Casualty – Interview with Anna Akana

How do you usually write the lyrics of your songs?

I will usually lift lines from my journal and stream of consciousness write while listening to the track.

In your opinion, what is the most important thing in songwriting?

Emotion. I think people can feel when something is manufactured versus coming from a real place.

Are you ever scared of revealing aspects of your personal life/experience to strangers through your music?

Haha no. If anything, I wish I could be more censored.

What is the best lyric that you ever wrote (the most meaningful for you)?

I went to hell and I came back on fucking fire.

What inspired “Pretty Girls Don’t Cry”, your latest single?

I was going through a rough break up and the only solace were my cats and female friends. They lifted me up and carried me through a very rough year.

And “Alone Together”?

Same breakup as above! Hahaha. ‘Alone Together‘ is almost word for word a text conversation we had after he dumped me at Coffee Bean.

Do you remember the day you wrote “Intervention”?

I do! The rap verse flowed out of me pretty immediately. I’d recently made the decision to go sober shortly before completing the song.

Are you working on the release of an album/EP?

My debut album ‘Casualty‘ will be out in October.

What is the best suggestion your producer gave you?

Connect to the emotion of a song when you’re performing. If people can feel that you’re real, they won’t care about the technique or pitch being perfect.

What are your plans for the few remaining months of 2019?

I’m releasing one song a month until my visual album is done!

To conclude the interview a short Q/A session, please answer the first thing that comes to your mind:

Define in one word your song “Pretty Girls Don’t Cry”: EMPOWERED.
The best show you ever played: MY FIRST HEADLINE SHOW AT MOROCCAN LOUNGE.
The one thing that you must have in your backstage: WATERRRRR.
The soundtrack of your childhood: MULAN’S “I’LL MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU.”
Your favourite song lyrically speaking, but not written by you: ‘FAST CAR’ BY TRACY CHAPMAN.
Last question is “unusual”, we want to know your best relationship advice: BE YOU, BE YOU, BE YOU. WHAT IS YOURS WILL FIND YOU!