Anne Steele's new album, What's Mine, paints a picture of a seasoned songstress in the throes of overcoming life's little treasures—such as heartbreak, loss and finding the courage to try again.
The award-winning songwriter met her wife of five years, Kelli Carpenter, while performing on a cruise with R Family Vacations in 2010 and it's been smooth sailing ever since. With an immediate four kids involved right from the start ( Carpenter's ex-wife was comedian and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell ), the lovebirds took things slowly—and their romance blossomed. Three years later, in June 2013, Steele and Carpenter married in New York with all four kids by their side.
Steele, an Indiana native, told Windy City Times: "We travel a lot. We have joint custody so when we do not have the kids, we are on the road with either my shows or Kelli's work with R Family Vacations, her travel company for LGBT families and their friends. When we have the kids, we are home and in full time family mode."
Windy City Times: "What's Mine" is a catchy Pop tune that has a serious, awesome message. Can you tell us what inspired this track?
Anne Steele: I had hit a bit of writers block and I sat down to watch The Linda Perry Project on VH1. She was helping young writers learn to connect to themselves and become better artists. I remember she said, "Write what you know," so I sat down, in the middle of an episode, and wrote the lyrics to this song. I kept thinking, go back in your mind and remember what it felt like to not fit in, to want something more. The message is truly that—even if you don't know it at the time—it does get better.
WCT: Your voice is melodic and a throwback in a sense to the strong female anthems from generations past. Who inspired your musicality as a child?
Anne Steele: As a child growing up, I was obsessed with Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston. I learned everything I know about connecting to a lyric and phrasing from Barbra and Whitney. [They] taught me how to feel the music and the melody. I can remember listening to every note Whitney ever sang and trying so hard to be just like her.
WCT: Were there times you were ready to throw in the towel?
Anne Steele: There was never a time I wanted to quit. That is just not in my DNA. My plan has certainly shifted and adjusted over time, but it will never dim. I love to sing. It is what I was meant to do. I am just lucky that I have found a way to continue to do that.
WCT: You say "There will be a time to find what's mine." Have you found it?
Anne Steele: I am so happy to say that I have found what's mine, in every regard. I have finally found my voice as an artist and that is represented on this EP. Personally, I am madly in love with my beautiful wife of almost two years and I couldn't be happier and more grounded. I think the professional part finally clicked on this level because I am finally so loved and supported.
WCT: There's a lot of swearing in the track "Worst I Ever Had," which I particularly love, by the way.
Anne Steele: "Worst I Ever Had" was written about my very first girlfriend. We were together for nine years and, unfortunately, the ending was a little rough. It did, however, make for a great angry song! I think everyone can relate to these lyrics. We have all been here. When it should've ended long before, but we dragged it out too long. Eventually everyone is miserable and ready to get out. I am hoping it will be as cathartic for people to sing along with it as it was for me to write it!
WCT: "Tough" seems to dig into the topic of finding someone "easy" to love. What has been your hardest relationship, and is there advice you could give young women in a similar position?
Anne Steele: I have had several relationships that didn't work out. What I have learned is that if it doesn't feel easy to love someone, it's probably not where I am supposed to be. I mostly know that now because it is so easy to love Kelli. It sounds silly, but sometimes it feels like a dream. I never knew it could feel like this. That is the advice I would give. When it's right, you will just know. I never knew love like this before and I will never know a greater love than this.
WCT: You sing, "You can't spend your life on the shore" in the track "Without You Tonight." When have you leapt in your life and never regretted it?
Anne Steele: There have been a few leaps in my life. When I moved to New York it was a huge risk for me. I am a small town Indiana girl who always dreamed of big city life, but dreaming it and doing it are two completely different things. Once I got here, I never looked back. It was the best thing I ever did for myself, even when it was hard. And it certainly had its ups and downs. But I don't believe in regret. It only ties us to the past and doesn't let us live in the present and move into whatever future lies ahead.
WCT: Have you ever regretted anything you may have rushed into, personally?
Anne Steele: Well, when Kelli and I started dating she had four kids. That was a huge leap for me, too. When there are children in the picture the stakes are so much higher because it's not just about the two of you as it's a potential family. This is another time that, once it began, I never doubted it or looked back. I truly love these kids as if they were my own. We are a family and I often struggle to find words that are big enough to represent what we all share. Life is so full different paths and choices…and I am so grateful that this is my path.
WCT: Coming from a Broadway Cabaret background, was it difficult to transition to a more mainstream album, such as What's Mine?
Anne Steele: This transition was not difficult at all for me. The truth is, although I have found my home for many years in the Broadway Cabaret scene, my true passion lies in singing Pop. I have always wanted to make a record like this. It's truly a dream come true, and I hope people can connect to it the way I believe they will.
WCT: I can't help but hear a hint of Gloria Estefan's tone in "Shadow of You." Who are some of your musically driven female inspirations as an artist?
Anne Steele: My current female inspirations are Kelly Clarkson, Pink and Sara Bareilles. I am obsessed with Kelly's voice and range; I crave Pink's tone and heart; and Sara's incredible musicianship and beautiful songwriting ability. They all inspire me in such different ways, but they all play into who I want to be as an artist.
WCT: The gay anthem "Don't Tell Us How to Love" could not have better timing with the Supreme Court of the United States getting ready to rule on marriage equality nationwide this summer. What are your thoughts on the current state of the LGBT civil rights movement?
Anne Steele: I never dreamed that we would be where we are today when I was growing up in that small town in Indiana. I never knew I would someday legally marry the love of my life. That is all because of so many years of hard work by countless people fighting the good fight for equality. Even though things are changing, the fight cannot stop. I wanted to release this song in support of the movement and somehow hope to support [and] lift up all those kids still living in those small towns just hoping that it will get better.
Anne Steele will be in Chicago to perform at Davenports, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., on May 15 and 17. Find out more about Anne Steele by visiting www.annesteele.com .
