"I Am Harlequin's music is hard to classify a genre, there are elements of classical, electronica and more than enough pop hooks to be played on prime time radio, I Am Harlequin is certainly eclectic but through numerous tempo changes lies this beautifully produced, spellbinding pop track. I'm sure this will be a crowd splitter though fans of strong, identifiable electro-pop certainly should take note, watch the suitably off-kilter video or listen to a stream below" Just Music That I Like
"...ethereal and complex German artist, I Am Harlequin. For someone who’s only been performing in public since February, she really owned the stage and gave a fantastic, prepossessed performance...If ever there was someone who knows exactly what she wants and how to make it happen, it’s I Am Harlequin." Don't Panic
"Now, here comes I am Harlequin’s, Anne Freier, whose voice just takes my breath away. She is the ultimate, real-life princess that reminds us how music really touches all our senses that goes back to basics. This band will cast their spell on your curious mind and enchant your ears for a lifetime." MF Magazine
"I am Harlequin is the recording moniker of a German woman named Anne Freier and, if she doesn’t get picked up by a record label sometime soon, I’m going to take off my pants and chain myself to the entrance of Island Def Jam’s New York office with a copy of her album until somebody listens to it.[...] Every one of her tracks that I’ve heard thus far is filled with ideas and loaded with different soundscapes but, remarkably, it never ever feels as if she’s over-indulging her creativity. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every song of hers and will continue to do my part to get the world to know about I am Harlequin." Fred Hystere
"I Am Harlequin is very talented London-based do-it-all artist, Anne Freier." When You Motor Away
"Today I am going to give you an order. Take it as a friendly advice or as a mail of a major importance. Listen to minutely every song of I am Harlequin as if it was a question of life or death. [...] I am Harlequin is liberty." Discoverialist
"I am Harlequin’s [...] got one of those sultry, belt-it-out voices that doesn’t quit." Sentimentalist Magazine
Singer/songwriter, producer and remixer Anne Freier has been working relentlessly to create I am Harlequin.
“It all started in 2008, with some very basic ideas. But half of the album work came to me quite late. I just sat down on piano and harp one day and experienced an overflow in ideas.”
The music is defined by progressive structures, quirky lyrics and innovative arrangements. I am Harlequin music is epic indie pop with an electronic twist.
Anne was born in East Germany, towards the end of the GDR regime and was early on introduced to the world of opera and ballet, attending theater shows on a regular basis.
She cites her father's obsession with music and collection of then forbidden rock and pop music as one of the great influences on her music career.
Anne wrote her first English song when she was seven years old with the help of a bear-inspired English book for children, and her younger sister, who provided the backing vocals. The creative pair then regularly performed – using the sofa as their stage – rather uncoordinated dances, original and cover songs in front of an audience of family and friends.
Anne says that, although certain recordings of these performances exist on video, she has no plans to release them anytime in the future.
She moved to London whilst still in school and continued her public performances in the city. Anne then studied music and has since ventured on a range of projects including compositions for film and theatre.
In 2007, she briefly went through a folk inspired phase.
Her influences range from classical music, particularly the Russians of the 20th century (Prokofiev, Rimski-Korsakow, Rachmaninoff), to the advanced choir arrangements in Stephen Sondheim musicals, as well as Kate Bush, Rickie Lee Jones, Grace Slick and Joni Mitchell, whom she grew up listening to.
When Anne is not at work on I am Harlequin, she can be found working on a chaos of scores and scripts. But she admits that the bulk of her time is spent on writing new material for I am Harlequin.
“I am long not out of ideas. There’s a lot more to come.”