Anita Athavale

Anita Athavale’s captivating voice and confessional lyrics are among the ranks of Canada’s most gifted singer songwriters.Through her unfailing desire to express herself through music, Anita has developed a unique voice paired with insights that connect us to our relationships and to ourselves. She rocks, she croons and sails; her music is infectious and sincere.Born in Windsor, Ontario, Anita Athavale was the child of entrepreneurs and music lovers. The daughter of a mother with German/Czech heritage and a father from India, Anita was drenched in cultural richness and determination from the get-go. Her parent’s mixed-culture marriage became strained over time and in an effort to reconcile, the family moved to New Zealand for a fresh start. Living abroad in her early teens, Anita found an opportunity to pursue her secret interest in singing and performing.Eventually her parents decided to divorce and Anita returned to Canada with her brother and mother. Dealing with her family turmoil, Anita more certainly felt the need to find an avenue for expression. When she turned sixteen, Anita began performing a mix of covers and original songs on open stages and in coffee-houses. Within months of her debut performance, she had garnered enough attention to be offered opening slots for Canadian major label acts.After graduating from high school, Anita traveled across Canada and continually wrote music, growing more capable as a vocalist and guitar player. Settling in Calgary, Anita found a music scene that welcomed her and provided opportunities play in bands and demo song ideas. In 2002, Anita released her debut album "The First Time". The collection of acoustic songs sparked interest from major labels, and was included on a JANE Magazine CD compilation as well as being one of most played albums on Canadian college radio that year.Anita followed up the release of her debut by touring parts of Canada, sharing the stage with: Kathleen Edwards, Jason Colette, Danny Michel and Martina Sorbara. She showcased her songs in Toronto (NXNE), and was an invited showcase guest at the Alberta Songwriter's Series.Enchanted by the recording process, Anita worked to release a more elaborate and personal second album. Devoting more time to developing her unique songwriting and production style, she released two 3 song demos; one in 2003 and 2005. After earning a second assistance grant award from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Anita was able to create and co-produce her follow-up full length studio album.“In The Noise” emphasizes Anita’s diversity of talent and style, with songs that are catchy and thoughtful at all once. Including songs co-written with Russell Broom (Jann Arden) and Andrew Cash (Cash Brothers), Anita’s smart and emotive songs are earnest and completely relatable; the collection carries on the legacy of Canada’s best singer/songwriters. “In The Noise” won support from Canadian college radio, as well as CBC and CKUA radio. Anita has also co-produced a video (with award winning director Corey Lee) for the single “South Pacific”, gaining rotation on Much More Music television.On the strength of “In The Noise”, Anita has recently signed with U.S. management, been included several times in Hits Magazine (U.S. tastemaker and industry news) as well as been featured on Chartattack.com. In the spring of 2008, Anita visited the U.S. and showcased by invitation in both Los Angeles and New York.