Flo Anito: Press

FLO IN THE WASHINGTON POST!
Last year's MetroPerforms! pilot program received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the public, and several artists who got a spot enjoyed it enough to audition again this season.
"It went really well," Flo Anito said of her set at the bustling Gallery Place-Chinatown Station last year. "People kept trying to tip, but of course, they aren't allowed to." ...
Anito, who said she is a "young twentysomething," is influenced by artists such as Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor. When she sang an original composition Saturday afternoon, the judges stopped her and asked, "Can you play something upbeat and that we are familiar with?" A pause and a visible racking of the brain followed. A few seconds later, Anito launched into a cover of Blues Traveler's "Run-Around," to the obvious delight of her auditors.

Wesleyan University alum Flo Anito’s many Los Angeles fans are voting in excitement as she is one of five finalists in a major contest. The contest is entitled "Cosmo Radio Breaks the Band with Cocktails with Patrick." Cosmo is a Sirius (satellite) Radio station and "Cocktails with Patrick" is the title of one of the daily programs.

Flo explains, "I found out about the contest via one of my Facebook friends and submitted my song 'Uh Oh.' I'm not sure how many entries there were to begin with…" but there’s been probably more than 100. Flo excitedly exclaims, "I found out a few days ago that 'Uh Oh' was selected for the final 5!"

Flo just finished a music video directed by Francisco Campos-Lopez for the song. To vote is as simple as 1-2-3: 1) go to sirius.com/cosmoradio 2) click on the Flo radio button, and 3) click vote! Flo expresses appreciation for her loyal and rapidly growing numbers of supporters and gratitude that "the timing couldn’t be better."

Pop/jazz singer Flo Anito was filming a music video at Capital City Diner today!

It's more than just cupcake baking that goes on during the normal staff's day off at the Capital City Diner. Today jazzy pop musician Flo Anito is filming a music video there. Sneak a peak at the action here. Via Twitter.

Flo Anito—I don’t really know who she is, but apparently she might open for Hanson—is shooting a video at Capital City Diner.

Art, Wine, and a block Party; how could this not be fun? The Washington Examiner’s ARTS ON FOOT, centered at 7th and F streets, NW, takes over four blocks with expansive programming. The event opens with a juried fineArt Market featuring 50 artists and live entertainment from Wednesday, September 8 through Friday, September 10 from 11:00am to 7:00pm daily (on F Street between 7th & 9th). Music performances throughout market hours include renowned local artists Flo Anito (jazz-pop), Dave Chappell (guitar), Janine Wilson & Max Evans (acoustic roots), Seth Kibel (instrumental jazz), and The Sweater Set (folk).

The distinctive combo of easily enjoyable accessibility with a true depth of feeling, thought, and truth reminds one of the Cromwell, Connecticut native himself who grew up minutes from Wesleyan where Tierney Sutton, Flo Anito- (the subject of upcoming article), and MGMT members attended, where avant-garde jazz legend Anthony Braxton teaches.

2-3pm- Classically trained in voice, piano, and cello, Flo Anito is a DC based singer/songwriter who has gone pop! Flo was recently named as a Finalist in the Sirius Cosmo Radio Breaking the Band Contest! You can check out her music and vote for her at http://www.sirius.com/cosmoradio until 11:59pm August 30.

ON TAP REVIEWS "NO DUSTBUNNIES"!
Flo Anito has made D.C. her home, and we are the better for it. Her release “No Dustbunnies” is filled with heartache, lost love, ambition and hope, The effort put into creating this record is evident. Strong female songwriter with a piano makes for comparisons to Tori or Fiona, but that isn’t fair. Her bluesy, soulful takes stand out. Check out “Man of the Year,” “Work!” and “Drunken Letter.” — Robert Fulton

Once, while borrowing a friend’s IPod I heard an artist that struck me. Her name was Flo Anito. I will never forget listening to her music. Soothing is an experience that is hard to come by but Flo Anito, as her name states in a way, has a sound that flows through an ear in a soothing manner and yet has a catchy tune that you can’t do anything but hum.

Flo stands out with her music and style. From what I’ve heard, she is a performer who engages everyone and is truly lively. I know that I am no wordsmith but I really do mean those words above. There is something about her music that is comfortable and fresh. If you are new to her music check her out quickly. I found her randomly and was excited from the first song I heard.

So then, I spoke with one of the individuals who did sound for her, Phil Bena Jr and heard some of her first-class live-recorded music. He created a small track that I listened to and couldn’t believe her live feeling and enthusiasm. I bought her CD quickly after hearing her live at the Christmas events in DC.

Anito has played at venues all over Washington DC and still should be booked even more. If you’re a business who wants a crowd pleaser hire Flo Anito and she will bring an audience into her music at a dinner / home / restaurant / coffee house / or stage.

Acrobatics and acoustic melodies will waft onto City Dock this Sunday as daring aerialist Moira Lee kicks off the day's performances, followed by the acoustic sounds of Swampcandy, Gary and Leah, and Flo Anito. It's all part of the Summer at City Dock taking place at Susan Campbell Park Sundays and holiday weekends throughout the summer.

D.C. favorite Flo Anito wraps up the day with her unique jazzy pop sounds. Anito is fast becoming a rising star in the D.C. music scene and was a favorite of the judges at the Summer At City Dock open auditions last spring.

Highlights of Celebrate Fairfax:

"At times reflective, other times humorous, all the time entertaining, area singer-songwriter Flo Anito is a welcomed reprieve between rock acts."

Flo Anito is a classically trained singer who has gone pop, plain and simple. She’s the got the face of a pinup and the voice of an angel, she is MTV bound.

Check out our picks for must-see Art Unplugged performances after the jump.

With 38 impressive performances to choose from, it can be daunting to pick your best bet. Gates did the work for you; here are some recommendations for the remaining performances this summer. (Remember, admission is free!)

Flo Anito
Saturday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
A twenty-something songstress whose sweet vocals have just enough edge to make it interesting, reminiscent of a Fiona Apple pop/jazz track.

LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW:
District of Sound.com introduced itself to the world on November 19th at DC9 with the help of a few friends, including Flo Anito, Temporary Basement, The Gypsy Sons, and The Fishermen. In keeping with DoS’s mission, all the bands were selected because they highlight some of the best local music the DC area has to offer. It was a great crowd with a little bit of something for everyone. The night rocked—literally. Expectations were definitely high for DoS’s inaugural event, and no one wanted to disappoint.


Flo Anito
You know you have a great musician if they can put a stop a conversations midway and turn a few heads (in a good way) all before the end of their first song. Flo Anito, a long time DC performer, made the audience take notice with her masterful command of the guitar, keyboard, and voice that could make even the most crappy day better. She opened up with one of her newer songs, “Gallery D”—a thoughtful tune supported by a pop infused beat that will remind you of some of her other songs like “Uh-Oh” and “No Dustbunnies.” The audience was treated to her melodic introspection and musings on love, life, and the meaning of it all. Ms. Anito manages to turn the mundane into something extraordinary through her music.

INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS (DC/BALTIMORE/PHILLY MUSIC BLOG) BLOGS ABOUT FLO!!!
DC’s very own classically trained vocalist, pianist, and cellist, Flo Anito is out and about in the area this summer promoting her new record, No Dust Bunnies. Sweet, sultry and surprisingly concise considering her classical background, Anito's style fuses Ani DiFranco and Jewel (pre-her silly pop phase) and still comes out a little more like Nelly McKay than I could have ever hoped.

And then we close out with Flo Anito’s “No Good.” It’s warm and jazzy, full of piano and bluesy organ fills, with lyrical phrasing that lazily wraps around the lines, creating a nice smoky atmosphere. You can catch her across the river at the The Red & The Black in DC Friday, July 25th.

Trust me, when I say ... "Flo Anito's NO DUSTBUNNIES will make a perfect Holiday gift".

ACOUSTIC DISTRICT REVIEWS "NO DUSTBUNNIES"
Let's get this out right off the bat; I am a Flo Anito fan. I have been anxiously awaiting this album for almost two years now. With that in mind, throughout that time I have had very high expectations for it. What I hoped this CD would capture is at the same time what I feared it never would, the wit and innocence of Flo's voice, through her music.

I have not been disappointed.

No Dustbunnies comes barreling out of the gate with the radio ready "Man of the Year". Caught off guard with the simplicity of the first verse, Brian Jones opens up his drums, taking the music to a new level all together. It is hard to make it through this song without exclaiming Flo Anito has arrived!

Flo has managed to create a variant of pop on this album that I am affectionately naming "Sugar Pop". Chris Keup and Stewart Myers have done an exceptional job at taking Anito's sweet sounding "Pop" and giving her a sharpened "Rock" edge, leaving the songs dynamic and versatile.

Stand out tracks include the aforementioned "Man of the Year", a top 40 hit in any listener's ears. "Change My Life", borrowing notes from The Fray, creating a piano based ballad about growth, integration and moving in a new direction. "No Good", a song about un-reciprocated love with a chorus that I still find myself singing and finally, "No Dustbunnies" a song that showcases Flo's creative lyric writing, painting a world where Beaver Cleaver still roams the streets – a place where Flo longs to be, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

You can pick up the CD at – www. cdbaby. com/floanito – you will not be disappointed.

Tom Goss
The Acoustic District

FLO NAMED TOP LOCAL DC BAND BY MI GENTE HISPANA!
Flo Anito is an artist that has been interested in music all of her life. When she was younger she use to beg her mother to let her be in the Mickey Mouse Club, but she never did get the chance. However, her love for music never died, and she continued to make music. Flo Anito is starting to become a very well known singer in the Washington DC area, not only for her great music, but her good looks and charms as well. She pours her heart and soul into her music, and this is something that can be heard when listing to her songs.
Interview:
Q: How old where you, when you got started in the music industry?
A: I started working in musical theater when I was nine. I loved being on stage. I’ve played piano since I was five, the cello since I was ten, and the guitar since I was sixteen. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t sing. I use to beg my mom to let me audition for the Star Search, Kids Incorporated, or even the Mickey Mouse Club, but we live in upstate NY and it never really happened. I majored in Music at Wesleyan U (CT) though, and that was when I realized that songwriting was what I wanted to do.
Q: What got you started making music?
A: High school made me crazy and music kept me sane. I listened to a lot of Jewel and Ani. There songs were a light at the end of a dark tunnel to me. I figured if they could untangle things with music, I might as well give it a shot. So I started writing while I listened. I filled up a zillion journals. I wrote a song for a speech at my high school graduation and when I got into college, I stated performing my songs at Cafes, dorms, the bookstore…
Q: Who are some of the other artists and musicians that you like to listen to?
A: Right now I listen to Feist, Julieta Venegas, Regina Spektor, Nellie McKay, Ingride Michaelson, Postal Service, Thievery Corporation, Ben Folds Five, Amy Winehouse, Georgie James.
Favorites are Elle Fitzgerald, Counting Crows, Celia Cruz, REM, Ani Difranco, Fiona Apple, Shakira, Radiohead, Paul Simon, Kanye West, Pete Yorn, Jamie Cullum, The Weakerthans, and Jewel.
Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your spare time?
A: I play on four soccer teams so that eats up a lot of time. I just got back from a tournament in Vegas. I Love dancing as well. Especially Salsa y Merengue. I go to a lot of concerts, and I travel whenever I can.
Q: How do you come up with new music? What is your inspiration?
A:Most of my songs are about my life. People, places, books, and situations that I have encounter and the inspiration as well, I guess. I am also not very brave about having big conversations so whenever one of those is due, I tend to write a song……or five.
Q: Which song that you have written I your favorite, and why? What is the meaning behind it?
A: That changes with the hour but the title track of my album “No Dustbunnies” is definitely one of my favorites to perform life cause I love watching the audience’s reaction to it. I wrote it one day when I was “people watching” in Cleveland Park and I saw all these couples holding hands and men carrying bougquest. I found myself wishing I had that in my life and then I got frustrated at myself for wanting that and started to make fun of myself a bit. I guess the song is really a bit of a throwback to the 50’s with a toungue in cheek modern twist. People always ask which side of the song I’m on. Feminist or Anit-Feminist, and it usually opens up some cool conversations.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get started in the music industry?
A: Get a Myspace Page!
Q: Were your family and friends supportive of your music and your choices to get into the music industry?
A: My mom used to cart me around to my music lessons and play rehearsals, but she’d always tell me I should be a surgeon cause I had agile fingers from playing the piano. My dad wasn’t thrilled with the music idea in the beginning. He wanted me to be a lawyer, eek! These days though, everyone is really supportive. My sisters and brother help me out a ton, and my friends are super!
Q: Where do you see your band in the next few years?
A: Touring, touring, and touring some more (with two albums, not one).
Q: What is the overall goal or dream that you want to achieve with your music?
A: I want to help someone else the way that the music I listened to has helped me. Music save me and I’d like to pay it forward. Of course it would be cool to be on the cover or Rolling Stone too….

DISTRICT OF SOUND INTERVIEWS/FEATURES FLO
Classically trained in voice, piano, and cello, Flo began her career as a singer/songwriter at age 16 when she got her hands on her first guitar. Her lively performance style, along with her powerful voice and candid lyrics make her a force to be reckoned with!


Photo provided by Flo Anito

WHY DID YOU GET STARTED IN MUSIC? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING?
I’ve been singing forever... I started playing piano when I was five ‘cuz my mom made me. I picked up the cello in elementary school ‘cuz the orchestra teacher said my hands were too small for the bass. And I took up guitar ‘cuz I wanted an excuse to get my crush over to my house in high school. I started performing for audiences when I was nine—that’s when I started working in musical theatre and I did that through college. I went to Wesleyan thinking I’d be an actress, but I started performing my original stuff in college and it felt so good to spill my soul that I ended up here ;)

WHAT IS THE BEST SHOW YOU’VE EVER PLAYED AND WHY?
I love the National Cherry Blossom Festival—it’s my favorite gig. There’s a big stage set up in front of the Jefferson Memorial, you’re surrounded by the cherry blossoms, and as long as the weather’s warm, there are soooo many people from soooo many places. Last year I finished my set with a Euro-trance beat song and there were probably 60 elementary school kids dancing plus three Russian high-schoolers who had taken the arms of the elementary teachers. Another year, an Argentinean soccer team joined me on stage for a picture. Strangers have sent me photos and videos after the shows and I always meet really interesting people there. It’s pretty amazing.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC CAREER IN 10 YEARS?
I hope to have a few more CDs under my belt by then and I’d like to be touring nationally and internationally. A mention in ‘Rolling Stone’ wouldn’t be too bad either... And maybe someone else could do my booking? That’d be nice ;)

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SONGS?
Hmmm... life, loves, family, friends, strangers, books, conversations, other music, the weather, the occasional vodka tonic...

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE TO BOOK A SHOW?
To book a show, I’m not sure. I played a really strange gig at Gold’s Gym in Arlington. I was set up right next to a bunch of treadmills and Stairmasters and I sang while people sweat... That was crazy slash stinky.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE AISLE IN THE GROCERY STORE?
The fruit section—mmmm’ raspberries are delicious!

DO YOU PREFER AISLE, MIDDLE, OR WINDOW?
Aisle—freedom, movement, quasi-views out of both sides of the plane, people watching. What more could you want? Does anybody say middle?

Joel's Picks – by Joel Sparks
SUNDAY JULY 1 FLO ANITO AT THE WONDERLAND BALLROOM
A gentleman and a scholar, Michael Jantz continues to host local musicians at his Sunday night Wonderland gigs. Anito makes original singer-songwriter material something like Fiona Apple. Jantz will also play his own soulful, introspective ballads.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006:Flo Anito returns to Downtown Holiday Market @ 12n today
When passing through the 2006 Downtown Holiday Market on Sunday afternoon, 17 December 2006, en route to the 2006 National Hanakkuh Menorah Lighting, I had the pleasure of listening to bluesy pop artist Flo Anito performing at 2006 Downtown Holiday Market (pdf) entertainment stage…
To learn more about Flo Anito visit her website or myspace. And, by all means, stop in at the 2006 Downtown Holiday Market between 12 noon and 2 pm today, 20 December, which is when Flo Anito returns for a repeat performance

On June 8, five musicians, including Goss, will play at Potter's House to support Charlie's Place: Taylor Carson, Bobby T, Flo Anito and Hilary Morgan. Goss does bookings for showcases in the city, and these are a handful of his favorite musicians…"The musicians are donating their time to Charlie's Place. They're being very gracious. I can't speak highly enough about the performers, their music, their persona. They're good people to know about in the city."

You will fall in love with Flo Anito! I saw her at an DC Acoustic Underground event recently and she completely enveloped the room. A tremendous local talent, reminiscent of Regina Spektor/Ani Difranco/Fiona Apple with acoustic and classical influences. A wonderful voice, seemingly timid musician until the first note is struck. ..
Note: I am in no way affiliated with Flo or 219 and do not stand to benefit from this event (other than great music at a fav restaurant with cool peeps)

I knew it! I knew it would happen! Flo Anito is such a wonderful talent and endearing performer, I knew she would win over a few more. Had it not been for the hungover bartender and an ill-mannered table too close to everybody, it would have been a perfect night…
- POST EVENT FEEDBACK >> Comments
-Lauren awesome:Flo was amazing and the venue was a welcomed surprise! I say next time we just take over the audience so we don't have to worry about obnoxious drunks :). Would definitely do it again!

-Michele_R: Great Time! It was definitely a great time, and great venue. Thanks for hosting Mike

-Prateek Absolutely! A very relaxing evening out and everyone was great. Flo was amazing. I think I liked 'I am mean' song most, it sure was hilarious. Thanks Michael for planning this.

-CharAnn yes, indeed i fell in love with her. i would have gone to see her at the RnR if I didn't already have plans:( i will definitely follow her on myspace.com...thanks for introducing us to a great new artist and the acoustic underground.

Up next was Flo Anito, super- short, cute and talented. But, there was one odd thing about her song choice that Michael and I noticed. She sang 12 songs about failed relationships??? Even I don't havethat many and I am not even of the super-cute variety... To add to the quirkiness, she mentioned that the night before she had dismissed
Freddie Adu without giving out her number. Which led to me to two immediate conclusions: One, I wasn't even going to try small talk. Two, just who were the 12 that impressed her more than the young millionaire soccer hero that they get songs about them??? Guess, I'll never know ;-p

NICCI M REVIEWS "NO DUSTBUNNIES"
What I’m listening to- Flo Anito
Category: Music

A friend of mine just gave me a new CD by a relatively unknown singer/singwriter named Flo Anito. Usually, I listen to these things once and then add them to my stack of CDs to listen to later. However, I am now hooked on this one and I can't get enough of it. She sounds like Tory Amos or Fiona Apple without all of the melancholy! The songs are really catchy, with articulate and clever lyrics. Myspace gets a shout out in her song "Uh Oh!" I find myself singing along to the the bluesy hooks of "no good". "MEAN" is a fun song, and so is "no dustbunnies", which will have you yearning for (or laughing at) a life from the 1950's. But the breakaway song with the most mass-market appeal is "What you don't know can hurt you". I think that will be her first hit. It is a GREAT song.

The album is called "no dustbunnies" and you can buy it from her web site, www.floanito.com. Sadly, it is not available on itunes yet but I have already asked them to start selling it. I promise you will love this CD- in fact, if you buy it and don't find at least one song you like, I will reimburse you for the cost of the CD! You can't beat that! Check her out!

after attending a 2008 flo show at Solly’s: Colleen told me a story the other night about a creative writing class she took in college. Apparently, an intrepid and uniquely honest boy brought up the question to the class of why, exactly, didn't any of their poems sound anything like the professional writers whose work they studied? What was that thing that separated joyce, neruda or austen from their peers? We still don't know, but we think you have it! Rock on, chica!