On Visitor
by Chris Crofton

Do you ever think about "the sacred and profane?" I do. Especially these days, I’m interested in the sacred. And I’m not talking about religion. Nothing against religion, but I’m interested in the secular sacred - kindness, flowers, coffee, music, waterfalls, being of service - that sort of thing. If you get enough kindness and coffee in one place - for me, that’s church. Annie Williams takes you to that kind of church. These songs of hers are sacred spaces. Little universes, where, through the honesty of Annie’s voice, small subjects become large. In Annie’s world, a lost dog (“Midnight”), the movie “Thelma and Louise” (“Thelma”), a highway (“Hwy 287”) and love (“Oh My Love”) are all equally-worthy inspirations.

Annie is based in Nashville, TN. You wanna know how she got here? She was playing her guitar at a party at University of Wyoming, and a touring gospel hip-hop group saw her. They invited her to come to Nashville, and be on their label. The deal fell through, but Annie stayed in Tennessee.

When you listen to this record, you might say to yourself, “Gospel hip-hop group? I don’t get it.” But I get it. At that party in Wyoming, sacred recognized sacred.

In the midst of the 24-hour news cycle, it’s easy to lose track of what’s important. Annie’s songs gently, effortlessly - and joyfully - remind us to refocus.
—Chris Crofton

Photo by Megan May