GRAB YOUR GIG BAG

We’re jamming with Ana Miura

By Erica Lobdell

It’s a not-so-sunny April afternoon in a downtown in a downtown Ottawa park.  Local musician Ana Miura plops herself down on top of a weathered old picnic table, unsnaps her guitar case and pulls out the Taylor – a six-string acoustic guitar that has been her musical comrade for the past year.

“It’s my baby. I love it.  Now I understand how people get attached to guitars.  I’ve had some pretty crappy guitars before, but this one I like.  I have a relationship with it,” she says laughing. 

Dragging the tips of her fingers across the strings and tapping her foot lightly to catch the beat, Miura digs into the Dragonfly, one of the songs that will be on her first CD.

Behind her, a Jeep-load of obnoxious Toronto Maple Leaf fans roars down Elgin Street, the passengers taunting pedestrians.  But Miura is unfazed.  Tilting her head, closing her eyes, and breaking into a subtle smile, she plays on, totally blocking out the ruckus. 

“Sittin’ downtown watching all the smiles go by…,” she sings.

Last August, the massive power failure that left millions of people in Canada and the U.S. in the dark also wiped out Miura’s eight-song album (which was to be released last summer) that was stored on her computer.  Ouch.

So, a frustrated Miura headed back to the studio to re-record the lost songs.  Collaborating with Dean Watson of Coqi Records, who has worked with several local bands, Miura hopes for a summer release of her debut CD, the Tenacious Heart EP, which is in the final stages of production. 

Although she is a self-taught guitarist, Miura had formal piano training with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM).  But, like a lot of people who have been with the RCM (including this writer), Miura felt artistically confined.

“You get put into a box.  It doesn’t really allow for you to be creative.  You can be expressive, but you can’t really go off on a tangent,” she says.  “I find that when I play guitar, it’s completely different.  It’s all about being creative and piano was more about structure.”

She was 16 when she first picked up a guitar and seriously got down to work.  After pouring over chord books and sheet music, she eventually perfected the art of plucking, strumming and finger picking. 

At 18, she began jamming at venues around Ottawa with her cover duo, Meghann and Ana. 

But a solo career was waiting just around the cover for her, and so, with a stash of original songs, a guitar, and a sweet and commanding voice, she hit the Ottawa music scene on her own.

‘I always thought that if I could perform and connect with an audience, that would make a real difference,” she says.  “A lot of people can play the guitar and sing.  And some are okay or they’re great or they’re not great.  But I really try to put across a feeling and connect with the audience.”

And so far, the 24-year-old Miura, who also studies psychology at the University of Ottawa, has done pretty well for herself, playing regular gigs at Café Dekcuf and making appearances at Ottawa’s original musical mecca, Barrymore’s.  Recently, she also took the stage at the Canadian Tulip Festival. 

Miura, whose album band includes bass guitarist Ryan Hendrick, lead guitarist Dean Watson, and drummer/percussionist Tim Watson, writes the kinds of songs that bounce around in your head long after you’ve finished listening.  They stick. 

Her lyrics are straightforward and uncomplicated; sometimes a little melancholy and other times, a little whimsical.  Her voice is clean and pitch-perfect, and the melodies are punchy, drawing in a little folk, a dab of jazz, and even some bluesy bits. 

Miura is one of those artists who, if she doesn’t make it big, will make people scratch their heads and wonder why.

Still, she has her head in the business.  She networks tirelessly and acts as her own manager and booking agent.  Miura says she knows it isn’t enough just to write and play good music.

“The people who make it big have staying power.  That’s what I think record companies and bookers recognize – people who have tenacity,” she says.  “A lot of it required extensive touring.  Not just honing your craft, but making a name for yourself and letting people know you’re serious.

“Someone, somewhere is going to see you.  If you keep working at it you’re going to get some sort of break.”

The not-so-sunny day has now turned into a rainy one – the spring drizzle starts to come down.  Miura slips the Taylor back into its case and snaps it shut.  Safe for another day. 

Miura’s album will be available soon.  In the meantime, check out her website at www.anamiura.com for demos, appearances, and all the latest news.