We sat down with Annabel Gutherz to chat about the complex emotions and insecurities involved in relationships with her new single, “Shame”.

April 12th, 2024 | Written by Sierra Madison

Canadian singer-songwriter Annabel Gutherz has returned with a captivating new single, “Shame,” enchanting listeners with her seamless blend of classic rock roots and contemporary pop flair. Collaborating with Mikal Blue and Bret “Epic” Mazur, Annabel dives deep into the complexity of the emotions and insecurities we all face in relationships. Her voice, clear and stirring, carries the weight of self-doubt and anxiety with lyrics that are sharp and graceful.

We chatted with Annabel about the intimate story behind “Shame” and what she’s been up to since the release of “Eclipse,” getting all the details on how she brought her creative vision, which is akin to a liberating drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, to life. She also reflects on the milestones achieved while crafting her debut album, "Loose Ends," with the legendary Dominique Messier, detailing the explorative moments that defined her artistic growth.

Drawing from the bold expressiveness of musical theatre and her admiration for a diverse array of artists, Annabel’s approach to songwriting is both honest and theatrically vivid. She brings the same storytelling passion to her children's literature venture, "Annie’s Pajammies," embodying authenticity across her creative expressions.

With insights from her formal education at Berklee College of Music and her multi-instrumental talents, Annabel discusses how her comprehensive musical background informs her exploration of new sounds and genre fluidity.

You’re adding your new single "Shame" to your already impressive discography, which is a unique blend of classic rock and modern pop. Can you share the story behind this song and how it connects with the emotional themes and musical evolution we've seen from you, especially following the release of "Eclipse"?

This song is a portrait of feeling insecure and doubtful in a relationship about your partner's ex (or exes), and ruminating over how you may or may not measure up. While the context of "Eclipse" is quite different from that of "Shame," both of these songs explore emotional themes of comparison, anxiety, and apprehension. Sonically, I wanted it to elicit the sensation of driving down the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows rolled down—warm, liberated, and carefree! Intending to create something timeless, I combined organic tones with synthetic textures for the production to evoke a sense of nostalgia and modernity! In terms of my musical evolution, this intention is at the cornerstone of what I hope to bring to every song! 

Your debut album, "Loose Ends," was a major milestone in your career, featuring a retro rock vibe co-produced by Dominique Messier. How did your collaboration with such an iconic figure influence the sound and direction of the album, and what personal milestones did you experience during its creation?

Working with Dominique was a dream come true, and an experience I will forever cherish. When I worked with Dominique, I was in a very exploratory musical moment in my career—I was still earning my Bachelor's Degree from Berklee College of Music, and defining my sound. Dominique gave me the space and freedom to try different musical styles and guided me through the motions of those soundscapes with his superlative expertise and talents. I navigated our sonic directionality, and Dominique skillfully charted our musical destination, a collaboration that culminated in my debut album! Almost every aspect of creating "Loose Ends" was a personal milestone, as I had never created music in such a professional and tactile way before. From working alongside the most proficient and masterful musicians to fleshing out production, to mixing, and mastering, every part of the process became a lesson learned and a significant mark in my creative journey!

From a young age, musical theatre sparked your passion for performance and storytelling. How have these early influences, along with your admiration for artists across various genres, shaped your approach to songwriting and your identity as an artist today?

The theatricality of musical theatre captivates me—the raw emotion, the unabashed expression on stage—it's a celebration of the human experience. This boldness has deeply influenced my songwriting style and my artistic identity. In my writing, I strive for unapologetic honesty, expressing my thoughts and feelings while embracing a spectrum of emotions in a forthright way. I love to pull inspiration from artists I admire across various genres as well and think those influences are evident in my work. 

You describe yourself as a storyteller at heart, a trait that's evident in your songwriting and your ventures into children’s literature with "Annie’s Pajammies." How do you navigate these different creative outlets, and in what ways do they complement and influence each other?

That means a lot to me... Thank you so much! My music speaks to who I am now and is very much diaristic, whereas my writing in Annie's Pajammies speaks to my inner child and what resonated with me when I was younger! The authenticity of both projects helps me discern between the two voices and navigate these different creative outlets. Both ventures complement each other in that they let me convey different stories, one set that's steeped in reality and the other steeped in imagination, which enables me to explore different facets of my creativity! 

Recording your debut album and creating music with talents like Dominique Messier and Kaven Girouard must have been an enriching experience. Can you share an insightful moment or lesson learned from working alongside these musicians that has had a significant impact on your artistic development?

It was one of the most enriching experiences working alongside Dominique and Kaven, ripe with innumerable insightful moments and invaluable lessons learned! While I've always been hands-on with my music, collaborating with them taught me the importance of giving others space to express their ideas and showcase their creativity and talents. It's within this collaborative dynamic that true musical magic comes to life.

With an academic background from Berklee College of Music and skills in playing the guitar and saxophone, your musical education is quite comprehensive. How has this formal training influenced your creative process, and how do you integrate this knowledge into your music, especially in the context of moving between genres and exploring new sounds?

I believe my formal training has not only influenced but completely transformed my creative process. At Berklee, I learned to nurture my innate creative instincts, turning them into consistent creative habits. I honed my ability to cultivate ideas from inception to fruition and gained a deeper understanding of how to explore various genres and sounds. Now, I approach music with a keen awareness of how to extract elements that resonate with me and integrate them into my own sound!