All Of It with Alison Stewart: Annie DiRusso Performs Live in CR5
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Alison Stewart (A)
Guest: Annie DiRusso (B)
Live Musician: Eden Joel (Mentioned)
Theme: Culture and the creative process through Annie DiRusso’s debut album, live performance, and the stories behind her songs.
Episode Overview
This episode centers on singer-songwriter Annie DiRusso, who performs live selections from her acclaimed debut album, Super Pedestrian. Host Alison Stewart dives deep into Annie’s creative process, her experiences on tour, the mindset she brought to her new record, and the personal stories that shape her songwriting. The episode is rich with honest reflection, musical performance, and lessons for artists and music fans alike.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Introduction to Annie DiRusso and Super Pedestrian
- Alison introduces Annie and her highly praised debut album, highlighting NPR’s generous review calling it “a glorious debut” (00:00).
- Annie’s style is described as confessional, fun, and rock-infused.
2. Performance: "Wearing Pants" (01:32–05:20)
- Annie sets up her first song, explaining it’s from “party July” in Nashville, co-written with Rustin Kelly (00:55).
- Live performance featuring evocative, vulnerable lyrics about change, malaise, and self-discovery.
"Started wearing pants again / Body is awake but my brain is dead..." — Annie DiRusso ("Wearing Pants" Lyrics, 01:32)
3. Discovering Her Voice
- Alison praises Annie’s vocal tone (05:20), leading to a discussion about Annie’s musical upbringing.
- Annie recalls not coming from a musical family, starting with guitar just so she could sing, and joining the Young People’s Chorus of NYC around age 13 as a formative experience (05:33–06:13).
- Annie credits chorus with teaching breathing techniques and “homogenizing” tone for group singing (06:17).
"When you're singing in a chorus, you have to...homogenize your tone a little bit so that it's not too sticky." — Annie DiRusso (06:17)
4. Crafting a Debut Album: The Non-Negotiables
- Annie wrote a “list of non-negotiables” for the album — every word should be something she stands by, every sound intentional (06:44–07:51).
- She discusses making music without worrying about external expectations, focusing on what felt authentic (07:24–07:51).
"We talked about no stone unturned...make stuff that we think is cool and not worry about what other people are gonna think." — Annie DiRusso (07:36)
- The process included late-night recording sessions and a return to a childlike, creative joy (07:51–08:54).
5. Performance Discovery & Live Shows
- Annie prefers being discovered live, especially as an opener for established acts (09:01).
- She values the direct connection with audiences and treats opening as a learning ground.
6. Lessons from Touring
- Touring with Haim, Samia, and others showed Annie the importance of delivering lyrics authentically, vocal health, and structuring sets for emotional flow (09:42–10:44).
"Samia is such a great example...she really delivers each word to the audience." — Annie DiRusso (09:54)
7. "Party July" — Inspiration Through Living
- Annie describes “Party July 2023” as a turning point, embracing life, saying “yes” to experiences to fuel creativity (10:50–12:51).
- Contrasts the burnout of hard touring with the liberation of living fully and how it led to writing major songs for her record.
"I was like, when we get back to Nashville, it's Party July because I want my turn...I want to hang...writing became, I wrote three or four of the songs from the record in Party July." — Annie DiRusso (11:10, 12:44)
8. Performance: "Back in Town" (13:44–17:29)
- Annie shares this song is about longing, and the tension of yearning for someone but acting indifferent (12:55).
"I keep sending you books I know you'll never read / Guess it's all I can give that's not all of me" — Annie DiRusso ("Back in Town" Lyrics, 14:10)
- Fun banter about writing future songs (“I don’t care that you’re back in town”) highlights the evolution from emotional vulnerability to empowerment (17:29).
9. New York Roots and Returning Home
- Annie grew up in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, went to Nashville for school/music, and recently returned to New York, now living in Queens (17:55–18:02).
- The move motivated by a desire for more variety, energy, and stimulation; finding New York more creatively inspiring (18:02–19:16).
"I just felt like all the days were starting to blend together...as soon as I got here, I was like, I feel so engaged with life." — Annie DiRusso (18:14)
10. Creative Growth in New York
- Annie shares that touring makes writing harder, but New York’s dynamism offers more for observation and songwriting (19:20–19:54).
- She’s learning to “figure out where to focus in” amidst the city's chaos.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
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On Songwriting Integrity:
"I wanted every word on the album to be a word I would stand by for as long as possible." — Annie DiRusso (06:54)
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On Performing and Song Discovery:
"My live show is a really great introduction to the project." — Annie DiRusso (09:13)
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On Post-Tour Burnout:
"I'd gotten back from touring like, okay, I need to write, and then just gotten so depressed because...being completely alone and being like, what do I want to write about?" — Annie DiRusso (11:41)
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Host Banter:
"I can't wait till you're older. And you write a song called I don't care that you're back in town." — Alison Stewart (17:29)
Live Music Performances
- "Wearing Pants" (01:32–05:20)
- Raw, personal; captures themes of renewal and discomfort.
- "Back in Town" (13:44–17:29)
- Longing and emotional ambiguity; Annie’s soft yet powerful delivery.
- "Muck" (20:41–23:36)
- From the Super Pedestrian deluxe edition; represents the “New York juice,” capturing current energy in Annie’s writing.
"I guess what's wrong is when we're kissing we can't talk, but when we're talking we can't kiss...I just think about you." — Annie DiRusso ("Muck" Lyrics, 21:40–23:30)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Intro to Annie + Album Praise: 00:00
- "Wearing Pants" Performance: 01:32
- Chorus Training & Voice Discovery: 05:25–06:44
- Album Non-Negotiables & Creative Process: 06:44–08:54
- Live Show Discovery & Touring Lessons: 09:01–10:44
- Story of "Party July": 10:50–12:51
- "Back in Town" Performance: 13:44
- New York Return & Impact: 17:55–19:54
- "Muck" Performance: 20:41
Tone and Takeaway
The episode is candid, warm, and lively, with Annie’s honesty about the pressures faced as a young musician and the liberation of chasing her own creative instincts. It balances thoughtful process talk with lighthearted banter and intimate live performances, immersing listeners in the “culture” and context behind the music.
For new listeners:
This episode offers a window into what makes Annie DiRusso a compelling new voice in indie music—her careful craft, willingness to embrace messiness in life and art, and a deep love for performing and engaging with an audience.