ANTJE's music 'is reminiscent of what would happen if Edith Piaf, Melanie, Suzanne Vega and Bonnie Raitt got together for a weekend retreat to toast marshmallows and write some songs,' says Lou Carlozo, the producer of ANTJE's latest album, 'Simply Being Cleopatra'. On that disc, ANTJE serves up a captivating mix that reaches into dark emotional terrain, a place many lack the nerve to visit. 'Simply Being Cleopatra' is ANTJE's second solo release on Chicago's Sweet Pickle Music, coming roughly 2 years after her 1998 warmly-received debut, 'Big Open Sky'. For SBC, ANTJE enlisted the talents of Carlozo, co-producer Michael Hagler (Waco Brothers, Pulsars) and a host of musicians from bands like Poi Dog Pondering and Buckwheat Zydeco. The result is a sometimes daring mosaic of groove-minded invention, introspection and irony.

ANTJE plays regularly with a quartet (herself included). The lineup is ANTJE on lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; Lance Helgeson on drums, percussion, and backup vocals; Joshua Piet on upright and electric bass; Kevin Skomsvold on electric guitar.

In addition to her solo work, ANTJE also dedicates time to gaining recognition for Chicago's female singer/songwriters. She masterminded the compilation album, 'Big Fish Little Fish Volume 1: Emerging Women in Chicago Music', released in summer 2000 on Sweet Pickle Music to critical acclaim and positive press. The disc, featuring 16 up-and-coming artists and benefiting Chicago's Woman Made Gallery, earned ANTJE and others a special showcase at the ROCKRGRL Music Conference 2000 in Seattle.