Anna Coogan
Anna Coogan’s unexpected journey through music has taken her a long way from opera school in Salzburg, Austria. Driven by homesickness and a rush of post-9/11 patriotism, Anna left school in 2002 and dedicated her life to the pursuit of American roots music. Six years, 2.5 albums, countless shows and many long drives throughout the US later, Anna is renewing her commitment to writing and performing original Americana.
Chance encounters in Seattle’s vibrant music scene introduced Anna to banjo player Travis Beard, and within a year, Anna Coogan and north19 was formed with Kevin Burkett on bass and Eric Hastings on drums. At first playing small venues and open stages, Anna Coogan and north19 soon began selling out premier venues in the region. Their debut album, Glory, caught the ear of KEXP program director Don Yates, and earned 10 weeks on KEXP’s top 100 charts and an in-studio on Swinging Doors. Their sophomore album, Sleepwalker, was released in 2007 to critical acclaim and a sold-out crowd at the Tractor Tavern.
Now officially beginning her career as a solo artist, Anna is touring nationally and internationally with a combination of local and national session players. Her debut album, tentatively titled So Long, Summertime, is scheduled for release in Spring 2009.