By Mitch Tousley
Anna Beck has been singing her whole life. In fact, she even picked up the guitar through her father’s influence and encouragement. She began secretly writing songs in high school and released her first single “Sick of It” in 2020. Last July, she released her newest single, “Cut,” on her birthday.
She recently graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in social work, but music is a primary focus for her and she’s striving to make art her whole career. The quality of her music is of the utmost importance. She says she’d rather throw in the towel and work a desk job full time than make art she didn’t like. With this focus on quality, Anna Beck has cultivated a fanbase that makes her able to nearly sell out venues like Kilby Court with little promotion.
When asked why people should listen to Anna Beck, her candid response was “I don’t f***ing know.” Humorous as that may be, there’s plenty of reason to give her a spin. While Anna’s music often veers into heavy territory with themes of queerness and the female experience, she also injects her songs and performances with silliness and fun. Humor is one of the biggest ways she copes, and her injection of this humor allows the audience to stew on serious themes without leaving the show in a despondent condition.
At her Les Femmes De Velour performance, she’ll be doing a drumless, stripped-back set. Those in attendance can expect a raw, honest performance. She feels a new vulnerability in coming to Provo to play at Velour Live Music Gallery, as Provo has come to symbolize a part of her life that is distinctly in the past. Her ex-Mormon and queer lifestyle hasn’t always felt very accepted in Provo, but her performance won’t shy away from who she is. Rather, she’ll be her truest, authentic self during this show and any mold that Provo represents will be far from the Velour stage.
Anna Beck will play Velour Live Music Gallery on February 16th. Tickets are on sale now. Make sure to follow her on Instagram and listen to her song “Cut” below!