A Dirty Dozen with ANNE RICHMOND BOSTON – February 2026

Photo credit: Jason Thrasher

According to a recent press release: “I Should Be Happy on DB Records is the long-lost second solo album by singer Anne Richmond Boston (longtime member of Atlanta band The Swimming Pool Q’s). Originally recorded and produced by Rob Gal at Snack ’n’ Shack studio in Atlanta, Georgia, the mostly-originals album also includes covers of the Jimi Hendrix song, “The Wind Cries Mary,” Sandy Denny’s “The Music Weaver,” and a beautiful performance with NRBQ’s Terry Adams piano as sole accompaniment to Boston’s haunting vocal. Marti Jones and Syd Straw chime in on backing vocals on two songs on the album. I Should Be Happy is available on 12” LP vinyl, CD, digital download and streaming services. Recorded as a follow up to Anne’s 1990 solo album, The Big House of Time, I Should Be Happy was recorded, roughly mixed, and then shelved for 30-plus years for reasons not quite clear to her. Of the twelve songs on the shelved version, eight were kept (and remixed) and seven added for this release.” We get Anne to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I Should Be Happy is an amalgamation of several recording sessions comprised of different casts of characters from 1992-1995. Lots of longing and loss with a little hope peppered in. Not sure there is anything that is hiding from the listener. There is a literal hidden nugget in the hidden a cappella track “In My Life” with me, Marti Jones, and Syd Straw.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Music and singing have been a part of my life since childhood, singing at school and in the church choir. I never had “that moment” when I realized I wanted to be a musician! It sort of happened by happenstance and geography.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I always loved choral music and the harmonies and beauty of voices, but being a child of the 60’s I fell into all kinds of influences from country, to pop, to rock, soul, blues, etc. I just asked my daughter who she thought was my favorite and she said Van Morrison, so I’ll go with that for now, though he is just ONE of many.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’d love to work with Terry Adams again.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I am rarely in the studio or on tour so that’s kind of moot. I’m not sure that I’m ever unwound!!!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

With regard to this “new” album I would describe it as I don’t think I’ve ever cringed at a comparison, with the two most common being Grace Slick (early on) and Christine McVie. Who can complain?!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Ha ha ha ha. Right now the band is just coming together to play to promote shows.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’m always starstruck. It’s a weakness. I’d say that I always hoped to meet Karl Wallinger but sadly never had the chance.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Once again, music is just ONE part of my life. I had hoped it could be a bigger part but in the meantime I became a mother, had / have a career in graphic design, and struggle to keep my head above water. My dream job would be to be a teacher of some ilk.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I haven’t been interviewed much!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wish that I hadn’t given in to going to New York to have a “makeover” at the request of A&M records when The Swimming Pool Q’s were signed to that label. I’ve always regretted that I didn’t just say “hell no.”

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Goodbye Jumbo by World Party. That record is one that I listen to for hope. It’s not classic or historical but I really like all the songs and would love to have been a part of it.

Category: Interviews