Anna Tivel Premieres New Track “Illinois”

Anna Tivel is a songwriter’s songwriter. Her thoughtfully crafted story songs are delivered with few frills, making room for Tivel’s insightful observations and soulful lilt to shine. Her most recent album Heroes Waking Up established the Portland artist as a considerable talent, and her forthcoming collection Small Believer is sure to further cement that reputation.

Ahead of Small Believer‘s release, Tivel has shared a new song, “Illinois.” The slow-burning folk tune shows both Tivel’s lyrical pyrotechnics as well as her ability to craft a gently smoldering melody, serving as an intruiging introduction to her new body of work.

“This one is for a good friend who moved a long way to be with someone who ended up really breaking her spirit,” Tivel says. “It’s about the hope of making a new life, the promise of real love, and the terrible let down and destruction of abuse. I wrote it imagining her driving back home, hoping so hard that she would, but knowing how blindingly difficult it is to leave, how much shame and hurt and hope and fear is involved.”

Small Believer is out September 29. Listen to “Illinois” below.