Anna's debut album 'All I Thought I Knew' is a soothing, mellow ride.  With little tastes of Jazz, Folk, and Pop, this album is perfect for a warm summer's day driving in your car, thinking about life, relationships, and enjoying the simple things.

A Calm

Nature is something that I appreciate so much, beyond being able to explain why. This song was born after a revelation I had while walking outside one day.  I was looking at the trees, and I suddenly realized that this world is only a shadow of the REAL world that we are mostly unaware of… the spiritual realm.  I also noticed that often what we see in nature reflects something that is going on in life, and shows me the way we were intended to live.  Keep growing through struggles, let the dirt be washed away, and always be reaching further into the sun. 

Lay Down the Load

This is sort of a humbleness and repentance song for me…  laying every burden down that shouldn't be held onto anymore.  No more pride, no more self-righteousness, no more self-pity.  It's one of my favourites to sing for that reason. 

Smiles and Save Face

  I have been trying to please others and perfect myself for way too long.  Why do we always think we have to hold it together when we're distraught?  Weren't we made with emotions that mourn, hurt, and get angry; muscles for different expressions; and tear ducts for when we are overwhelmed?  This one's about being done with small talk when there are real things to be addressed and healed between people, and about giving up perfectionism in trying to appear 'together' in all those situations.

What Is

This song was written in Tofino, on Vancouver Island, BC, a dramatically beautiful place... and I was thinking-- we get caught up in injustice and focusing on what's wrong in this world.  Not that there's anything wrong with singing songs about hard or sad things, but we usually end up spending more time pouring over what's wrong than changing what we can to make things right.
  "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -the Bible (New Revised Standard) 

Something New

When I step into an airport, or feel the plane tilting in take-off beneath me, there is something  crisp and fresh in the air-- newness.  I crave seeing new places often, going through seasons of wanting to jump on any plane I can to get away for a while.  But this feeling, when I can't take off and fly away, has led me to realize my deeper longing to go to a place where there are no more problems, no more sadness, no more mourning, no more fears. 

Letting You In

I wrote this one after a weekend where I pretty much discovered the Lord's voice in my life.  I had known God from a young age and had wanted to follow him, but suddenly hearing his voice and seeing visions and dreaming dreams was a whole different thing me.  Not only did I begin to hear from him, but I realized that I had been hearing his voice all my life-- without recognizing it.  Also, many of the things God began to tell me, he was also telling other people I knew at the same time.  It was all interconnected and too crazy to be me just going nuts, and my life has been in continual change and discovery ever since. 

Satisfied

There are a lot of songs out there that express some sort of dissatisfaction or frustration in life.  So here's to tossing in the opposite theme...  the satisfaction and joy that comes from knowing God… how even the simplest alone moments can be monumental bonding times.  I hummed this one out over a number of trips walking home from work one summer... walking beneath enormous swaying maples.

Empty Highway

I always imagine a scene with this song… driving down an empty highway on a sunny day, windows rolled down, music turned up, and having one of those serene, alone-in-your-thoughts moments.  This song is for my husband, Dave.  It was written just when we started seeing each other… just when I decided to toss all my fears out the window and take the risk of loving. 

My Name

Have you noticed that when someone adds your name onto a sentence they speak to you, it can sort of pleasantly startle you?  --You feel appreciated, validated, even loved just by that one simple word being spoken to you.  It's a mystery to me why that is... it suddenly feels safe because they know you; they somehow recognize who you are.  This song was written about what it was like to hear God's voice speak my name to me. 

You're Here

  This song is about the faithfulness of God in everything, his perfect timing in everything; how he leads me through suffering, but with his arms securely around me and with his voice in my ear.

Near Sleep 

This lullabye is dedicated to my new niece, Frances, who was born during the recording of this album, who made a few studio-visits, and who already has the gift of sweetness and peace in her person.