"In search of peace" was the first track I wrote out of the upcoming "Sojourn" collection. I think it was initially titled "peaceful" or something to that effect... (plain and succinct!) The opening melody came about through a natural outworking of the restlessness I was feeling at the time... a restlessness probably felt by society as a whole between all the events of last year. I also like to joke that it was partly a tongue-in-cheek experiment—peaceful piano music has, for better or worse, become increasingly popular over the last number of years, and this style is generally completely contrary to the way in which I like to write. 

I sat down at the piano one day and wondered if I could (or should) attempt to come up with anything that fit that same feel. And so the opening melody was born; peaceful, sparse, minimal (and of course, later taking a turn for the dramatic as you can't completely outrun your natural tendencies!) What surprised me is that even though I still prefer a more volatile mood and intricate way of composing (as opposed to outright minimalism), it was exactly what I needed at the time—it was an honest response to where I was as both an artist and in my everyday. It also marked the end of a long season of writer's "drought" in my case... while I don't think I was suffering from writer's block, it had been a while since I was really motivated to work on my own craft in anything other than a functional capacity (for briefs, clients, and the like). Sometimes you just need a season of calm and rest; this track was that for me. I hope it will be that for you, too.

Sojourn

In search of peace

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In the middle of last year I couldn’t stop writing hymns for whatever reason… every piece I wrote sounded like a hymn, every song I wrote was based on hymn-like chord progressions. I suppose it was my own way of playing some peace into the atmosphere when it seemed society was coming apart. It can be hard to know how to respond to things as an artist, but I have a deep belief that creating can bring about its own kind of healing—healing not just for the artist but for those who listen (or watch) as well. 

It’s compositionally my favorite track on the EP—I took a traditional-sounding progression and expanded it into something with a modern-classical flavor. I also just love how insanely creaky and old this one ended up sounding… like one of the dusty, forgotten, and out-of-tune pianos I’ve played in so many churches over the years. It’s also the most fun to play!

An old hymnbook

"On Madness at Sea" was created in collaboration with investigative reporter and journalist Ian Urbina (The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and more). Each track features field recordings gathered during Ian's reporting at sea.

On Madness at Sea

All Things (and The Dreadful Grave)

A Land Creature Passing Through

Hymn For Khadija

Vagueness And Disorder

The Darkest Places

Below 50 South

Apex

Little Voices

Softer Sessions

Rolling Wave

Reprieve

Snowdrop

Hourglass

How Things Used To Be

A modern classical piano track featuring a dry acoustic sound and minimal pedaling. In the style of Chilly Gonzales. For use in TV/Film.

Rockaway

Lone White Flag

DIVIDED

Redemption: Home With You

Re-learning the Rhythms

Re-learning The Rhythms

Spring/The Promise

Absolution (Hymn)

Walking the In-Between

Walking The In-Between

Restlessness

Turbulent at Heart

Turbulent At Heart

Intro: Underwater

Éire

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Track 21 from Recollections Vol. 2 by Sonder House

Recollections Vol. 2

Mirage

Open Spaces

Track 7 from Recollections Vol. 3 — a compilation project by New York label Sonder House.

Recollections Vol. 3

Thirteen Moons

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“O Come O Come Emmanuel”—a modern-classical take on the traditional hymn, by Anna Yarbrough and Laura Masotto.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

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O Come O Come Emmanuel — with Laura Masotto

“O Come O Come Emmanuel”—a modern-classical take on the traditional hymn, by Anna Yarbrough.

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Solo Piano)

A re-work of BPMoore's original track "Through the Trees"

BPMoore - Through the Trees - Anna Yarbrough Rework

The first single from upcoming EP "Sojourn", released early for #PianoDay2021.

This was the last track I wrote on my upcoming EP "Sojourn". Obviously I wasn't "somewhere in a wooden cabin" while writing it—I was in a blanket fort in a tiny apartment—but I actually named it for the feel. The music seemed warm; the melodies transportive to just about anywhere else, and the piano recorded in a creaky way that made me think of an old cabin in the woods... dusty, empty save for a few pieces of furniture, wood creaking from the floors and from the trees outside. That's exactly the sensation I want you to have while listening—right there in your earbuds, every creak, every space between the notes, everything raw and unprocessed.

Somwhere in a wooden cabin

Somewhere in a wooden cabin

Studio musician/composer/songwriter based in NYC.  Blues lover.  Piano composer/alt-pop writer.

Anna Yarbrough

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