Art inspiring art. It’s always been something that has fascinated me. A favorite song by an artist long gone can receive new life when someone else picks up an instrument and recreates it in her own way. And, after all, isn’t it one of the things we all hope for? To build a legacy of work that inspires and invigorates.
Anna Gilbert’s stripped-down performance of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” is an artistic love letter to a truly great song. “I love how truthfully sad and eerie the message is in the lyrics,” Gilbert explains. “It’s a foreboding warning, mysterious and dreamy all at once... I love reimaging covers like this one.” Her take on “Wild World” lets the viewer settle in and enjoy the melancholy that reverberates through the piano and Gilbert’s velvet vocals.
Surprisingly, covers are new territory for Gilbert, who recently began a new artistic journey via the online crowdfunding platform Patreon. “I started doing covers this year when I began doing Patreon and making music videos each month for my patrons,” she says. “Working on Patreon and producing content more frequently has been an amazing way to keep a more consistent relationship going with the people who want to hear my music.”
Gilbert is no stranger to building community through music, though. Go to one of her live performances and you’ll find a room full of supportive fans who have been attending her shows for years. Her passion for music and undeniable talent are captivating and her warm, personal messages at the end of each video make you feel like you’re having coffee with a close friend. Even if Gilbert describes herself as “late to the party” when it comes video covers, it’s a party I’ll always make sure to attend.
