.

.

ANNA SMYRK
celebrates the freedom of holding joy
and pain together with new song
‘GARDEN-VARIETY GRIEF’

+ Announces intimate performances
in community gardens
across Victoria

.

.

“A truly astonishing voice.” –  Rolling Stone

“A significant songwriter with an exceptional voice.” – Backseat Mafia (UK)

“Through the light and dark, ‘Garden-Variety Grief’ reflects on the shared human experience of carrying pain and trauma, drawing from Anna’s personal grief following her father’s sudden passing” – Loud Women

.

.

Returning with a celebration of resilience, songstress Anna Smyrk is releasing a new single, ‘Garden-Variety Grief’, on Friday, 10 October, via Community Music. The first taste from Anna’s debut album, produced by Anna Laverty (Courtney Barnett, Nick Cave), ‘Garden-Variety Grief,’ is a song that celebrates the freedom of holding joy and pain together; a mix of comfort, sadness, and emotional release. To coincide, Anna will embark on a pop-up garden tour, performing free all ages shows in community gardens across Victoria before heading to Europe and the US.

Produced and mixed by Anna Laverty, ‘Garden-Variety Grief’ is a cathartic, 90s-influenced track about getting through the hard stuff. It explores the universal experience of carrying pain and trauma in daily life, inspired by Anna’s personal journey through grief after her father’s sudden passing. The song moves effortlessly between moments of darkness and light, humour and pain, resilience and hope, ultimately reminding us to find comfort amidst hardship and fostering a sense of solidarity.

“This song is a shout into the abyss. A sad/happy cry on the dancefloor. A hectic headbang in the living room. A long scream in the car. It’s tension and release. Grief and joy. Love and pain.” – Anna Smyrk

.

Photo – Michelle G Hunder

.

Mirroring the track’s message, and playing with literal versions of light and dark, the video was directed by Nayomi Pattuwage and filmed in a paddock on the Mornington Peninsula with ten or so lamps strewn across the scene, powered by two campervans on either side. “We really wanted to create this beautiful shot of all these lamps coming on around me in the dark. That ended up involving about 700 extension leads and shooting out in the cold until 4am, but I think it was worth it!” – Anna Smyrk

“Producing GVG was all about honouring Anna’s story and her emotional connection to the song. The concept managed to build itself into surreal and unbelievable scenes, and felt symbolic.” – Nayomi Pattuwage

Originally from Melbourne, the indie artist has spent the last few years performing at festivals and venues all over the world, with her music making waves across tours in North America and Europe, with official showcases at SXSW (Austin TX) and Folk Alliance International (Kansas City, MO), and other showcases including NXNE (Canada), and Live at Heart (Sweden). She has toured non-stop, supporting artists like Birds of Tokyo, Strands of Oak, Tim Rogers and Bachelor Girl, performing at some of Australia’s finest festivals, Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and international festivals including Mile of Music (WI, USA). Bringing it back home, Anna’s upcoming Garden-Variety Tour gives audiences the opportunity to experience her stories in their most raw and vulnerable way amongst nature. 

“For me, the things that really help in dark times are music, community and nature. I wanted to bring all those things together on this tour and create some moments of connection outside of the usual places you go to hear live music.” – Anna Smyrk

Pack a picnic rug or folding chair, a picnic to enjoy and books for the book swap and experience Anna Smyrk in a garden near you this October and November.

‘Garden-Variety Grief’ out Friday 10 October via Community Music

.

.

Garden-Variety
Tour Dates:

All shows are free and all-ages

Saturday 18 October 
Newstead Community Garden, Newstead, Victoria
From 2:00 PM

Saturday 25 October 
Yackandandah Community Garden, Yackandandah, Victoria
From 1:00 PM

Sunday 26 October 
Yiiro Community Garden, Euroa, Victoria 
From 2:00 PM

Saturday 1 November 
Meeniyan Community Garden, Meeniyan, Victoria
From 1:00 PM

Saturday 8 November 
Blairgowrie Community Gardens, Blairgowrie, Victoria
From 4:00 PM

Sunday 9 November 
Coolart Gardens, Somers, Victoria
From 12:30 PM

Saturday 15 November
Springdale Community Gardens, Curlewis
From 1 pm

Saturday 22 November
Melbourne Secret Show 
Location TBC 
From 7 pm

Full information for all shows HERE

.

Photo – Michelle G Hunder

.

‘Garden-Variety Grief’ Song

Written by Anna Smyrk
Produced and mixed by Anna Laverty
Performed by Anna Smyrk, Holly Thomas, Loz Irwin-Ray and Alex Burkoy

‘Garden-Variety Grief Video Credits

Produced by Heaps Stoked Productions
Directed by Nayomi Pattuwage
Director of Photography: David Patterson
Edited and Coloured by Nayomi Pattuwage

‘Garden-Variety Grief’

It’s nothing extraordinary
You’ve got yours, I’ve got mine
It’s basic, garden-variety grief
We all carry it, all of the time

And I think it’s strange and wonderful
What the mind can withstand
Getting out of bed felt impossible
But here I am

Somehow

It’s some kind of sweet sorcery
Though the weight only grows
You’re lifting more and more each week
You get stronger to carry the load

And I think it’s brave and wonderful
You turn your face to the sun
After all the world has done to you
Has done to everyone

Somehow

And everybody’s hurting
And everybody’s tired
And everybody’s got their shit
But somehow we just keep on trying

And everybody’s hurting
And everybody’s tired
And everybody’s got their shit
But somehow we just keep on trying

Somehow we just keep on trying
Somehow we just keep on trying
Somehow we just keep on trying

Somehow

.

.

Follow ANNA SMYRK
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

.

Photo – Michelle G Hunder

.

AMNPLIFY – DB