Hailed as "the best thing since Patti Smith" by Brian Eno, as well as being included on the BBC's Sound of 2011 list, the hype surrounding London-born Anna Calvi came to a crescendo in late 2010. She drew critical acclaim among music journalists, as well as comparisons with musicians such as Nick Cave and PJ Harvey.
Anna left art school in favor of a music degree, at the age of 17, and began to learn her trade and assemble musical partnerships. She met percussionist and harmonium player Mally Harpaz in 2006, and later recruited drummer Daniel Maiden-Wood. Her debut single, "Jezebel," (a cover of the Edith Piaf standard) dropped in late 2010, and it wasn't long before Calvi caught the attention of Domino Records' boss Lawrence Bell, who quickly signed her to his label.
Calvi entered Black Box studio in France to record her self-titled debut album in 2010. With Rob Ellis on production dutues, the album was released in 2011. Following the release of her debut album, Calvi was inundated with award nominations for accolades such as Best British Breakthrough Act at the BRITS in 2012, and she was presented with the European Border Breaks alongside being invited to judge that year's prestigious Mercury Prize. Toward the end of 2012 she lent her powerful voice to Noah and the Whale's title track, "Heart of Nowhere," between sessions for her second release, One Breath, which was issued in 2013.
