starts between 6 & 7am for radio interviews or a TV appearance. Then I’ll do an acoustic performance for radio listeners, followed by an in-store performance at the local Borders. Top it all off with a few more radio events, a couple phone interviews, a rehearsal, an evening flight to the next city, dinner with my band, a call to my parents and my best friend, proceeded by passing out by 1 or 2:00AM.

Being busy is definitely good though. Over the last month and a half I've met some really amazing people and played some great shows. Opening for Five For Fighting and The Wallflowers in Boston was awesome...despite the rain. Opening for Gavin DeGraw in North Carolina was fun too.

One of my favorite events was the performance on The Tonight Show. Jay is a very gracious host and it was a very comfortable atmosphere. I was so relaxed I decided at the last minute to do my acapella version of the last verse of "Breathe". This is something I do spontaneously now and then, and now it's part of the music video. Oh! By the way, I saw the video for the first time when I was in NY. I was flipping channels and I passed by VH1 and thought, hey, that girl is a cutie....only to scan back when I realized it was me! My compliments go out to Carlos and Agostina, The Beauty Crew.

Another event surrounding the Tonight Show was the little show I put on later that night at the Acapulco across the street from the studio. My whole family was there, so we celebrated the night with a toast. I had my usual fruity concoction -I don't really drink-I'll just have a Kool-aid with a teaspoon of something that couldn't get Lexi (my obese cat) drunk. And of course it made me all silly, so it didn't take much effort for my parents to get me to sing karaoke. I was more nervous to do that then I was to sing on Leno! I wanted to sing a song that I knew everyone would like, so I chose to sing "No Rain" by Blind Melon. Everyone sang along. As soon as I finished, I called Brad and Christopher (who co-produced my record) and told them what I'd done to their song, further cementing my "crazy little sister" role in their lives.

Anyhow, I'm on a little break for a couple days, so I'm going to have to go take a nap now (because I can...WooHoo!) and I hope this message finds you well.

xo Anna

4.27.05
Thank you so much to everybody out there supporting me and my little music baby. I never imagined that sitting on my bed, writing songs for myself and my friends would lead to so much love and so many beautiful connections to so many people. It's a bit overwhelming! I'm entirely humbled by your kind comments and your willingness to share so much of yourselves with me. To those of you that I met in Borders...you folks are awesome! Thank you for waiting in line and being my friends...if only for a few seconds.

To everyone buying the record...I so hope you like it and thank you for your support. My heart absolutely goes out to those of you who have shared with me your struggles, fears, and aspirations, the things that hurt you and the things that make you smile. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. These connections on such a very human level are so important in life, and because of your openness with me and each other, I can't remember the last time I felt entirely alone in anything I might be feeling.

Big huge thanks to everyone who's written to my darling little Mommie. She too is overwhelmed by the wonderful messages. My parents aren't so different than the parents of any child who goes off to college. Their house feels a little empty and my room still looks the same as it did when I was in high school, but how lucky they are that as I run all over the US and beyond, there are people looking out for their Girl and taking the time to be so sweet to me. Goodness, I got all weepy!

Thank you Thank you Thank you.
xo Anna

4.18.05
I can't believe there's only 1 day left until this album FINALLY comes out in stores! Yesterday I stopped by a Warehouse store in Burbank and found a blow-up of my album cover in a frame on the back wall. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I immediately went to my gym because I thought...I want to be buff by the time my album hits stores and I only have a day left! I feel like I'm preparing myself for my first high school dance and cramming for college finals all at the same time. It's so great to hear that so many people have "got my back"...Miss Karen Amy.

Which reminds me...To my cousin Amy- Don't cwy, widdo guy. Jay Leno isn't big and scary. I'll be okay....oh, you mean because I'll be nervous? Nah, I've sung that song a thousand times...just not in front of the whole nation....Oh my goodness, I'll be singing in front of the entire nation! Go ahead...cry. And call me too...we can talk about boys!

Tegan-I'm glad " Breathe" and music in general makes you feel better. I'm the same way. In fact, I wrote all of the songs on Wreck of the Day with just that purpose. I feel so lucky that now they can make other folks feel better too. As for stage fright, I've got a story...I sang constantly as a kid. In the house, in the classroom, in the bathroom (great acoustics). When I was 12, I fearlessly accepted an offer to sing in my friend Karen's Fourth of July Parade. However, only a few words into the song, my throat just closed up and I choked. I finished the song, but I did so with little chokes here and there. After that, I didn't sing an audible note for 3 years until my friend Josh, who I had a desperate crush on at the time, wanted to start a band. It wasn't easy, but I eventually got over it. In the meantime, I wrote like crazy. I love singing, but writing is my passion. I'm sure you understand, I just could never do without it.

Screamin3 - So I guess The Cure was fibbing when they swore that boys don't cry. No shame in it. I like to see a boy who can shed a tear when he needs to.

To Karen, Amy and Skie9- Starbucks sounds delightful. My favorite drink was the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but they took it away from me (seasonal). So I've been enjoying my own concoction...a Vanilla Hazelnut Latte with whip (as they say). I look forward to meeting you two. And Skie, my best friend lives across the country too, and I miss him like crazy. Some nights we cook the same meal, rent the same DVD and synch the DVD's up to have movie night together over speaker phone. A few nights ago was Beans'n'Weenies and Blazing Saddles night. It was really fun and I recommend it.

Wreck of the Day-- In-stores tomorrow!!!

xo- Anna

4.16.05 - 11:00pm
I've read on the message board about a few people who have found solace in "Breathe." I thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting my song inspire a smile, a cry, or a change in attitude. I wrote Breathe intending to remind myself to accept what I couldn't change and look for a brighter future in my lessons learned. I'm now overwhelmed by how many people are doing the same thing right along with me and willing to share their experiences with me and each other.

I'm so excited for those of you who have already received the CD through Sony...with the signed journal attached. I hope you like it. I signed those journals while sitting at my parents kitchen table, and now that my Mom has received her copy, the journal has made it's way right back to where it started...the kitchen table.

I've never needed to "Breathe just breathe" (nobody can make fun of me as well as I can) more than I do now. Today I remembered that the record is almost officially out, I'm going to be on the Tonight Show on the 25th, and tomorrow I leave home for over a month straight on the road. I literally got a lump in my throat.

I too listen to music to ease my mind....here's my current i-pod mix...

The Killers-Mr. Brightside
Keane-Somewhere Only We Know
Jet-Look What You've Done
Tori Amos-Sweet The Sting
Jeff Buckley-Forget Her
Ari Hest-Anne Marie
Howie Day-Collide
Tori Amos-Winter
Switchfoot-Dare You To Move
Frou Frou- Breathe In
Modest Mouse-Float On
The Afters- Beautiful Love
Gwen Stefani-Rich Girl
FrankieJ/Baby Bash-Suga Suga
The Killers-Andy You're A Star
Ben Folds-Carrying Kathy
Snow Patrol-Run
Five For Fighting-Easy Tonight

All fairy recent and from several genres...I like to mix it up. And if any of the artists mentioned above happen to be checking out the Anna Nalick web-site, thank y