If you live in McCauley, you may have heard about musician/resident Ann Vriend’s weekly porch concerts in the spring and summer. For the past two years, AV (as she is known in the music world) helped many in the neighbourhood and beyond enjoy live music in an outdoor, socially-distanced setting.

AV’s new album, Everybody Matters, draws heavily from her McCauley-based experiences and observations, particularly concerning social issues and cycles of trauma and abuse. The video for the extremely catchy title track is on YouTube and was shot on location in McCauley, and features a number of locals. Ditto for Anything I Know, which was filmed during a porch concert this past fall.

While the lyrical subject matter may be serious, so is the music, with its overtones of blues and jazz, punctuated with tight rhythm and keyboard arrangements. At the centre are AV’s soulful, sultry voice that soars with passion and power.

You can purchase Everybody Matters, as well as other albums by AV, at her website: www.annvriend.com