“Seek not to be reborn, behold I am the pearl”

—Come On Home To Yourself

Anna Kline’s vocals perfectly compliment the lyrics that speak to her move to Kentucky, and finding her personal rhythm amongst an inspiring web of human curiosity and creative emotion.” — A VOICE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Anna is a poet, musician, and songwriter who grew up in small town Mississippi between the Chickasaw Bluffs of Memphis and the furrowed rows of Delta farmland.. Hailing from a long line of musicians and singers, she was raised on a steady diet of hymns, three-part harmonies, and Memphis soul.

Her songs have a depth of feeling and insight that are at once both Southern and profoundly universal. From Memphis Soul to Muscle Shoals and Malaco Records, her roots ring clear in her songwriting and her proficiency as a vocalist. Her writing is directly influenced by the redemptive strains of gospel, the drawling tremolo of rhythm and blues, and the raw twang of the mountain landscape.

“[Anna's] voice is a marvel—powerful and expressive—with a keening, gorgeous vibrato that brings forth images of a displaced Depression-era farmer's wife, mourning the loss of her land to the dust." (DeSoto Magazine). 

In 2011, she met her songwriting partner, John Looney, in Jackson, Mississippi and they formed Grits & Soul. They moved to Asheville and crisscrossed the Southeast for over ten years. With a history of major festivals and appearances under their belt—MerleFest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Suwannee Springfest & Suwannee’s Magnolia Fest, Countryfest in Belgium—and a performance on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern—the time came when they felt led to explore new musical space. Thus, their band Swift Silver was born.

“The major draw is the emotive, soaring vocals of Kline, reminiscent of Patty Loveless’ passion, if not her voice, on her indelible Mountain Soul album; Looney cuts loose with stunning guitar work.

Out of seemingly nowhere, we have one of the strongest and most memorable roots albums of the year to date.”

— GLIDE MAGAZINE

Right after they released their self-titled album, co-produced by Wayne Graham’s Kenny Miles, in June 2021, fate threw a little twist their way, and her partner, John, went on tour with Rounder Records artist, John R. Miller and The Engine Lights.

Anna took the opportunity to strike out on her own and played solo shows revealing her talents and musical vision in a new way. Musically stripped down and onstage alone is where Anna shines. Her soulful voice rattles the rafters.

She also keeps good company in the meantime, opening for Graham Sharp of The Steep Canyon Rangers, collaborating onstage and off with regional music scene stalwarts, Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs of The Local Honeys, singing harmony with Don Rogers and The Apostlebillies, or taking part in songwriter rounds with friends Chelsea Nolan, Tiffany Williams, and Jen Tackett.

Anna co-wrote “Last Mule in the Holler” with her friend, Montana Hobbs of The Local Honeys, which appeared on The Local Honey’s recent self-titled album, and songs from Swift Silver’s debut album were recently featured on ESPN’s True South Season 5 featuring Tompkinsville, Kentucky. Anna is also part of a Kentucky Roundtable discussion for Ari Wallach’s PBS series A Brief History of the Future, currently airing on PBS. She is currently working on a collaborative songwriting and album project called Thinking Like a Mountain.

Through her voice and songs, you can hear Anna’s dedication to the musical traditions of the American South.

You'll be hard-pressed to find another voice like hers.

Anna Kline’s vocals perfectly compliment the lyrics that speak to her move to Kentucky, and finding her personal rhythm amongst an inspiring web of human curiosity and creative emotion.”

— A VOICE IN THE MOUNTAINS