Part Two - In Loving Memory of Belle Star. ⭐️

 
I've always considered myself to be one of the luckiest girls on this planet. During my career, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and extraordinary men I have ever met. Not only work with them, but have the privilege of calling them my friends.

One of my dearest friends was Belle Star. He was the kindest, most loving, caring, and gentle man I have ever known. I've never met anyone who has a bad word to say about Belle. He was a true gentleman. He now shines brighter than all the stars in the sky, and his memory lives down here with us forever.

As some of you may have seen, we found Lilygun film footage from when we filmed the 'What Goes Around' music video. Today, this film footage has been released on YouTube. I felt I needed to make it known that Belle is in this film footage.

It's difficult for me to find words to write here at this point. 

I knew that we couldn't keep this footage to ourselves because Belle was a Star to us all. 

I hope the sharing of this footage will warm your heart in these cold days. 

~ACx

______

https://www.lilygun.com/
https://www.lilygun.com/shop
https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/
https://prettylittlelady.bandcamp.com/
https://lilygun.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Lilygun/

🖤

Part One - Gold is Awesome!

I mentioned in my previous blog post that we found unseen photos from when we filmed the 'Inside' and 'What Goes Around' music videos. If you missed them on Facebook, check them out here: Lilygun Galleries. We also found unseen film footage from 'What Goes Around'. Today, you can watch the first of two videos, filmed on the day we shot the music video.

Watch The Making of What Goes Around Part One below.

Gold really is awesome!

~ACx

______

https://www.lilygun.com/
https://www.lilygun.com/shop
https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/
https://prettylittlelady.bandcamp.com/
https://lilygun.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Lilygun/

🖤

STRENGTH & GRACE - RELEASE

'Strength & Grace'

Available on Streaming Platforms 

You wanted it, you got it!

I am so excited to announce that today, Lilygun's second album, 'Strength & Grace', is now available on streaming platforms! I'm keeping this blog post short and sweet...
Here are the links you need, and check out the promo video below!

Buy Singles on Bandcamp: https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/
Buy Strength & Grace Second Edition Gatefold CD: https://www.lilygun.com/shop
Stream Strength & Grace Album Online: https://music.imusician.pro/a/PwNh7iLV

Make sure you are following Lilygun on Facebook to see our unseen photos from when we filmed 'Inside' and 'What Goes Around'. Plus Behind-the-Scenes video footage coming you way soon...

Love,

~ACx

______

https://www.lilygun.com/
https://www.lilygun.com/shop
https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/
https://prettylittlelady.bandcamp.com/
https://lilygun.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Lilygun/

 

 Enjoy!

🤍

WHAT GOES AROUND - RELEASE

'What Goes Around'

Available on Streaming Platforms 

More spooky greetings to you!

I'm happy to announce that as of today, the second single from Lilygun's second album, 'What Goes Around', is now on all major streaming platforms!

This song was originally written for my Pretty Little Lady? acoustic EP, but I knew it would sound awesome as a heavy rock song, and sure enough, it made its way onto Lilygun's second album 'Strength & Grace'.

If you follow Lilygun on Facebook, you may have seen that we have posted some unseen photographs from when we filmed the 'Inside' music video. I'm thrilled to tell you we have found unseen photos and film footage from the 'What Goes Around' music video too! Subscribe on YouTube to be the first to see the new video footage.

Stream What Goes Around: https://music.imusician.pro/a/Fpl1LK8C

Get the single on Bandcamp here: https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/track/what-goes-around-single

~ACx

______

https://www.lilygun.com/
https://www.lilygun.com/shop
https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/
https://prettylittlelady.bandcamp.com/
https://lilygun.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Lilygun/

"What goes around will come around."

🖤

INSIDE - RELEASE

 

 'Inside'

Available on Streaming Platforms 

Spooky greetings to you!

I hope you are looking forward to Halloween as much as I am! If not, just view it as an excuse to eat more candy! ;-)

Get Ready to enjoy Lilygun's music in a new way this month!


'Inside' was the last song I wrote before suffering from a Subarachnoid Brain Haemorrhage. As some of you may remember, today, the 8th of October, marks the anniversary. Although it may seem a little morbid to celebrate the day I almost died, I like to think of it more as the day I survived. I am happy to announce that the song is now available on streaming platforms!

Stream Inside: https://music.imusician.pro/a/PjWXCD8s


Don't forget you can get it here: Bandcamp: https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/track/inside-single

I'll be adding more music this month, so keep an eye out!
As always, much love from me.

~ACx

______

https://www.lilygun.com/
https://www.lilygun.com/shop
https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/
https://prettylittlelady.bandcamp.com/
https://lilygun.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Lilygun/

Let's be creepy together!

🖤

Get Ready!

Get ready to enjoy Lilygun's music in a new way this month!

Watch this space...

🖤

Inside Music Video - Behind the Scenes
©Photography by David Ryder Prangley
Hair & Makeup by Shelly d'Inferno

PRETTY LITTLE LADY? EP OUT NOW!

I’m going to tell you a story…
At times, some of you may laugh.
Some of you may be offended.
And although I stand by my words,
remember, I am here to entertain you!

Get my Solo Acoustic EP here:
https://prettylittlelady.bandcamp.com/album/pretty-little-lady-solo-acoustic-ep

Featuring:

1. Pretty Little Lady?
2. Dirty Rotten Liars
3. One Man's Trash
4. What Goes Around
5. Little Boy Blue
6. Resolution

Here's some trivia for you...

All 'Pretty Little Lady?' photos were taken by one of only two men I will ever allow to photograph me, the amazing Harald Haugan. Harald has been photographing Lilygun since pretty much the beginning of Lilygun time and most of our official photos found online are his.

The beautiful flower jacket I am wearing in this photograph belonged to my grandmother which means it's from sometime around the 1960s!

Why did I call this EP, Pretty Little Lady? ? Listen to the first song and you will understand. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone when I decided to record and perform these songs. I wanted to stretch my vocals and unleash my inner demons, unfiltered. I recommend it. It's very therapeutic.

As I mentioned before, when I listened to the songs again, years after they were recorded, I found the lyrics brutal, raw, and blatant in meaning. But that is the role of the songwriter. To inject feelings and project them into something that one day, someone in the world will be able to relate to.

As always, much love from me.
I'll be back soon...

~ACx

www.lilygun.com
©Haugan Photography
Photography by Harald Haugan

LITTLE BOY BLUE SINGLE OUT NOW!

Here's another song from my solo acoustic EP, Pretty Little Lady?: https://music.imusician.pro/artist/Y6HS2J7az3/releases

Some of you may remember that this song has a music video.
Directed by Jordan Katz Kaye, this video comes with a warning...
Please note that it has flashing lights and images throughout.
Beware if you have epilepsy or light sensitivity.
It's not comfortable.
But then again, neither is the song!
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aacFNSEf3bQ
Take a walk on the wild side!

~ACx

EP out 25th May...

www.lilygun.com
©Haugan Photography
Photography by Harald Haugan

ONE MAN'S TRASH SINGLE OUT NOW!

Are you ready for another song from my solo acoustic EP, Pretty Little Lady?

Here it is: https://music.imusician.pro/a/BTjSm7Ug

I'm a believer in karma. I believe when one door closes, another door opens. Therefore, we never need to try to hold on to things. People and things that are meant for us will never pass us by. All we need to do is flow like a river, go with the tide and have faith.

You and me and the devil make three! 😈

~ACx

Third single out 22nd May...

www.lilygun.com
©Haugan Photography
Photography by Harald Haugan

DIRTY ROTTEN LIARS SINGLE OUT NOW!

Dear all!

Enquiring minds wanted to know where you could get my solo acoustic EP titled, Pretty Little Lady?
The answer was nowhere.
Until now...
The EP will be officially released on global digital platforms this month beginning with the release of the first single, Dirty Rotten Liars, today!

Don't be fooled by the 'acoustic' label.
I warn you, this is not a soothing set of songs and I completely understand why a reviewer wrote, "It's not for the faint-hearted". Listening to it again, years after it was recorded, I find the songs lyrically brutal, raw, and blatant in meaning. I've never been apologetic before so I won't start now but don't say I didn't warn you!

Although not a relaxing listen, you may enjoy the vocal development from Lilygun's debut album to the EP. I find my voice changed over the years and I sound quite different on Lilygun's second album.
These acoustic recordings bridge the gap between the two albums and that is why I have decided to release them. And of course, because some of you have been asking for it. 😉

The first single titled, Dirty Rotten Liars, is now available to stream on Spotify, Deezer, Amazon and Apple Music, etc using this link below.

https://music.imusician.pro/a/i5JGI3pc

I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Miss you all!

Much love,

~ACx

www.lilygun.com
©Haugan Photography
Photography by Harald Haugan

Your Star

A Tribute Song for Belle Star

⭐

To mark my dear friend's birthday today, I would like to dedicate this recording to Belle Star.

Last year, I performed this song at his tribute night at the Underworld in Camden. Releasing it as a single today is my way of honouring him. Perhaps it can provide some sort of comfort to those who are missing him as much as I am.

I wrote this song on 23rd April 2023, not long after the news of his passing. I immediately recorded a demo of it with vocals and an orchestra arrangement. It was only meant to be for me but I ended up performing a solo version of it, with David Ryder Prangley on acoustic guitar, at Belle's tribute night. After that, I knew I had to make a band version and invite Belle's friends to record on it. From the start, I also knew that I had to have Belle's drumming on the recording.

Many tears have fallen during the making of this song. I ended up keeping my original vocal as it was brimming with emotions I could not recreate. It's not meant to be a sad song. I actually do think of him when I drink red wine and smile! If you listen closely to the second part of the second verse, Belle's drumming rises where the rest of the track doesn't. I decided to keep this as I felt such joy in hearing his drumming coming to the forefront in that moment. Throughout the recording process I felt his presence in his drumming and I hope you will feel it too when you listen to the song.

I didn't think this would be Lilygun's next single and even though it is released under that name, it's really a tribute from us, his friends, to Belle our Star, whose light will never go out.

🖤

Recorded and Produced by Anna-Christina

Vocals and Orchestra by Anna-Christina
Lapsteel by Drew Richards
Bass by David Ryder Prangley
Drums by Belle Star
Cover design by WOW!

Download Your Star from Bandcamp here:
https://lilygun.bandcamp.com/track/your-star-tribute-single

All profits from this recording will go to The Music Venue Trust - a charity that honours Belle's memory and that his family is passionate about.

BIG thank you to David, Drew and Marc.
Our love goes out to Belle Star and his family and to you.

With love,

~ACx

BelleFest

Celebrating the Life and Music of Belle Star

The Underworld in Camden welcomes all friends, family, lovers and fans of the glorious, iconic legend Belle Star to BelleFest this Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Belle Star, a true London Legend, Maestro of the Electric Ballroom, incredible drummer, cool gentleman, DJ, and beautiful person, passed away in his sleep, on April 1st, 2023. The evening will be dedicated to celebrating his life and love of music, glamour and all things that glitter, with performances from various bands and musicians Belle worked with during his illustrious career.

All profits from the evening will go to The Music Venue Trust - a charity that honours Belle's memory and that his family are passionate about.

This is a 14+ event. 14 and 15 year old’s MUST be accompanied by an adult

I will be making a rare appearance performing Bass in David Ryder Prangley's band and singing a solo acoustic song I wrote for Belle my Star.

Get tickets here: https://www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk/event/bellefest-29th-jul-the-underworld-london-tickets/

And I'll see you there...

~ACx

R.I.P Belle Star

R.I.P Belle Star

Belle my Star's sudden passing has left many of us devastated and heartbroken. I know, he wasn't just my Star. He was a shining Star to so many of us and will be remembered not only for the talented and legendary musician and DJ that he was, but also for being one of the kindest, most generous, and most loving people in this world. His passing is met with a hurricane of grief but of love too.

He was the most glamorous and stylish man I knew. I often wondered how on earth he was able to look so fabulous at rehearsal at 11 am! He was the legs and feet of Lilygun. No one hit that snare drum as loud as he did. He was also an amazing producer and I chuckle to myself now, when I hear his sweet voice saying, "AC, the drums need more air!". He knew how to establish exactly what was important in a mix, how to fine-tweak songs and make them sparkle. He brought out the best in the musicians around him and I feel so incredibly lucky that I had the privilege of performing, recording and working with him for so long.

Though it's difficult to comprehend that we will not see him again, he lives on in the music he made, in the hearts of his friends and family, and in the memories of everyone who knew him. I have learned many things from Belle. One of the most important things that I have learned, is that it's wonderful to leave things we have created in this world behind. But what's more important than that, is the impression we left on others. In the current climate, it matters how we treat others. Kindness matters and no one was kinder than Belle our Star.

Love you forever my dear friend Belle Star, you will never ever be forgotten.

~ACx

©2011 Haugan Photography

Farewell!

My dear Lilygun friends and followers,

What an unbelievable year 2020 has been! I hope you have all been ok in these very difficult times we find ourselves in! The music industry has been badly effected by COVID-19, especially the live music scene. I feel very sorry for all the bands, artists, and sound engineers out there trying to continue with their careers. It makes me realise how lucky I have been to have had the times I've had with Lilygun!

I feel at this point, it is important to tell you why I have been inactive with Lilygun in recent years.

Some of you already know, that for the last few years, I have been living a double life! Although I have been seen in public on many occasions, playing Bass in other people's bands, Lilygun has not performed live or released recordings for quite some time.

This is because I began a hobby a few years ago and this hobby has turned into a business! Not just a business, a passion of mine! It's something that merges everything I love, from audio production and composing music and songs, to storytelling and children's books. It's Music Audio Stories!

I create children's music audiobooks like no other! Full orchestral scores and magical soundtracks, catchy sing-along songs and cute stories that teach and uplift little listeners! I have recorded voice-overs with rock stars, actors, and become a narrator myself!

I can't even begin to tell you how much my life has changed, how much I have changed, since I began Music Audio Stories. I have almost become a different person! I still have that rock'n'roll fire in me make no mistake! In fact, my music audiobooks feature names of famous rock stars and references such as a story I have called 'Johnny No Cash', which has a skunk in it called Nancy! :-D

I created my own storytime based on my audiobooks called Storytime with Anna Christina. This has taken me from schools and nurseries (where I first tested my stories with the children), to The Barbican Centre, festivals, and library workshops in London. It was a little like gigging! I started off with small groups of children at public events and over time, I ended up with massive groups of 50 or more children taking part in my Storytime! It was unbelievable! You can read all about it on my website...

Now please don't misunderstand me... This IS NOT the end of Lilygun! There WILL be a third album and more music videos to come! However, I cannot say when I will be able to produce the next recordings as my attention is now fully fixed on Music Audio Stories.

From now on I will only be on these platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anna_Christina_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Anna-Christina

Please follow Music Audio Stories here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicaudiostory

If you subscribe here: www.musicaudiostories.com you will get one of my music audiobooks for free and be added to my mailing list so you can follow my amazing journey and keep in touch with me!

Also, I know that many of you have subscribed to Lilygun's YouTube channel so please subscribe to my Music Audio Stories one here: https://www.youtube.com/user/MusicAudioStories

I will be posting videos of me and my Storytime on this channel next year! :-)

See you on the bright side...

Farewell for now,

~ACx

Black Magic

Greetings all!

Quick post here just to let you all know that tomorrow night, I'm back on stage and back on the Bass performing live with the fabulous Mr David Ryder Prangley! I'm so proud to have recorded bass and vocals on his debut album 'Black Magic & True Love', which was released on Valentine's Day last month. This man made me a bass player and it's a privilege playing in his band.

Catch us live:

David Ryder Prangley

Wednesday 11th March 

Nambucca 

596 Holloway Road 

London 

N7 6LB 

Doors 7-11pm
Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

The album is available now on all the usual digital platforms, plus limited edition CD, and vinyl from here: Black Magic & True Love. Rehearsals have been fantastic and I have greatly enjoyed being back in the studio with the band playing the songs we recorded together last year.

See you tomorrow night!

~ACx

Photography by Julia Do Om

AC In Da House!

Greetings dear loves!

I can't believe we are almost at the end of the year! You probably don't remember, but in my last blog post, I mentioned I had begun planning another Lilygun music video! This video is still on the "To Do" list but unfortunately, I have just been too busy to get to it! It will happen but it will have to be in the New Year now which will be better for me anyway seeing as it's going to be an outdoor shoot!

In the meantime, I'm so excited to announce that I will be back on stage again this Saturday! I will be playing Bass in David Ryder Prangley's band! Here are all the details:

David Ryder Prangley

"Rachel Stamp singer, Sister Witch guitarist and former Adam Ant bassist play songs from his forthcoming debut album 'Black Magic & True Love' backed by his four-piece band."

Saturday 9th November

The Empire Bar

291 Mare Street,
London,
E8 1E
Doors 8pm
(DRP on stage 8.30pm)

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

This year, I also recorded Bass on David's new album which was awesome! The first single, Black Magic & True Love, was released on Halloween night with an official music video! Check it out here...

Here's a photo of me and Liza Bec from the video shoot!

Photography by Rowan Spray

I will let you know when the album comes out! :-)
Hopefully I will see some of you at the show on Saturday, it's going to be a great night so don't miss it!

~ACx

Time!

Its been a while...

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I have some cool photos from the What Goes Around video shoot! Some of them have been posted on Lilygun's Facebook page. If you missed them, here are a few...

The time has come for me to start thinking about the third and final Lilygun music video! At this point, it doesn't matter when we bring it out, only that we do, as I will not feel as though I have completed the second album run without it!

I know there has been a big gap between the album release and video releases but for us, it really doesn't matter! We are creating things for you, our fans, and we know that you don't care how long it takes us to bring you new things! Also, we only want to release things of quality, so sometimes the stars must align, and that can take time...

Plus, as many of you know, I run an empire that takes up a lot of my time, and so, it's a challenge for me to keep all my plates spinning at the same time! However, I feel the time to assemble my video crew is near and I'm excited to see what we come up with next!

The Inside music video behind the scenes video clips were popular, so I will see if there are any clips of us creating the What Goes Around video too! I'll get back to you on this...

Thank you all for your continued support and love, Lilygun fans really are the best! 🖤

~ACx

The Final Part!

I saved the final video clip for you from the making of the Inside music video for Halloween! Did you see it on our YouTube Channel? It's a menacing moment captured from the video shoot by the brilliant Mr David Ryder Prangley. A sufficiently dark clip for All Hallows Eve I thought!

There were a few segments to the music video. Up close and personal, weird ghost dancer and big bad bass! This clip is taken from the last segment. Enjoy Part Five here if you haven't seen it already!

I'm so pleased that so many people have enjoyed the Inside music video! It was so easy and fun to film. All the elements of this video seemed to effortlessly come together, naturally and spontaneously.

I must thank my crew: Shelly d'Inferno for the stunning job she did with my hair and makeup, David Ryder Prangley for being such an awesome director and making the whole process so enjoyable and Adie Hardy for his technical and editing handy-work. You guys are the best!

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/user/lilygun

I still have one or two more treats up my sleeve for you, plus some pretty cool photos from the 'What Goes Around' music video shoot!

Look out for them...

~ACx

Stalking The Stage

Sorry for the late Blog post, this was scheduled to go out in September but I've been so busy, I couldn't get it done! Anyway it's worked out well because now I can tell you, Lilygun is on radio today!✨

Tune into 'The Female Fronted Rock and Metal Show!' today at 2pm Eastern • 7pm UK • 11am PDT • 8pm CEST on Aii Radio here: http://aiiradio.net/ to catch Lilygun's Inside single for the second time on Scott Terence Brownstone's show!

Woohoo!

And here's a little treat for you from the 1920's!

I loved filming Lilygun's Inside music video! It gave me a chance to express myself and move in my own individual way on camera. This sequence is taken from the "weird ghost dancer" section in the middle of the song.

A gig reviewer once wrote

"Charismatic Anna Christina stalks the stage with cat-like grace".
Yes. I move like no other!

Inside Music Video - Behind the Scenes
©Photography by David Ryder Prangley
at Unit 2 Studios
Hair & Makeup by Shelly d'Inferno

Recently people have been asking me if I have changed something because I look like I'm shining!
The truth is, nothing externally is different but everything internally has changed. Of all the things I've learned how to be, I've finally learned how to be me.

Maybe I have a Part Five for you! 😈

~ACx

Becoming Me

Industry person "Anna-Christina, your image isn't appealing."
AC "But I look exactly how I want to look!"

Over the years, I have had some very tough times in Lilygun. You only need to scan over our History page to see that Lilygun has been a band with countless line-up changes and dilemmas! One of the things I have been criticised about is the way I look!

People have always had an opinion on me and quite frankly, I don't give a damn what people think about the way I look!

I have never been on stage without my hair in plaits or dreadlocks because that is the way I wish to do my hair. I have a certain style of my own. I love the fact that I don't look like any other singer and since people in the music industry are always saying they are looking for something different, I would have thought it would have been appreciated that I look different! Instead, the feedback I got was, "we don't know how to sell you"!

Rock'n'Roll is about self expression and artistry as much as the music. My image mirrors my music, difficult to define. I was told my image wasn't appealing and it's a bloody good job I didn't listen! Ironically, today, it's my image that has drawn followers towards Lilygun, and I've done a pretty great job of "selling" it myself!

There's nothing more powerful than being your authentic self. That's how you connect with people. Maybe in some way, you can inspire people and encourage them to shine the way they are, instead of trying to fit in with other people's expectations and opinions!

I'm so grateful I found a makeup artist who understood this about me. Shelly d'Inferno was so great to work with on the Inside music video. She knew exactly what to do and created a look which was perfect for this video.

Here's a little clip of her in action (with Mr Adie Hardy)...

People will always have opinions on the way you look. But really, the only opinion that truly matters about how you look, is your own. Create your own unique identity and enjoy it. The world would be a very boring place if we all looked the same!

Part Four coming your way soon...

~ACx