Anne Steele releases her new EP Made Out of Stars
Here’s something to chase away the winter blues. A new album from New York singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Anne Steele!
The multi-award-winning artist has released her new EP, Made Out Of Stars selling out her release concerts last month in LA and NYC. No doubt she’ll sell out her Made Out Of Stars Tour, so be sure to see her when she visits whichever is closest to you: Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Rehoboth Beach, San Diego, Dallas, Palm Springs, Seattle, with more cities to be announced.
Steele released her first EP of original music titled What’s Mine in 2015, toured the US and overseas, and performed alongside Cyndi Lauper at The Beacon Theater in NYC for the TrueColors Fund. A regular at Joe’s Pub and City Winery in New York City where her concerts invariably sell out, Steele also performs nationally, internationally, and at sea with RSVP Vacations, Atlantis Events and R Family Vacations.
And best of all, Steele is an out and proud member of our community, married to the lovely Kelli Carpenter with whom she has raised four children.
Released in 2016, Steele’s astonishing single “Love Can Take Us There,” was written to honor the victims of the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando—and she donated all proceeds to the cause. The song was chosen as the official Provincetown Carnival Anthem for 2016 and is also featured on Made Out Of Stars, both as a dance track and acoustic version. The lyrics are heartfelt, simple, and true. “Dance with me,” she sings, “let’s all believe that we can live in happiness.”
And when you listen to an Anne Steele album it feels as though we can. After an epic Kickstarter campaign, Steele produced Made Out of Stars in Los Angeles with award-winning songwriters and producers Nash Overstreet (Hot Chelle Rae) and Shane Stevens. Inspired by the music of Kelly Clarkson, P!nk and Sara Bareilles, the EP spans dance to pop to ballad.
And what a voice. Steele can seamlessly transition from belt to head voice and has such control of her gift that she never hits a wrong note and always at the base of every one is joy. One example from her launch concert at Joe’s Pub was her cover of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. It brought the house down.
And now to the EP. Steele kicks off with “Obsessed,” a tribute to her wife, Kelli Carpenter. This effervescent love song gets you in the groove. “Better” is a feel-good track about how to move on from a feel-bad relationship. Don’t we all know that feeling? “I won’t get down in the dirt to make you hurt,” sings Steele as she urges the listener to take the higher road.
“I Miss Those Days” nearly brought me to tears when Steele performed it at the launch. This love song to New York City and to a musical youth spent among friends who have nothing but each other is lovely. “I miss my friends whenever I’m feeling blue, ’cause they knew me well long before I knew you,” sings Steele.
“Neither is better, it’s hard to explain/ But sometimes I miss those days.” Steele gives a passing nod to a vanishing New York, including Rose’s Turn, the Greenwich Village piano bar that closed its doors about 10 years ago. Nowhere on the EP is there a better example of what Steele can do lyrically, vocally, and emotionally.
And if you want to know what Steele can do for your feet and for your heart and soul, turn up the volume for “Love Can Take Us There (2019 Nash Overstreet Remix)”. This dance track really does take you there so be sure to add it to your Pride playlist.
After listening to this EP I’m convinced that Steele herself is made out of heavenly, cosmic stuff. Sporting a million-watt smile, a voice as clear and bright as a bell, and a heart of gold, Steele’s music sounds like a good friend—the kind you call when you need lifting up.
One of the pleasures of female-driven pop is its ability to tap into the anthem of the self: Whether that’s Pink or Sara Bareilles or Kelly Clarkson, the best female pop vocalists amplify positive feelings and give us hope that we can transcend obstacles. And when music’s as good as Made Out Of Stars I think we all get to shine a little.