1- Where did you grow up? Saginaw, Michigan 2- What is one of the first songs you remember liking as a kid? That’s All by Genesis - was so mesmerized by that groove. Still one of my favorite songs. 3- What influenced you to get into music? One was the ability to sing in front of people and enjoying that. Two was simply loving music passionately. From as early as I can remember my imagination would completely take over whenever I listened to any kind of music. As a 12 year old I was obsessed with Mozart’s Requiem after watching “Amadeus.” A couple years after that it was the Beatles. Later as a teenager I became transfixed with the EDM I heard in the European clubs when I was an exchange student. I went through a bluegrass phase, a soul phase, and now it’s synthwave!
I sensed from a young age that music could transport, that there was something otherworldly about it, and I wanted to spend all my time in that reality. One of the amazing things about music is that you can bring it into the most ordinary moments of life - while you’re driving to work, cleaning or folding laundry, or running outdoors. Suddenly these moments become magical and you’re somewhere else — somewhere beautiful or exciting, mournful or mysterious — all depending on the music you’re listening to. Most recently, I felt drawn to creating that experience for others by producing and releasing music. 4- At what age did you start playing/singing? I started to sing with my dad when I was 3 or 4. He played guitar and banjo, and we would sing at least once a month at church, so I was pretty comfortable singing in front of audiences at young age. 5- If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself after finishing school?
I would say: Anne, you have permission to live in your imagination and be an artist. I really repressed the creative part inside me because I was scared of how much desire there was in me to be an artist. I was married at 21, and I had 3 kids by the time I was 30, and my husband had a really demanding career as a music director that moved us around a lot. I was alone with the kids quite a bit, and while they were little I had to fight to keep up my voice, piano and writing. I also had to fight the guilt I felt because I wrongly believed my attention to music was self-indulgent. Ultimately I discovered that music gives me life and nourishment, and only helps those around me. I wish I had known that sooner. 6- What are some of your favorite songs at the moment? Changes constantly, so I’ll just say one of my all time favorite songs - I listen to it everyday on my run - Afrojack’s extended version of “Take Over Control.” To me it is a text book perfect EDM track. I love EDM. I think dancing to music is one of the most ecstatic experiences you can have in life, and everyone - not just 20 year olds - should be doing more of it! 7- Do you listen to your own music? Yes! All my songs are representative of experiences I’ve had, people I’ve known, loved, lost. So when I listen, it’s a chance to relive part of my life. 8- Which musician would you like to collaborate with next? I have two potential collaborations in the works - won’t say who because it’s not in stone, but I’m excited to work with them. They are both Synthwave producers I greatly respect, and I was flattered that they approached me. 9- What is one of your favorite memories so far in your music career? That’s a tough one! My husband and I have been married for 20 years, and we met in music school. We’ve lived and breathed music the entire time, and his high points have been mine and vice versa. We share them. So, for me it was watching him win an Olivier for work he did on a Broadway musical called “Come From Away.” We both worked really hard moving our family from Seattle to NYC, spending months on tour when the kids were young, and to have that moment together in London at Royal Albert Hall was really special. That being said, I think that my favorite memory from my own career is yet to come! I’m a late bloomer. 10- What advice would you give to someone that is just starting to get into music? Fall in love with the music and let that passion fuel everything - and then - surround yourself around people more skilled and talented than you are and learn from them.
Be inspired by the talent and leadership of those who are making things at the level you want to make them. If you keep reaching for that your work will only improve.
Finally - don’t give up. I had a lot of reasons to give up - I’ve been told almost my whole adult career that my voice isn’t right for this genre or that genre. Even now I get a lot of feedback that my voice doesn’t fit my instrumentals and it’s too high pitched or “too theatrical.” And I can hear the difference between my voice and what is popular right now, and I understand why people may not prefer the sound. But I can’t change the voice I’ve been given, and I believe there is a place for it, so I keep at it.
Anniee had a single come out on May 21, 2021 called "Lonely Wolves." On August 12, 2021 a new track came out titled "Running To You" and featured Midnight Hi-Fi. Check out her music and more in the link below.
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