NEW ALBUM
OUT NOW
Stand Still: Side B completes the story ANNIKA began in 2021, showcasing her growth through a dynamic mix of sassy, bluesy hits and heartfelt ballads.
From the swagger of “Things I’d Rather Do” to the raw emotion of “It Kills Me,” ANNIKA pushes her songwriting and vocal talents to new heights while the musical production transcends boundaries through songs like “Never on Fire” and “Never Knew Love At All.”
Since Stand Still: Side A, ANNIKA has written, recorded, and performed through many personal and professional changes. This new album showcases the same ANNIKA that came to the forefront in 2021, but with a growth and maturity that comes from years of highs and lows captured in time through music, proving that ANNIKA is never standing still.
This project has been in my mind and on my heart for several years now. ‘Stand Still Side B'‘ continues the journey that I started as a writer, singer, and performer in 2021. After becoming a wife and mother, my perspective on life shifted in ways I couldn’t have predicted. As I experienced such changes, I wrote and recorded with those close to me and created a body of work that captures a very specific creative chapter in my life. I am excited to share ‘Stand Still: Side B’ with the world as it completes a story I’ve wished to tell for a long time - Annika
About ANNIKA
Accomplished musician, vocalist and songwriter, ANNIKA’s ability to capture audiences comes not just from her musical charisma, but from a refreshingly authentic and comedic personality, which has powerfully engaged and entertained audiences around the world since 2012.
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, ANNIKA has taken a new musical direction since moving on from CCMA-nominated country-pop duo, Leaving Thomas. Inspired by artists such as Elton John, Carole King and Alicia Keys, ANNIKA’s new sound combines her love of country songwriting with heartfelt piano playing and melodic vocals.
As a classically trained pianist and vocalist, ANNIKA has performed around the world, from bustling cruise ship piano bars, to national television as a Top 11 Canadian Idol finalist, and even hosting the Calgary Stampede Grandstand show with a combined audience of over 200,000 people. Her performance highlights include playing “In The Round” at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee (2017), the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City, New York (2017), and headlining MTV’s anti-trafficking event, “Freedom For Others” in Bangkok, Thailand (2014).
iHeart Radio Future Star and Boots & Hearts semi-finalist, ANNIKA has been recognized for her talent and outstanding contributions to Canadian country music. With multiple YYC award nominations and her debut solo single, “I Really Don’t Want To,” securing a spot in CBC Country’s Top 40 chart for five consecutive weeks and Billboard Country’s Top 50 chart for four weeks, Annika’s journey as a solo artist has only just begun.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Over 1 MILLION global streams
Nominated for 3 YYC Music Awards: Country Recording OTY (“Strangers”), Music Video OTY (“Strangers”),
Single OTY (“Strangers”) (2023)
Nominated for 3 YYC Music Awards: Single OTY ("Encore"), Solo Artist OTY, Country Recording OTY ("Encore") (2022)
Semi-Finalist in the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase (August 2022)
"The Death Of Me" was added to Amazon Music editorial playlists: ‘Best of What's New,’ ‘Brand New Music,’ and ‘Fresh Country’
Sophomore single, “Encore,” debuted in the Top 10 on the iTunes country store and at No.48 on the iTunes All Genre Chart
“Encore” accumulated over 150,000 overall streams in its first month of release
“Encore” was added to several editorial playlists (Spotify’s ‘New Music Nashville’ and ‘Live Country’; Apple Music’s ‘New in Country,’ Country Risers,’ and Country Wide’; and Amazon Music’s ‘Fresh Country', ‘Best of What’s New,’ and ‘Just North of Nashville’)
Featured on the cover of Amazon Music’s Fresh Country playlist
iHeart Radio Future Star (July/August 2021)
Featured in the Billboard MRC Canadian Music Newsletter (July 2021)
Debut solo single, "I Really Don't Want To," was added to over 25 Canadian country radio stations, including CBC Country/SiriusXM 171
"I Really Don't Want To" reached No.33 on the CBC Country Top 40 chart, was in the Top 40 at Mediabase for five consecutive weeks and was in the Top 50 on the Billboard Country Chart for four weeks
Lead Singer of Alberta based country duo, Leaving Thomas, from 2014-2020
Co-writer of over 100 songs to date, including co-writes with Nashville heavy hitters such as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Phil Barton, Brian White, Patricia Conroy, and most famously, Liz Rose
Original song, “Best Adventure,” was licensed for Hallmark’s “A Summer Romance” (2019)
Commissioned to write, record, and perform in ad campaign video for US athleisure company, “Unbridled” (2019)
Host of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show (2016)
Winner of the Calgary Stampede Talent Search (2012)
Winner of the Calgary International Blues Festival Competition (2010)
Top 11 Finalist on Season 5 of Canadian Idol (2007)
PREVIOUS RELEASES
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEOS
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Showcase performance at North by Northeast in Toronto, ON (2024)
Travelled to Antarctica to perform as a piano bar entertainer on an expedition ship for guests from all over the world (2023)
Special guest performer at Brett Kissel’s concerts with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bella Concert Hall and the world-renowned Jack Singer Concert Hall (2023)
Showcase performance at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, ON (2023)
Feature Performer at the Brett x Brett Garden Party (2022)
Performed a SOLD OUT EP release show (May 2022)
Feature Performer at the Dave Kelly Live: Jann Arden Tribute Show (2020)
Feature performer at Brett X Brett Christmas Concert (2019 & 2020)
Performed at various festivals across the country with Leaving Thomas (2015-2019)
Performed around the world - notable cities include: Nashville, Tennessee; New York City, New York; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Bangkok, Thailand; Stavanger, Norway; Toronto, Ontario (2012 - 2018)
Performed at the CCMA Week Songwriter Series (2017 & 2019)
Performed “in the round” at The Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN (2018)
Performed at The Birdland Jazz Club in New York City, NY (2017)
Performed as a piano bar entertainer for various cruise lines (Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Azamara Cruises, and Celebrity Cruise Line) (2012-2017)
Feature performer at the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show (2014)
Headlined MTV’s anti-trafficking event, “Freedom For Others,” in Bangkok, Thailand (2014)
Performed at Canada's Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2014)
Performed alongside internationally recognized artists such as Loverboy, Colin James, Trooper, and American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks
THE STAND STILL SESSIONS
“ANNIKA's voice is full of depth and emotion and you can tell there’s passion behind her words and her voice in every song.”
— Canadian Beats
“Annika sings spectacularly, with tremendous presence.”
— Exclaim!
“When I first heard Annika perform, I was blown away by her stage talent and raw vocal range.”
— Rudy Blair Entertainment
PRESS PHOTOS
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