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- We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed Pop/R&B singer and songwriter Anna Storm; greetings and salutations, Anna! Before we dive into the Q&A mosh-pit, how is the freshly-minted autumn of 2023 treating you?
First off, thank you for having me and highlighting me in your magazine. Fall 2023 is SLAYING obviously, but that’s just every season in my world. No matter the season, it’s #STORMSZN! I’ve been working hard on finishing the music and visuals for my newest upcoming release, Clown Tears during this fall.
- Congratulations on Clown Tears, your upcoming new single and music video which is set to premiere this October 31! What inspired this gem of a tune?
Thanks so much for that! Clown Tears was 100 percent written by me, and was inspired by the experience of a toxic relationship. It’s a very deep and raw cut for me, which explores a new facet in my musical career. When you are a loving and empathetic person and your partner takes you for granted in the relationship, it becomes lonelier than even just being single. The person doesn’t value you, but the person basically values nothing– most of the time, the person doesn’t even value themselves. Regardless of how much you love this person, you have to love yourself more and empower yourself to know that no matter what happens outside yourself, that you are going to be alright. The “Clown Tears” have a couple of meanings: 1. Wearing a smile to the outside world despite what is going on internally 2. Your partner being a clown/fool for not treating you like the QUEEN you are. I know a lot of men and women can relate to this song, so I wanted to create something relatable and also inspirational to encourage people to LOVE THEMSELVES and not LOSE THEMSELVES in loving another person who doesn’t fully appreciate them.
- Who was your producer on Clown Tears and what did the collaboration between artist and producer look like in the studio?
I actually bought this beat off YouTube from Pacific Beats, so there was no collaboration in the studio between us. I just love the electro/dark-pop vibes of this beat, and it was really easy to write to– it was a perfect canvas for my lyrics and melody and it took an hour tops to write. It’s somber, but also has a highly infectious bassline which makes it catchy. While in the studio, I used Myke Casen of NuSoundz Music as my audio engineer– he is a dream to work with– super fast and he gets my vision. The actual recording process was done in under an hour– that’s how magical Myke and I are together– Myke also mixed and mastered the track. He just gets it and the whole creative process is effortless. Myke is a true professional and helped to make Clown Tears the BOP that it is!
- In your humble opinion, what differentiates Clown Tears from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?
What is different about Clown Tears than the “competition” on the 2023 music scene is that it’s very on trend sonically with the more new age dark-pop sound, but my vocals are also pretty soulful. Also, the rap part after the second chorus and various ad libs throughout are very quirky and give the song character. While Clown Tears encapsulates angst in a relationship and has a certain bitterness about it, there is a very on brand “Anna Storm” empowerment message in the song: LOVE YOURSELF, and don’t LOSE YOURSELF trying to love someone else! While Clown Tears is a highly emotionally charged song, it’s also very catchy and easy to dance to– the perfect blend of EMO and #SLAYLIFE!
- On the heels of the release of the new single, can fans look forward to an EP or LP release from you in 2024?
I’m not going to say a ton on this, but my fans/STORMTROOPERS can expect my first EP release in 2024– and it is ICONIC!
- Who inspires you musically?
I am inspired by so many different types of artists, but my most listened to genres are rap and pop. As for rappers, its gotta be Pusha T, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, Da Baby, Playboi Carti, Migos, NaS, Petey Pablo, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, and Eminem. I could name so many more rappers both old generation and new generation because I love hip-hop. As for the pop side of things, I am inspired by Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, Lauryn Hill, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, and Doja Cat. The song Clown Tears was definitely inspired by Billie Eilish as it has that dark-pop vibe– it also was inspired by listening to a lot of Britney Spears’ album “Blackout.”
- How is Clown Tears similar to some of your past music? How is it different?
Clown Tears is definitely the most EMO release of mine so far, as my other releases were all very upbeat in lyrical content and very carefree. With this release,I wanted to show another layer of myself as an artist– I wanted to delve deeper into my heart and soul. I’ve never talked about relationships in my releases before, so Clown Tears is a first– I think there is tremendous strength in being vulnerable– we are all human and we all have emotions. Despite the more emotional tone of Clown Tears, it is still focuses on empowerment as a core message– loving yourself enough to sever ties with a relationship that is no longer serving you– putting yourself on the pedestal. YOU CALL THE SHOTS AND YOU ARE A QUEEN– YOU SLAY ALL DAY WITH OR WITHOUT THEM! Just like my other releases, Clown Tears is very catchy and danceable pop! It’s STORM 2.0!
- With the release of the new single, what does your touring/performing dance card look like in the coming weeks and months?
I’ve been performing pretty regularly in SoCal, so definitely more performances in the San Diego and LA area. Perhaps some performances on the East Coast are in store? An Anna Storm national tour…?
- You’ve been seen to good effect on Snapchat’s Phone Swap, Amazon Prime’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls and Netflix’s Chad and JT Go Deep. Will we be seeing more of you on the small and big screens in the future?
You will definitely be seeing more of me on TV– I love acting and being on camera! I am most comfortable when the spotlight is on me– I feel at home. Expect to see much more from me!
- You hail from the beautiful state of Connecticut. How do those roots inform you as an artist and as a person?
Well, I like to think of myself as the antithesis of Connecticut. A lot of people know that I was bullied growing up in my small Connecticut hometown which made me turn to music as a means of self-expression. I was naturally very creative growing up, and people saw that as weird– it actually forced me to become more eccentric and creative in order to channel my frustration. I became a very strong person and better artist because of the adversity– I wasn’t like everyone else, and I didn’t want to fit in– I embraced my quirks despite the hate. This pushes me to become a voice for other people who feel picked on and bullied– if I can teach people to love themselves despite any hardships they may be facing through using my platform, that is a W to me!
- At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving your beautiful new single Clown Tears many-a-spin on their respective turn-tables?
I hope listeners play Clown Tears and know that regardless of how you feel in their relationships, you ARE NOT ALONE! You are beautiful, you are strong, and you are worth more than a person who doesn’t truly see your value! Being in love can be amazing, but falling in love with yourself is the greatest love story! #SLAYLIFE I love you besties!!!!
