Anna Nalick

California native Anna Nalick achieved mainstream prominence in 2005 through her breakout single “Breathe (2 AM),” an introspective slice of alt-tinged folk-pop storytelling that climbed into the upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 while performing even more strongly on AAA radio. Appearances on Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill expanded her visibility, yet conflicts with Columbia Records postponed her follow-up project for several years; the album eventually surfaced on an independent label in 2011. Nalick returned in 2017, shifting toward a warmer yet still atmospheric approach on At Now and its minimalist acoustic sequel, The Blackest Crow.

Growing up in the Los Angeles area, she absorbed a wide range of music, although alt-rock and classic singer-songwriter material came to dominate her tastes during adolescence. While enrolled in college, a demo she recorded at home reached production duo Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith, both founding members of Blind Melon. Together with producer Eric Rosse, known for his work with Tori Amos, they gathered a group of seasoned Los Angeles session players to track her debut, Wreck of the Day, issued by Columbia in April 2005. The earlier release of “Breathe (2 AM)” generated enough momentum to drive the album to number 20 on the Billboard 200; a subsequent re-release of the single propelled it to number 45 on the Hot 100 and number six on the Adult Top 40. In 2006 the track gained fresh traction after a key placement on Grey’s Anatomy, prompting Columbia to reissue the full album with additional tracks. The title song “Wreck of the Day” also appeared on One Tree Hill, and later that year Nalick received the AC Female Artist of the Year award at the New Music Awards, edging out established artist Sheryl Crow. A 2008 EP titled Shine served as an interim release, presenting acoustic renditions of her most familiar material alongside a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover. Meanwhile, mounting disagreements with Columbia led the label to abandon sessions for her second album and drop her from its roster. After remaining largely out of sight until 2010, she disclosed that she had been collaborating with producer Nathan Chapman and had completed the long-awaited record. Repeated postponements ended when Broken Dolls & Odds & Ends finally emerged in June 2011 via the independent imprint Nyctograph Records. Blending sharp-edged alt-pop with folk-leaning material, the album did not chart, although Nalick maintained a touring schedule and pursued additional projects that included co-writing and acting.

Six more years passed before another full-length appeared. The 2017 release At Now bridged the moody pop of her earlier work with a rootsier, folk-inflected style that touched on Americana. Two years afterward, The Blackest Crow ventured further in that direction, delivering an unadorned acoustic collection marked by jazz-tinged songs and gothic folk atmosphere.