By ThinkInElectronic / Tuesday, November 25, 2014 / No comments /
Learning Anna's Secrets
INTERVIEW
AHEAD OF ANNA'S SOUTH AFRICA TOUR WE STOLE A FEW MINUTES FROM HER TO LEARN HER SECRETS
After temporarily moving to Europe in 2008 to start pursuing an international career, things started to progress quickly, touring across Spain, Portugal, Hungary, France, Czech Republic and more. Having always been interested in music production, it was at this time that Anna got a taste for the studio and developed her unique sound of deep, yet energetic Tech-House & Techno.
Since then she has been releasing on some of the scene’s finest labels, including Turbo Recordings, Click Records, Tronic, Kraftek, Witty Tunes, Bla Bla and Toolroom Records. ANNA has also been creating a fine catalogue of remixes, giving her distinctive treatment to Gorgon City, Pleasurekraft, Baher & Fulltone, Victor Ruiz & Alex Stein, D-Nox & Beckers, The Scumfrog, Oliver Klein & Ramon Tapia, Anderson Noise, Filthy Rich, Format B and more.
ANNA’s flirtatious sound of deep & driving tech house is a testament to her passion & exceptional technical ability. With an ever-growing, adoring army of fans in Brazil and around the world, a high profile tour in 2014, and hot new releases coming on respected labels, the scene is set for this future superstar to shine.
Hello Anna, thank you so much for doing this interview with us, it's such a pleasure to welcome you to think IN electronic..
How are you doing and if you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?
Fallin’ by Alicia Keys although I would probably destroy the song as I have a terrible singing voice… Hmmm maybe I should pick a different song!
1. We know Anna as a DJ and producer tell us more about yourself on a non-musical front?
I am a movie addict, when I am not in the studio I am with my dog watching movies on the floor of my living room. I am not a huge party animal as I do it ‘for a living’ so when I do have a night off I would rather chill at home.
2. Music has been a huge part of our lives. Growing up did you always see yourself following a career in music?
I didn’t choose music, I think music chose me. I never dreamed about it, it just happened when I was 15 years old. Looking back on all these years I see that every time times were tough and I might have a little bit considered giving up on being a DJ suddenly something happened that made me not do it and I’ve very thankful that I never gave up!
3. What has your journey being like in the music industry? Take us through how you started out and how you got noticed within the dance music industry.
My father used to own a club, one day I started complaining about the DJ and he challenged me “why don’t you go there and take his place?”, so the next day I started practicing on his gear, about 8 hours every day, and 2 years later I was on my first DJ agency and then things started developing from there.
4. Producing is not a skill everyone has. How did you get into producing and do you have any musical training?
I think it is natural, I started as a DJ, but after a while, I started wanting to play my own tracks, and I was curious too. I am married to a producer; he is a genius and thought me a lot! I did drum classes for a while when I was about 16 years old, and now I do piano classes.
5. Your music to us is simple and effective where do you draw inspiration from when producing and how do you deal with writer's block?
I take a lot of influence from early house and disco, stuff from the 70s, 80s, sometimes I hear some sound and the whole Idea come into my head, sometimes I sit for hours in the studio and nothing happens, then I go throughout my samples to unlock, sometimes it helps.
6. You have had the opportunity to remix Gorgon City, Pleasurekraft and many more when tackling a remix how do you approach it?
I will only agree to do a remix if I like the remix parts, sometimes the music is great but the parts I have to work with do not inspire me so I would rather not commit to it. The way I tackle it is that I start by doing something completely new as if I’m doing my own original track and when I run out of ideas I start piecing the remix parts on top of the track and mix it all together.
7. Being in the music industry is stressful, how do you deal with the pressures of the dance world?
I meditate a lot, I practice transcendental meditation, it is a miracle. I try just to concentrate on getting better on my work and to evolve; I’ve learned to deal with the ups and downs from the music industry.
8. Following on from the question above, what have been some of the challenges you have faced or are still facing in the music industry especially being a female DJ?
I think the challenges are the same that as all the other DJs face, to put your record out in good labels takes time and persistence, so does to break into the club scene and festivals, but if you work hard at it, it will happen eventually.
9. What advice do you have for females trying to break into the scene or wanting to follow a career as DJs/producers?
Work and study a lot, learn to take criticism and keep your head up, go to venues where you'd like to play and go check the DJs you look up to playing live, meet people, having a good network can take you a long way, research new technologies and new music. If you're great at what you do, don't worry, there will be a place for you.
10. If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children about your career?
“Grama is very blessed, I used to have the best job in the world, I travelled the whole world with my music and met a lot of great people.”
11. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
A guy gave me 50 dollars at the end of my set because he loved it so much he thought I should have it. Odd....Haha
12. You are playing at Rage in South Africa; we have to ask this one what are your perceptions of South Africa and what are you most looking forward to?
I don’t know much about SA to be honest apart from Safari’s and the beautiful scenery but everyone I know who has been there told me it is amazing. I’m very much looking forward to exploring on my day off during the tour.
13. Rage is one massive celebration for everyone who has just completed their schooling career. Do you remember what you did to celebrate graduating high school?
The school threw a big party after the graduation ceremony but I couldn’t attend it because I had to DJ at a club opening which was owned by my father.
14. What can we look forward to from your performance in South Africa?
A lot of driving groovy techno. I like taking people on a journey as cheesy as it may sound. It’s going to be fun!
15. We are females and we absolutely love fashion, do you have a specific style?
I love black, leggings and am obsessed with boots. My dream is to buy a specific pair of boots from a high-end fashion label but I still have not had the courage to spend so much money on a pair of boots… It doesn’t make sense! Would rather spend it on DJ equipment!
Do you have any last messages for your fans?
I am REALLY happy to be able to perform in South Africa and I hope to meet as many of you at one of my three gigs in your country.
Thank you Anna for doing this interview with us we look forward to seeing you in Johannesburg
28th November: Synergy Festival, Cape Town
29th November: Truth, Johannesburg
1st December: Rage Festival, Ballito
Layla and Yasmin
How are you doing and if you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?
Fallin’ by Alicia Keys although I would probably destroy the song as I have a terrible singing voice… Hmmm maybe I should pick a different song!
1. We know Anna as a DJ and producer tell us more about yourself on a non-musical front?
I am a movie addict, when I am not in the studio I am with my dog watching movies on the floor of my living room. I am not a huge party animal as I do it ‘for a living’ so when I do have a night off I would rather chill at home.
2. Music has been a huge part of our lives. Growing up did you always see yourself following a career in music?
I didn’t choose music, I think music chose me. I never dreamed about it, it just happened when I was 15 years old. Looking back on all these years I see that every time times were tough and I might have a little bit considered giving up on being a DJ suddenly something happened that made me not do it and I’ve very thankful that I never gave up!
3. What has your journey being like in the music industry? Take us through how you started out and how you got noticed within the dance music industry.
My father used to own a club, one day I started complaining about the DJ and he challenged me “why don’t you go there and take his place?”, so the next day I started practicing on his gear, about 8 hours every day, and 2 years later I was on my first DJ agency and then things started developing from there.
4. Producing is not a skill everyone has. How did you get into producing and do you have any musical training?
I think it is natural, I started as a DJ, but after a while, I started wanting to play my own tracks, and I was curious too. I am married to a producer; he is a genius and thought me a lot! I did drum classes for a while when I was about 16 years old, and now I do piano classes.
5. Your music to us is simple and effective where do you draw inspiration from when producing and how do you deal with writer's block?
I take a lot of influence from early house and disco, stuff from the 70s, 80s, sometimes I hear some sound and the whole Idea come into my head, sometimes I sit for hours in the studio and nothing happens, then I go throughout my samples to unlock, sometimes it helps.
6. You have had the opportunity to remix Gorgon City, Pleasurekraft and many more when tackling a remix how do you approach it?
I will only agree to do a remix if I like the remix parts, sometimes the music is great but the parts I have to work with do not inspire me so I would rather not commit to it. The way I tackle it is that I start by doing something completely new as if I’m doing my own original track and when I run out of ideas I start piecing the remix parts on top of the track and mix it all together.
7. Being in the music industry is stressful, how do you deal with the pressures of the dance world?
I meditate a lot, I practice transcendental meditation, it is a miracle. I try just to concentrate on getting better on my work and to evolve; I’ve learned to deal with the ups and downs from the music industry.
8. Following on from the question above, what have been some of the challenges you have faced or are still facing in the music industry especially being a female DJ?
I think the challenges are the same that as all the other DJs face, to put your record out in good labels takes time and persistence, so does to break into the club scene and festivals, but if you work hard at it, it will happen eventually.
9. What advice do you have for females trying to break into the scene or wanting to follow a career as DJs/producers?
Work and study a lot, learn to take criticism and keep your head up, go to venues where you'd like to play and go check the DJs you look up to playing live, meet people, having a good network can take you a long way, research new technologies and new music. If you're great at what you do, don't worry, there will be a place for you.
10. If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children about your career?
“Grama is very blessed, I used to have the best job in the world, I travelled the whole world with my music and met a lot of great people.”
11. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
A guy gave me 50 dollars at the end of my set because he loved it so much he thought I should have it. Odd....Haha
12. You are playing at Rage in South Africa; we have to ask this one what are your perceptions of South Africa and what are you most looking forward to?
I don’t know much about SA to be honest apart from Safari’s and the beautiful scenery but everyone I know who has been there told me it is amazing. I’m very much looking forward to exploring on my day off during the tour.
13. Rage is one massive celebration for everyone who has just completed their schooling career. Do you remember what you did to celebrate graduating high school?
The school threw a big party after the graduation ceremony but I couldn’t attend it because I had to DJ at a club opening which was owned by my father.
14. What can we look forward to from your performance in South Africa?
A lot of driving groovy techno. I like taking people on a journey as cheesy as it may sound. It’s going to be fun!
15. We are females and we absolutely love fashion, do you have a specific style?
I love black, leggings and am obsessed with boots. My dream is to buy a specific pair of boots from a high-end fashion label but I still have not had the courage to spend so much money on a pair of boots… It doesn’t make sense! Would rather spend it on DJ equipment!
Do you have any last messages for your fans?
I am REALLY happy to be able to perform in South Africa and I hope to meet as many of you at one of my three gigs in your country.
Thank you Anna for doing this interview with us we look forward to seeing you in Johannesburg
28th November: Synergy Festival, Cape Town
29th November: Truth, Johannesburg
1st December: Rage Festival, Ballito
Layla and Yasmin
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