After spending the last year releasing a breadth of bold and captivating alt-pop offerings, Nashville-based singer, songwriter and producer Anna Belle recently returned with her latest soaring delight 'Mortal'.
Taking her cues from the rich and euphoric 80s synth-pop aesthetic, 'Mortal' makes for a wonderfully bright addition to her growing catalogue. With light and airy production mixing effortlessly with her own otherworldly vocals, this new release sets her up for one of her biggest years to date.
So with the new single out and about, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano. Some of my earliest memories involve playing a keyboard.
What was the first song that inspired you to make your own music?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a single song. My first serious musical inspiration was Michael Jackson, so I’d say either the Thriller or Bad albums first sparked my interest in writing and producing when I was about 10.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I was a hardcore K-pop fan throughout most of my teen years. About a decade ago, I discovered SHINee, and they continue to inspire my music today. Seeing K-pop explode in the States these past couple years has been a puzzling shock and hard to wrap my head around.
What do you find is the best environment to find inspiration for your music?
I have developed a lot of my songs in the shower, whether that be starting a new idea or figuring out some verse lyrics. Any situation where I am by myself after a new experience is great too, like after a concert or meeting a new person. Witnessing anything inspiring and then building upon that inspiration is how my process goes much of the time.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the current moment, I like Naked Eyes, Enya, and Lady Gaga. I’m sure that will change tomorrow.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
This recent one, 'Mortal', was inspired by a conversation with a friend and is addressed to her. My previous single, 'Until August', was about waiting for that same friend. I’ve had other songs about people whom I don’t talk to anymore. Love songs aren’t really my thing, so unfortunately I don’t have anything that represents my 7-year relationship with my boyfriend yet.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
I was shopping at Forever 21 about a year ago. The sales associate was checking out my purchase and she said “you look like someone… Anna Belle?” I had never met this person. She then told me she found me on Instagram and loved “Nostalgia” and “Future City” (a song I am working on re-releasing.) It was bizarre that I had not only been recognized but that someone remembered my song titles. It still blows my mind to this day.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to open for Janet Jackson. I saw her State of the World Tour in Nashville back in 2017, and I loved her energy and that of the audience. My sound is a little more synthy than hers, but I could see myself hyping up that crowd.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Probably event planning or freelance writing. I love organising my own shows and reflecting on my experiences as an artist, so I could see myself applying those principles to a non-music career, maybe even as a side-hustle one day.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
One of my favorite creators told me: put out content. Keep putting your work out there until you get closer and closer to where you want to be. Your work will never be a 100% match to your creative vision—you have to keep closing that gap, whether you’re at 10% or 99%. No one is going to pay attention to you if they can’t find you in the first place, so keep making things until people find you. Always create and be proud of your progress as an artist.
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Anna Belle's new single 'Mortal' is available to stream and download now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.