Anne E. DeChant
Encyclopedia
Anne E. DeChant is an American rock singer/songwriter/guitarist based in the Cleveland area. Her career began with the promising band Odd Girl Out in the early 1990s before releasing her first solo project in 1996. Since then, she won regional awards and opened for top-10 pop groups, while poising herself for a national break.
made the practice less common.
In July 1997, Anne E. DeChant officially released her first solo album, with a more mainstream sound, but departing a bit from her folk roots. In the following years, she developed a loyal following and dominated local music polls, by reaching out to her audience through political lyrics and an approachable persona.
Since she continues to write, she releases an album about every two years, with progressively bigger producers. Meantime, she has an active show schedule hovering around the Cleveland and Nashville areas, and regularly tours other states to build on her fan base. According to her web site, she has performed at such colorful venues as Lilith Fair
, at the White House, and on Olivia Cruise Lines.
), Green Hand (supporting troops post-war
), Swastika (Holocaust denial
), 25 (imbalance in economic status), and Second Class Citizen (prejudice and intolerance toward the gay community).
Virtually all her songs feature singing and guitar-playing. As such, she regularly includes guitarist Matt Sobol and backup vocalist Kelly Wright, for a distinctly intimate acoustic-folk feel. Naturally, at full-band shows, the louder songs reach their potential as pop rock tunes.
History
With Alexis Antes and Victoria Fliegel, Odd Girl Out enjoyed a niche following, particularly on the college scene. The band got airplay on, and support from, commercial radio stations in the Cleveland market, shortly before media deregulation and consolidationTelecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
made the practice less common.
In July 1997, Anne E. DeChant officially released her first solo album, with a more mainstream sound, but departing a bit from her folk roots. In the following years, she developed a loyal following and dominated local music polls, by reaching out to her audience through political lyrics and an approachable persona.
Since she continues to write, she releases an album about every two years, with progressively bigger producers. Meantime, she has an active show schedule hovering around the Cleveland and Nashville areas, and regularly tours other states to build on her fan base. According to her web site, she has performed at such colorful venues as Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair was a concert tour and travelling music festival, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Music Group's Dan Fraser and Terry McBride, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond. It took place during the summers of 1997 to 1999, and was revived in the summer of 2010. It...
, at the White House, and on Olivia Cruise Lines.
Songwriting
DeChant writes her share of heart-felt songs of heart ache and heartbreak. However, many of her most popular tracks are about social justice issues. Examples include Girls and Airplanes (gender equalityRosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women who worked in factories during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who were in the military...
), Green Hand (supporting troops post-war
Opposition to the Vietnam War
The movement against US involvment in the in Vietnam War began in the United States with demonstrations in 1964 and grew in strength in later years. The US became polarized between those who advocated continued involvement in Vietnam, and those who wanted peace. Peace movements consisted largely of...
), Swastika (Holocaust denial
Holocaust denial
Holocaust denial is the act of denying the genocide of Jews in World War II, usually referred to as the Holocaust. The key claims of Holocaust denial are: the German Nazi government had no official policy or intention of exterminating Jews, Nazi authorities did not use extermination camps and gas...
), 25 (imbalance in economic status), and Second Class Citizen (prejudice and intolerance toward the gay community).
Virtually all her songs feature singing and guitar-playing. As such, she regularly includes guitarist Matt Sobol and backup vocalist Kelly Wright, for a distinctly intimate acoustic-folk feel. Naturally, at full-band shows, the louder songs reach their potential as pop rock tunes.
Album discography
- Odd Girl Out: Live in Concert (1990, live CD, with Odd Girl Out)
- Effort of the Spin (1996, CD)
- Something of the Soul (2000, CD)
- Live: An Evening with Anne E. DeChant (2001, live, CD)
- Pop the Star (2004, CD) produced by Don Dixon
- Girls and Airplanes (2006, CD) produced by Andy Ackland
- One Voice One Guitar (2007, Christmas CD) produced by Dark Tree Studios
Awards
- Cleveland Free Times: All Star Musician, 2007
- Cleveland Scene Magazine: Best Singer/Songwriter, Best Folk/Acoustic Act, Best Regional Vocalist, various years 1998-2005