INTERVIEW: Emmy’Anna – An independent and versatile artist from Alabama

Emerald, known by the name Emmy’Anna, is a young female, independent and versatile artist, who has had a love for music since her childhood days. She started writing lyrics at the age of 8, and states that though her style is mostly Rap, she appreciates Rock and Alternative Rock music.

1. Can you tell us a bit about who Emmy’Anna is and where you come from?

Emmy’Anna: I am a very diverse and versatile musician from Alabama.

2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences that you can remember?

Emmy’Anna: At first it was Beyoncé and Destiny’s child then when Nicki Minaj came out, she inspired me a lot.

3. If I was to turn on your media player right now, which artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?

Emmy’Anna: Recently played you would see YNM Melly and probably Trippie Redd.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners?

Emmy’Anna: If anything I just want girls like me, especially girls that look like me who have dealt with depression or anxiety or any mental illness for that matter, to feel like they have someone they can look up to and someone who is relatable to them.

5. How strict are you about making diverse genres of music? Do you stick to just one, or are you open to various styles?

Emmy’Anna:  I’m open to various styles of music and actually listen to various styles of music. I’m open to pop, rock, alternative rock and all of that. 

6. What kind of music do you like listening to aside from the music you’re writing or performing?

Emmy’Anna:  I listen to a lot of alternative rock.

7. Do you ever write a song with current musical trends, formulas or listener satisfaction in mind, or do you simply write what comes from your heart?

Emmy’Anna:  Sometimes I will make a song that some people would call a “radio hit”, for hype and all of that, but most of time I feel better when I write what’s really on my mind and in my heart.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?

Emmy’Anna:  Honestly from the moment I hear a beat I can hear my flow in my head and how I want to sound on it. The biggest thing for me is taking what’s in my head and putting that on a track

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your career or life so far, and how did you overcome the event?

Emmy’Anna:  I would say finding my voice. Before I was doing songs that wasn’t really me and I feel like now I’ve finally found my voice and now I’m doing the music that I really want to do

10. What would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your career so far?

Emmy’Anna:  I think it would just be the day I realized I actually have real fans out there who actually like and listen to my music that was a very significant time for me because before I was just uploading stuff and it wouldn’t get many plays or feedback and now I upload something people are waiting for it and they give me feedback.

11. What is the best piece of advice regarding the music business that you actually followed so far, and what is the advice you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?

Emmy’Anna: Best piece of advice ever is to stay true to yourself. Do the music that makes you feel good in your soul.

 

12. How do you handle criticism, haters and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

Emmy’Anna: I can be very sensitive but each day I’m learning to grow a thicker skin. I handle haters by ignoring and blocking them.

13. Which aspects of being an independent artist excites you most and which aspects discourages you most?

Emmy’Anna:  It excites me that right now I’m able to do what I like to do. The thing that discourages me about being independent is that constant need to want to be signed. Because I feel like being signed just helps make you more mainstream. 

14. What is your relationship with visual media? Do you think videos are important for your music, and do have a specific video clip you would like to recommend that fans watch to find out more about your craft?

Emmy’Anna:  I do think videos are important and I do think it’s good for people to actually see you and see who they’re listening too and that’s something that I’m working on more of this year for my fans.

15. In general, do you consider music and social media platforms as fundamental in building a career in music today, and what is your personal relationship with the new technology at hand?

Emmy’Anna:  I think it’s an important aspect in today’s time. Personally I love using Instagram and snap chat and twitter. It’s just easier to get my music out there instantly.

16. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music  maker, and the transition towards your own style?

Emmy’Anna: lol well that’s the thing I was talking about earlier about finding your own style. Like I said Nicki Minaj was an inspiration to me so you know at one point I would try to sound like her on tracks and then idk it was a process but like I said now I feel like I’m more true to myself and now I don’t feel I sound anything like her or anyone else but like Emmy.

17. Creative work in studio environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two do you ultimately prefer and why?

Emmy’Anna:  Studio for sure. I’m kind of an introvert so definitely gonna choose studio environment cause I can be in my zone and it just me so I feel like I’m in my safe place.

18. Do you have a personal favorite track in your catalog that has a specific backstory and/or message and meaning very dear to you?

Emmy’Anna: Right now my personal favorite song is “Through some shit” and the backstory behind that song really stems from a joke. I actually wrote the entire song while I was on the phone with this guy I was talking to at the time and he just was kinda talking about how he had to go through some shit and I think I made a joke and said I had to hoe through some shit or something like that and then I wrote that song lol. I was really feeling this guy around that time so the song is based off of feelings that I had at that time.

19. What do you find most rewarding about what you do?

Emmy’Anna:   The fact that there are endless possibilities.

20. Do you have a specific vision or goal that you would like to achieve in 2020?

Emmy’Anna: It’s a big goal but I do want more exposure this year of course and I would like to be signed eventually.

SOCIAL LINKS: Instagram: @emmyyanna / Twitter: @emmyyanna / Facebook: Emerald Georgie’Anna Bennett / Snap chat: Emmyyanna