ANNA SCIONTI
Interview by Bob Gordon
What’s the best thing about playing festivals?
They are such great fun! The audiences are there for the music, to listen, and have a great time. You meet so many new people. Plus, getting to hear and meet new artists and bands. It’s always a good vibe.
Do you have a Blues at Bridgetown experience that you’d like to share, either performing or as an audience member?
This is my first time performing at Blues At Bridgetown. In fact, it will be my first time in WA. I can’t wait as I’ve heard so many great things about the festival!
Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
I lean heavily into the blues world. My music is flavoured with elements of blues, roots and rock! I love playing slide guitar. My guitar collection has grown and includes some resonators, lap steel and cigar box guitars. You could say that I became a little obsessed with learning how to play slide guitar about 10 years ago. I’m still learning!
Looking back at my first EP released in 2017, you can hear lap steel and cigar box guitar played on all of the five tracks. In fact, all my albums have an element of slide guitar on them. My most recent album, Sparrow And The Fox (2024) is a stripped back acoustic album and leans more into the roots world.
What have been the highlights of your music career thus far?
That’s a hard question to answer as I’ve achieved so much and had so many great opportunities along the way.
A big highlight was going to Memphis, Tennessee. In 2023 I was crowned ‘Blues Performer of the Year (Solo/Duo Category)’ and represented the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society at the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis – excited to say that I made it to the semi-finals! It was an amazing experience. That was my second time at the IBC as I was also there performing in 2016.
It’s been such an amazing musical journey so far. I’m honoured to have shared the stage with some of Australia’s finest blues and roots players as part of the touring Blues Guitar Roadshow – Phil Manning, Fiona Boyes, Geoff Achison, Lloyd Spiegel, Jimi Hocking, Brett Garsed, The McNaMarr Project… to name a few.
Of course, being able to share my original songs with so many people is the best!
What have you been mainly focusing on in 2026 and how is it coming along?
I’ve had some great opportunities playing this year in QLD, NSW and around Victoria. I have also been making plans for a new album. Sorting songs, writing new ones, and deciding which fit together to complete the album which will be out in 2027. Plus I’m doing a production course – it’s been busy fun!
What are your plans and hopes for 2027?
More touring and live shows. Complete my fourth album. Continuing this musical journey ensuring I have fun along the way!
What can folks expect from your performances at Blues at Bridgetown?
An upbeat fun show! I’ll be bringing a few of my favourite cigar box guitars with me to Bridgetown. I’ll be playing songs from all my album releases, sharing stories, and I have some unreleased songs to share also.