MUSIC
In Conversation With Bronx-Based Creative Force Annalise Azadian
On her single “Life Of The Party,” New York’s influence on her creative journey and making her dreams come true.
By Daija Green | Posted on October 25, 2021
“There is beauty in the process. These are the moments that I’m probably going to look back on and appreciate more when I do make it.” shares Bronx-based artist Annalise Azadian during our phone conversation. “At the end of the day, you have to be happy with what you are doing and just enjoy the process.”
At twenty-four, Annalise has established herself as a true creative force with her emotive voice, distinctive style, and artistic zeal. The singer-songwriter makes music inspired by her unique perspective on life and day-to-day pursuits. Throughout her days, she takes note of all that captures her interests and channels these moments into her art. When listening to Annalise’s music, you can feel her desire to express her souls language and passionately share vulnerable stories. Her latest release, “Life Of The Party,” produced by Grammy Award winner Swagg R’celious, is an upbeat and lively ode to her wallflower personality. Within the lyrics, she illustrates her personal journey of navigating the spotlight as an artist while finding solace in moments of solitude.
Trutuyou spoke with Annalise, exploring New York’s influence on her creativity, making her wildest dreams come true and the inspiration behind her single “Life of The Party.”
At twenty-four, Annalise has established herself as a true creative force with her emotive voice, distinctive style, and artistic zeal. The singer-songwriter makes music inspired by her unique perspective on life and day-to-day pursuits. Throughout her days, she takes note of all that captures her interests and channels these moments into her art. When listening to Annalise’s music, you can feel her desire to express her souls language and passionately share vulnerable stories. Her latest release, “Life Of The Party,” produced by Grammy Award winner Swagg R’celious, is an upbeat and lively ode to her wallflower personality. Within the lyrics, she illustrates her personal journey of navigating the spotlight as an artist while finding solace in moments of solitude.
Trutuyou spoke with Annalise, exploring New York’s influence on her creativity, making her wildest dreams come true and the inspiration behind her single “Life of The Party.”
What influence has New York had on your artistry and your unique sound?
Annalise: Being from New York is such a melting pot. It’s amazing because it's so diverse. Here we accept people as they are and there is so much inspiration in just your daily travels. I think that influences my music because I don't feel like I have to box myself in and I’m always trying new things.
When writing “Life Of The Party” what were your intentions?
Annalise: I originally wrote, "Life Of The Party," like a year and a half ago. I just had the hook of the song on a different beat and was working with a different producer. It was more like a soulful, kind of funky vibe. I let it sit in my archive with a ton of music that I have, and then I talked with The Orchard and Sony. They really gravitated toward the hook. Then Swagg, the producer I worked with on it, flipped the beat into this dance party track, and from there we sat with the writers and redid the verses together, and now we have what we have now. Which is pretty cool; it's something very different for me so it's really exciting.
Annalise: Being from New York is such a melting pot. It’s amazing because it's so diverse. Here we accept people as they are and there is so much inspiration in just your daily travels. I think that influences my music because I don't feel like I have to box myself in and I’m always trying new things.
When writing “Life Of The Party” what were your intentions?
Annalise: I originally wrote, "Life Of The Party," like a year and a half ago. I just had the hook of the song on a different beat and was working with a different producer. It was more like a soulful, kind of funky vibe. I let it sit in my archive with a ton of music that I have, and then I talked with The Orchard and Sony. They really gravitated toward the hook. Then Swagg, the producer I worked with on it, flipped the beat into this dance party track, and from there we sat with the writers and redid the verses together, and now we have what we have now. Which is pretty cool; it's something very different for me so it's really exciting.
I love the visual for the song. You actually directed and styled the music video yourself.. What was it like getting to turn your ideas and emotions into a visual?
Annalise:The video was actually my favorite part just because the concept of the original song was flipped a little bit when I sat down with Swagg. So I wanted to make sure that it was still me and still my vision coming to form. I love creative direction and this was one of my biggest productions ever. It was really cool to have everyone that I love be a part of it. Incorporating the Vegas scene at the end, which showed the metaphor for the song showing that I can be this person at the party but at the end of the day I am an introvert and I love my alone time. So that's why I'm alone in the desert in the last scene.
I’ve noticed that within your music and even your fashion style you embody a consistent colorful and lively theme. Is this intentional? Where does this love for color stem from?
Annalise: Thank you for noticing that! I never really did it intentionally, but I've noticed from my old projects like ‘Six Weeks of $even’ cover art was super colorful. The whole time when I was planning "Life Of The Party," I was seeing all these colors. It's just something that I've gravitated to. As a kid, I wore a ton of dark colors, kind of like a punk rock style, but as I've gotten older, I like things that stand out. I just kind of like to be unique.
As an artist, what do you find most inspiring, and when do you experience your greatest moments of inspiration?
Annalise: I just try to go throughout my days, and if I overhear someone say something or pass by something, I jot it down in my notes just as a reminder of that moment and what that moment made me feel. I try to channel that into my music or even the personal things that I go through. I just turned 24, and you know these are the years that we’re learning the most about ourselves.
Last year, you had a legendary moment in the studio with Will.i.am and shared a photo with the caption "Dreams really do come true." Can you describe what this moment meant to you?
Annalise: That moment was so special to me. I actually met and got to work with him a year before I posted that picture as well. I was in LA; he loved my music, and we did a song together that day. It was so fast-paced because he’s such a busy person, so I was just blessed to have any bit of his time. He rushed out, and I never got to get a picture with him, but I was like, it might be better this way because I'm going to keep this relationship with him. I didn't make it back to LA for about a year, and I got in touch with him, and he invited me back to his studio. We made another song that day and took that picture. It was just super inspiring. I felt like I was doing something right. He’s such an icon and a legend; for him to say the amazing things he said to me was so surreal. It was such a beautiful moment; I couldn't even believe I was working with him.
A piece of advice for your followers, up-and-coming artists and dreamers...
Annalise: Taking it from me, I never saw myself here but you never know what could happen with anything. So you just have to keep dreaming big even though it sounds cliche. Put the work in and eventually you will be in those doors and rooms with people that you look up to.
![Photo: @ny.ses]()
What has the experience been like for you, making your mark in the fashion industry as a creative director for Pharrell Williams' clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club?
Annalise: I actually started working at Billionaire Boys Club doing retail about 5 years ago. It was in Soho, pretty much the heart of the city for fashion. I would go outside for my breaks and sit on the stoop. I was getting approached by random people telling me that they loved my look, and I started getting modeling gigs from streetwear brands. One day inside the store, a lady came up to me asking to take my picture and for my email. A couple of months later she emailed me asking me to do an Apple campaign. That was a surreal moment for me too. After two years of doing retail, I didn’t really want to do retail anymore, and I was getting busy as an artist. I wanted to take on music full time, which I did for about a year, and then I was reapproached by them to join the team and do some creative direction work.
What can we expect from you next?
Annalise: I’m working on music with The Orchard and Swagg. I definitely have an EP and a couple of more singles coming soon. By next year I should have an album but I'm not rushing the process with that. I really want to make the best music I've ever made. I’m a perfectionist and I just want to make sure I'm putting out the best body of work.
As an artist, why is it important to remain true to yourself throughout your creative endeavors?
Annalise: Nobody is better at being you. Being you is your superpower. Especially with social media and this new day in age, it's really easy to lose yourself in comparison and what you think you should be. If you really hone in on finding yourself and dedicating your whole life path to being the best version of yourself, you’ll get the farthest you can.
THANK YOU ANNALISE ! ︎
Annalise: Taking it from me, I never saw myself here but you never know what could happen with anything. So you just have to keep dreaming big even though it sounds cliche. Put the work in and eventually you will be in those doors and rooms with people that you look up to.
What has the experience been like for you, making your mark in the fashion industry as a creative director for Pharrell Williams' clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club?
Annalise: I actually started working at Billionaire Boys Club doing retail about 5 years ago. It was in Soho, pretty much the heart of the city for fashion. I would go outside for my breaks and sit on the stoop. I was getting approached by random people telling me that they loved my look, and I started getting modeling gigs from streetwear brands. One day inside the store, a lady came up to me asking to take my picture and for my email. A couple of months later she emailed me asking me to do an Apple campaign. That was a surreal moment for me too. After two years of doing retail, I didn’t really want to do retail anymore, and I was getting busy as an artist. I wanted to take on music full time, which I did for about a year, and then I was reapproached by them to join the team and do some creative direction work.
What can we expect from you next?
Annalise: I’m working on music with The Orchard and Swagg. I definitely have an EP and a couple of more singles coming soon. By next year I should have an album but I'm not rushing the process with that. I really want to make the best music I've ever made. I’m a perfectionist and I just want to make sure I'm putting out the best body of work.
As an artist, why is it important to remain true to yourself throughout your creative endeavors?
Annalise: Nobody is better at being you. Being you is your superpower. Especially with social media and this new day in age, it's really easy to lose yourself in comparison and what you think you should be. If you really hone in on finding yourself and dedicating your whole life path to being the best version of yourself, you’ll get the farthest you can.
THANK YOU ANNALISE ! ︎
Trutuyou.