Joe Nolan hopes to rouse us all from our collective slumber with the video for his dreamy single Wake Up Sleepy Anna — premiering exclusively on Tinnitist.
Wake Up Sleepy Anna is a powerful anthem that reflects the central themes of the Alberta singer-songwriter’s upcoming album, Luv In The New World. Inspired by a fictional Russian princess named Anna, the song sounds the alarm for us all, delivering a universal cry for hope in dark times.
“At its heart is Anna, a fictional character who symbolizes hope in a time of darkness and despair,” Nolan explains. “She represents light, and this song serves as a universal cry for the betterment of humankind. We all pray for love in the new world.” Anna sets out to save the world, carrying a torch for those fearful of the future — an emotional call for love and healing in a troubled world.
Hailed as “an Americana wunderkind to watch out for,” Nolan is proving that praise well-deserved with his upcoming album, produced by Grammy-winner Tyler Chester. Luv In The New World was recorded live off the floor in Los Angeles with an all-star lineup, including drummer Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson) and bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Phoebe Bridgers, Lucinda Williams).
A virtuoso guitarist, elusive poet, and musical chameleon, Nolan was raised in the rural community of Sturgeon County, Alberta. Caught between two small northern towns, he found his place in this world at an early age, growing up alongside the North Saskatchewan River. Nolan has always lived on the outskirts and can be a hard one to pin down. Breaking genres and defying labels, he defines his sound as “These are my caravan diaries,” claiming to go “wherever the muse takes me.” He has garnered many accolades upon his shelf, including last year’s Canadian Folk Music Award nod for his 2023 release Lost Verses. However, he’d rather let those awards collect dust than bask in the limelight.
Known for his scrappy solo shows and arresting stage presence, Nolan’s songs are sometimes fragile and fractured, yet winningly wistful. In the next moment, he’ll throw on his weathered newsboy cap and crank out a grit-soaked howl, paying homage to the Delta blues. For a solo act, Nolan is a mountain, and audiences are his lifeblood. He continues to dazzle fans across North America and Europe, performing around 150 shows a year. Wherever he goes, you’ll likely find him near his 2003 Dodge Caravan, named Rocco, and his trusty parlor guitar — small in size but mighty in sound.
His lyrics draw a harrow over the human condition, revealing secrets that only those daring enough to cross into uncharted territory could uncover. Nolan wears the highway on his sleeve, and if you look just far enough, you might catch a glimpse of him, barrelling down the one, in big sky country.
Watch the video for Wake Up Sleepy Anna above, hear more from Joe Nolan below and settle in on his website, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
