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The Power of "I am" and the Stories of Wooden Leg. A Conversation with Anna van Riel.
For Anna, who moved to Luggate from Invercargill in 1996, the arts were never a choice, they were an inheritance. Her childhood was spent in a world of developing black-and-white photos with her grandfather, listening to Concert FM, and watching her grandmother spin and crochet lace.
"Music just chose me," she says. Today, that legacy continues at Nook Road Productions, where she "nerds out" on vocal mechanics with her students. "I spend a lot of time on the mechanics of the voice, which keeps my own instrument in good shape. But as a songwriter, ideas tend to arrive in strange and wonderful ways."
When it comes to crafting a song, Anna describes a process that is equal parts discipline and total surrender. While she is a self-professed "nerd" regarding the technical side of the voice, her songwriting relies on a more mystical approach, one that requires her to "get out of her own way."
"Lyrics, melodies, or themes will often drop in unexpectedly, sparked by something I’ve seen, heard, or felt," she explains. "My phone is full of snippets of voice memos and fragments. I’ve learned to trust that process; letting ideas come and go without attachment feels important. It’s often how the most honest work finds its way through."
This intuitive approach is what birthed several tracks on the new album. For instance, the song 'I’m Messy' arrived almost fully formed while Anna was walking down a country road listening to a podcast.
"A renowned jazz musician spoke about there being ‘no rules’ in jazz—that it’s all born entirely from improvisation. Something clicked, and the song arrived. I workshopped it with my friend Jonatans Rācenājs, who arranged the guitar part, and suddenly it all came together."
Other songs are the result of deep narrative immersion. Anna is particularly inspired by the lives of other musicians. The track 'Betty' grew from the "emotional seed" of Lead Belly’s 'In the Pines' and the harrowing life story of Billie Holiday. In Anna's mind, "Betty" became the woman behind the story, and the song grew from that empathy.
Despite a career spanning decades and seven studio albums, Anna admits that one of her biggest hurdles was simply claiming her identity.
"For years, when people asked what I did, I’d say I 'dabbled' in music. Saying the words 'I am a musician' felt strangely confronting," she admits. "But there’s power in naming what you do. Once I did, something shifted."
That shift has fueled her through the balancing act of motherhood and the logistics of being an independent artist. Guided by the mantra, "I didn't come here to put shoes on caterpillars," Anna views her work as a long-term commitment to her community and her craft.
The album, recorded at Mirrors Audio with producer Danny Fairley, is a collection of stories that range from the psychedelic folk of 14 Years (inspired by her teenage move to the district) to the title track, Wooden Leg, which serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world.
Anna’s dedication to the "human" element of music is also why 'Wooden Leg' has been pressed to limited-edition vinyl. "The collaboration, for me, is really with the audience," she says. This philosophy extends to her upcoming tour, where she plans to play intimate spaces, homes, and creative hubs across New Zealand.
Beyond the tour, Anna’s dream is to keep building grassroots creative spaces in Central Otago, perhaps even a boutique folk, blues, and jazz festival. Her advice to young artists in the district is simple:
"Say the words: I am an artist. Whether you paint, sing, write, or tinker—claim it. Learn to listen to your body when opportunities arise. Protect your energy. This life isn’t a dress rehearsal, baby!"
Feature image: Photo credit Alima Priest Photography
