Digital Cover: Anna of the North
Today, LISTEN Magazine warmly welcomes Anna of the North as our last digital cover star of 2022.
Photographer: Selina Vesely
Stylist: Marissa Pelly
Hair + Makeup: Kyle Sheehan
Stylist Assistant: Sebastien Day
Creative Direction + Interview: Chris Walsh
Photographer: Selina Vesely
Stylist: Marissa Pelly
Hair + Makeup: Kyle Sheehan
Stylist Assistant: Sebastien Day
Creative Direction + Interview: Chris Walsh
Anna of the North makes the kind of music you can let loose to on the dance floor, cruise around late night with your closest friend, or throw on in the dead of night when you’re alone and need someone to understand how you feel. Trading her native Norway for Australia on a whim, she gained the nickname “Anna of the North,” underwent a creative awakening, and returned home with a renewed sense of purpose. Since 2014, Anna has quietly emerged as one of the leading voices in the alternative pop genre. She’s captivated listeners with her critically acclaimed albums Lovers (2017) and Dream Girl (2019).
On her third studio album, Crazy Life, released last month - the alt-pop phenomenon finds comfort in vulnerability by inviting listeners into her world and illustrating exactly how it’s done. Uncovering iridescence in mundanity, Anna of the North becomes a friend to confide in with lyrics geared to clarity, confidence, and a splash of shimmer. The album delves deeper into the complexities of being human - touching on small intimate moments we don’t typically share - like being sunk into the couch and not wanting to move, existing in purgatory where most of the songs are centered around being stuck and how hard it is to get out of your own patterns. Pouring her emotions across 11 tracks, this dreamy soundscape perfectly encapsulates the overlooked feelings of everyday life. Provoking feelings of melancholy, nostalgia, and love - Anna chronicles life in all of its insanity glory and bliss.
Full Look - Winnie NY - Jewels - David Yurman
Congratulations on the release of your album Crazy Life! Can you tell us more about it?
Thank you so much! It's been 3 years in the making. In a process of writing music, the start is always the easiest. It feels really inspiring and free. Finishing stuff is harder. I can be really hard towards myself. Analyzing everything. I’m my own worst enemy. So, this is such a big relief. I’m so glad it's out there and I'm really proud of every part of the album.
On Crazy Life, you experiment with new sounds and I feel like synths were a huge driving element throughout. Was the creative process making Crazy Life different from Dream Girl?
My vision for this album was to blend my two previous albums and sounds: Lovers and Dream Girl. I wanted to take the best qualities of both of them and make an Anna 3.0.
While the title is called Crazy Life, it feels very organized and cohesive sonically from top to bottom. What's the story behind the title?
Everything I write about is somehow inspired by my life and my experiences. I like to say that it's an album about everything and nothing and all in between. I can’t believe that I am here, that I exist. Everything we go through as humans. The emotional rollercoaster. The laughs, the smiles, the dance, the cries, the hurt, the party, the puke, the headache, the walk back home when you’re about to give up but out of nowhere you stumble up on the love of your life. That later leaves you cause they find the love of their life.
Dress & Coat - Norma Kamali
Jewels - David Yurman
This album [Crazy Life] feels very airy and free to me on the first listen. What are some themes you want listeners to take away from it?
The album is set to be a day in life. You start off with “Bird Sing” in the morning. And from there the album takes you through a journey with all the ups and downs during a day. It ends with let go. I’m an overthinker and I often spend a lot of time thinking about what’s been said and done during my day. Sometimes I just need to try to let my head rest. Close my eyes and let go.
How long did you have this concept for the album? Was this a direction you’ve always wanted to pursue?
The main concept of the album is the day repeating. If you look at the visualizers and music video you can see a woman caught in a time loop. I’ve decided to call this the “time loop phenomenon”. It’s a very rare phenomenon. But the few people who have experienced this all have two things in common. They were all very depressed and heartbroken. For this girl in particular, she found her way back to real life writing an album. Almost like in Stranger Things where music creates a portal back to life. Only this is real. ;)
Which track from the album challenged you the most creatively?
That's a good question. I do find all of them to be challenging in their own way. “I Do You” was the one that was easiest to write, but hardest to finish off. I think we sent the song off to streaming platforms like two days before release. Which strategically probably wasn't our best move.
Are there some tracks from Crazy Life that deeply resonate with you?
There are definitely some songs on the album that I connect with more than others. “Bird Sing” and “Listen” are some of my favorites. “Red Light” and “Living Life Right” are also two songs that I really like listening to. But that said, these are songs I connect with right now. I always change and evolve, and when I look back at my catalog in some years time I’ll probably hear them all in a different way and find a new fav song.
With this being the last month of the year - what are some of your top three highlights of 2022?
Definitely playing live again. I loved playing in Thailand, Mexico, and US. I can't wait to travel more in 2023. Also releasing an album was definitely one of my highlights. Now it's out in the universe, and who knows who it will reach.
Dress - Norma Kamali
Jewels - David Yurman
What’s something you’re looking forward to in 2023?
I'm looking forward to going on my Crazy Life tour. Some venues are already sold out. It’s so exciting to be back on the road creating new memories with incredible people. I will miss my dog tho.
Lastly, what are you currently listening to?
Right now I'm listening to SZA’s new album. She's so good.
