Annalise Azadian: New York’s Prestigous Soul
New York City based singer and songwriter Annalise Azadian has had music at the forefront of her life since her childhood.
Annalise’s style is a dreamy mixture of pop, hip hop, and indie-rock all combined.
We interviewed with Annalise about her musical start, favorite inspirations and challenges as an emerging artist. You can also check Annalise out in our Sound Issue released 7/21/19.
Where is your artistic home? What city, neighborhood or country helped inspire and inform your art?
My artistic home is definitely New York, I love the city, I love how unique it is, I love traveling to all different borrows, but definitely, uptown cause that’s where everything stemmed from. Lifes so fast-paced, there is inspiration everywhere whether you go to your local Bodega or on the train.
What was the last thing that inspired you?
The last thing that has inspired me, is I recently just headlined my first, sold-out show in NYC, I have played a ton of shows in NY, but the outcome and all the people that came out to see me was amazing. I also got to create the line-up, so it was a great show in general!
How do you feel artists stay relevant locally, nationally, or even globally?
I feel like nowadays artists stay relevant by changing with the times. To me, I feel like that’s why it’s so important to create the most genuine, authentic music truest to you because that will always remain timeless. The world will eventually gravitate to what’s real whether it’s now or in 10 years or in 50 years if it is just plain out good music.
As an emerging artist today, what would you say are some of the challenges you face?
Some of the challenges I face is maintaining the career, but also supporting myself financially at the same time. When you stand for something and know your worth, you don’t want to sell yourself short of anything. There’s a ton of opportunities, but its all about the right opportunity that will get you the furthest the right way. I am a true artist, I have a message, a meaning, and feeling, also something to prove.
What motto, quote or words to live by do you use to stay motivated when you aren’t feeling inspired?
“move in faith, not in fear” is tatted on my leg and its true. Self-doubt is one of the hardest battles to fight, but you have to keep faith that you on are the right path and that everything happens for a reason. I also have “ feel” tatted on my hand and this word stands out to me so much because in life you have to feel everything, the good and the bad. It’s life, the good and bad can help you gain inspiration, it’s just how you twist it.
How much has your style changed since you started doing music?
My style has changed since I started because I was so young, with growth comes change. I started with just playing my guitar and singing over it, acoustically. Then it became that, plus production around the song I created, then came to singing over beats which took me a while to grasp and now its a combination, but most importantly you have to be ready for any which way at any time, but at the end of the day you can always tell it mes on the record with my songwriting style and my voice texture.
What’s your best advice for aspiring musicians?
My advice would be, you can never be too good. There’s always room for improvement, I’m nowhere near the level I want to be at. I want to be the very best possible version of myself and make sure my craft is immaculate.
Self-doubt is one of the hardest battles to fight, but you have to keep faith that you are on the right path and that everything happens for a reason.
Connect With Annalise!
