Ex-THE GATHERING Singer To Release 'Pure Air' Next Week; Track Listing Revealed

Former THE GATHERING singer Anneke van Giersbergen and her new band AGUA DE ANNIQUE will release a new album, "Pure Air", on January 30. As well as acoustic versions of songs from her solo debut, "Air", Anneke's upcoming CD will contain some great collaborations. Besides Sharon den Adel, Niels Geusebroek and Marike Jager, Anneke will be joined by Danny Cavanagh (ANATHEMA),John Wetton (KING CRIMSON, ASIA) and Arjen Lucassen (AYREON).

Anneke states: "['Pure Air' is] an acoustic album with all nice and mellow songs and duets. I am so proud of all the different vocalists and instrumentalists who have worked with me on this album!

"Over the last years, I have done many guest appearances for a wide range of artists. This time I wanted to be the one to invite an outstanding lineup of musicians to contribute to my album."

"Pure Air" track listing:

01. The Blower's Daughter (feat. Danny Cavanagh from ANATHEMA)
02. Beautiful One (feat. Niels Geusebroek from SILKSTONE)
03. Wild Flowers
04. Day after Yesterday (feat. Marike Jager)
05. Come Wander With Me (feat. Kyteman)
06. Valley of the Queens (feat. Arjen Lucassen from AYREON)
07. To Catch a Thief (feat. John Wetton from KING CRIMSON and ASIA)
08. Ironic
09. What's the Reason? (feat. Niels Geusebroek)
10. Yalin
11. Somewhere (feat. Sharon den Adel from WITHIN TEMPTATION)
12. Witnesses
13. The Power of Love

At the moment, Anneke is preparing two different live sets: a semi-acoustic evening (in celebration of the release of "Pure Air") and a rock show for our upcoming dates in Greece and Latin America. She says, "We can't wait. Both events promise to be awesome in their own way!"

Anneke van Giersbergen and her new band AGUA DE ANNIQUE will stage two unique shows in February — at the Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland (Feb. 12) and at the Oosterpoort in Groningen (Feb. 13). At these intimate performances, Anneke will shed some light on her compositions through personal stories. Anneke will also be joined on stage by Sharon den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION),Niels Geusebroek (SILKSTONE) and singer-songwriter Marike Jager.

To see Anneke van Giersbergen sharing the stage with Sharon den Adel is a rare occasion. Last year, Anneke appeared as a special guest on WITHIN TEMPTATION's live DVD. Now Sharon and Anneke will join forces on stage again to perform that same song, "Somewhere". This song, in a new acoustic version, will also appear on Anneke's forthcoming album.

2007 was a tumultuous, but successful year for Van Giersbergen. After 13 years, she left THE GATHERING. During her time with THE GATHERING she evened out the path for a whole new generation of female rock singers. Soon after her departure she grounded her own band AGUA DE ANNIQUE. 2008 was also the year that Anneke, for the first time, was strongly present in the Dutch music scene. Her duet, "Als je ooit nog eens terug kan", with RACOON singer Bart van der Weide and Artists for Tibet, made it to No. 1 in the Dutch chart. Together with C-MON AND KYPSKI she made a vibrant television appearance during the "Fifty Years of Dutch Pop Music Quiz". Anneke also did an overwhelming version of ALANIS MORISSETTE's "Ironic" during the '90's Request Week on Giel Beelen's morning show on national radio.

For more information, visit www.aguadeannique.com.