Anchoress was formed in 2020 in Berlin, DE, and is comprised of Anna Lucia Nissen (Vocals/Keys), Alexander Rathbone (Guitar) and Tobias Textor (Drums/percussion).

 

With a sound being described as a gorgeous breed of solemn but powerful melancholy reminiscent of the androgynous timbre of Anohni while leaning towards a strong and sober Nico, the main feature of Anchoress‘ songs is the lead singer‘s magnetic vocals.

 

Pairing elements of drone, poetry and film scores with remnants of liturgical music, their sound carries a cinematic sense of magic that coats the listener in an otherworldly state detached from imposed boundaries of hierarchy and logic.

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Based on minimalist arrangements, the songs embody moments of rage and fragility, hope and despair and address the increasing emotional exile of the individual from the collective human experience. Evoked by using swelling organ drones, reverberant synthesizers, guitar arpeggios and subtle percussion, the poetic laments of Anchoress bear a distinctive sound all of their own while taking cues from genres such as experimental neoclassical, doom metal, ethereal wave and drone.

 

In 2021 Anchoress was a mentee of Jan Brauer (Brandt Brauer Frick) for the Berlin Amplify program of ACUD Macht Neu, received a scholarship from GVL Neustart Kultur 2021/2022, was selected for the Pop-Kultur Talents 2022 and received a scholarship from Musicfonds for 2022/2023. 

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In 2020 the debut EP “In Times Where Eyes Are Low” was released. Currently, Anchoress is working on their first full length studio album "Cockdust", which will be released in the fall of 2023.

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