Annie and Austin met on a Chicago community bike ride on a beautiful fall day in 2007. (Read the full story here.) Despite an amazing year and a half together, Annie left the US to return to Japan to study Japanese folk music, leaving a very sad boy behind. She soon realized where her true happiness was, and came home to Chicago a year later. After 3 and a half years of trials and tribulations, the two finally decided to make it official. The couple currently reside in Chicago, IL with their dog, Biggles.
Annie (aka Andrea) is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where she majored in Asian Studies, and studied abroad at Ferris Women's University in Yokohama, Japan during her junior year. Music is a big part of Annie's life, and she was fortunate to have been a 4-year member of the fantastic St. Olaf Orchestra, and was able to tour the US and Norway as a member of its viola section. While in Japan she also began studying a Japanese folk instrument called the Tsugaru-jamisen, an incredibly vibrant and fun stringed instrument. Annie's primary reason for returning to Japan in 2010 was to study the Tsugaru-jamisen, and she performed across Kanagawa and Tokyo, and was also a featured guest on Tokyo MX's (Tokyo Metropolitan Television) program "The Golden Hour." (See above video.) She is currently an editor with McGraw-Hill's School Education Group, where she helps develop and edit online reading intervention materials.
Austin, originally from Columbus, Ohio, moved to the Windy City shortly after high school graduation to attend the illustrious Northwestern University, where he double majored in theatre and political science, and minored in music. Austin's focus since graduation has been bikes, bands, and beer--three passions he indulges on an everyday basis. Besides DJ-ing for the Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) every Thursday, Austin was also the frontman and songwriter for the now-defunct Bainard Panic Defense, and is thankfully taking some of his material to his new project, Chernobyl Kinsmen. (Keep your eyes (and ears) peeled for upcoming shows!) In 2010, Austin proudly became a certified Cicerone, which qualifies him as an official beer expert. Austin currently works for Goose Island Brewery, where he is a Brand Ambassador, bartender, server, and tour guide.
Biggles is a 4-year-old Chicago native. He is fiercely proud of his unique, mixed heritage and doesn't let anyone forget it. Biggles enjoys long walks, harassing other dogs, eating rope toys, jumping as high as possible, and snuggling under the covers with Annie and Austin.
