Anja Steinlechner is an Austrian-born singer/songwriter. She has recorded with several well-known artists as well as for TV shows. "Hanome" a duet she recorded with famous Greek singer Notis Sfakianakis was featured on his album As Milisoun Ta Tragoudia. She also did the song "Do Anything" which was on the soundtrack for the German children's cartoon Simsala Grimm. Another song of hers "Bringing Out the Best of Me" was featured on the WB Series Jack & Jill. She also sang and co-wrote the main character song "Falling Apart" for the European-Bollywood movie Bombay Dreams. She co-wrote (with world renowned songwriter Jörgen Elofsson) the platinum selling single "Why does i rain" for Swedish singer Darin. German Idol runner up Martin Stosch sang "I can reach heaven from here" (another writing collaboration with Elofsson) in 2007. Anja is currently putting all her focus into her career as a solo artist and songwriter, writing not just for her own project but other international acts.
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Anja's rock band came together sometime around 2006 and featured Steve Schalk (brother of ex-Candiria drummer Ken Schalk) as well as Jordan Plingos (of 40 Below Summer) on guitars. It also featured other musicians from the New York City area, Teddy Williams on bass and Troy Young on drums. The band recorded an EP entitled "Step into My World" which was self-produced by Steve Schalk along with Max Illidge (of 40 Below Summer). Max also provided some background vocals on a few of the songs which he co-wrote with Anja... The groups sound on one of their pages was described as "Mariah Carey singing for Stone Temple Pilots."
The bands first show was on November 4, 2006 - a nearly sold out crowd opening for 40 Below Summer and Black Market Hero at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. This was one of just 2 shows drummer Troy Young played with the group after which he was replaced by Carlos Aguilar (also of 40 Below Summer) After this the band continued to write songs and play shows many of which were at Arlene's Grocery in New York City with hopes of gaining label interest and signing a deal. Throughout 2007 the band played roughly 10-12 shows, one of which was on July 21st as an opening act for the record release of Long Island hard rock band Year of the Locust (Ride On) featuring Chris Redd (Chris Kerrigan) on lead guitar formerly of hardcore/punk legends Murphy's Law. Their last of which being October 4, 2007. While reception at the shows and online was mostly all positive the band never signed with a label and drummer Carlos Aguilar left in the fall of 2007. Micah Havertape formerly of the group Flaw filled in for a few shows and it took the band months to find their full time replacement in Ricky Solerno. In 2008 for unknown reasons the band appears to have not been active in over a year.
Anja has listed her vocal influences as Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Riperton, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Beth Gibbons of Portishead.
Anja's unique appearance is due to her mixture of Austrian, Asian and Spanish descent.
"Step into My World" EP (2006)
Other Songs