Metro Detroiters love stories about grit. Whether it’s the resurgence of sports teams like the Lions, Pistons and Tigers (be patient, Red Wings fans), or the city of Detroit itself post-bankruptcy — we can always appreciate those overcoming the odds.
That appreciation extends to fellow Midwesterner Anna Graves, who converted Michiganders into fans during two recent performances in Detroit. The Minnesota singer-songwriter opened for Wild Rivers at the Majestic Theatre in April and returned just six weeks later supporting folk favorites The Head and the Heart at The Fillmore on May 31.
“Being a Midwestern girl and doing the road trips with the fam early on, definitely made my way to Michigan a few times.” Graves shared. “It feels really special, and I feel like I’m really getting to connect with people in Michigan…last time around and this time too.”
Listen: Anna Graves talks finding herself again, new music + more
Anna Graves grew up on a horse farm in a small Minnesota town. Since they didn’t have a TV as children, Graves and her brother had to use their creativity and curiosity to entertain themselves.
“I grew up on a farm in Minnesota with a mom who was very creative. She’s a painter, like an artist painter. And we didn’t have TV growing up and it kind of allowed us to be able to create whenever we wanted to,” Graves said. “And my brother ended up being outside a lot and looking under rocks for stuff. And now he’s in science, which is funny.
“And there was this old grand antique piano that we had in our living room that I started playing when I was really young. My brother ended up spending a lot of time outside, and I ended up spending a lot of time on the piano. And writing was a big thing for me. I always wanted to be a writer.”
Graves spent her early years honing her musical craft, eventually spending time in Nashville and Los Angeles to explore opportunities not available in her hometown. Releasing her debut single, “Easy For You,” in 2023, the hauntingly catchy tune about cutting ties with a failed relationship proved to be a solid foundation for Graves — leading to her first studio album, Solstice, a year later via Island Records.
“I’ve had great experiences with the [music] industry, but I’ve had really bad ones.” – Anna Graves
However, things didn’t turn out the way Graves had hoped while living on her own, both personally and professionally. She was dropped from her label, found herself without a manager, and soon ran out of money.
“The thing is with LA, so many people come there for the same reason. And if you aren’t aware of who you are, it can chew you up and spit you out,” said Graves. “And I think that’s what it did to me. I didn’t know who I was when I went to LA, and I tried to find myself there and that just didn’t work. You kind of have to know who you are before you make a big jump like moving to a really tough city like that.”
“The music industry is hard already and you’re up against a lot of people and it feels so cutthroat and so competitive,” continued Graves. “And I’ve had great experiences with the industry, but I’ve had really bad ones. But you know what? I wouldn’t take any of the experience I’ve had back because I have so much to write about after losing myself in LA and having to come back come and reconnect with myself.”
Listen to the entire interview using the media player above, where Anna Graves shares how she got her second wind back and surrounded herself with a new team advocating for her success. She also shares a fun story about making friends with a Michigander named Honkey.
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