Anjalts – Somewhere in the Sky

By starrymag | April 19, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Alternative Hip Hop, Melodic, Trip Pop, Dream Pop, Darkwave, Psychedelic – it’s been labeled as such. Still, it’s Instinctual music to me.  Creating and writing from this innate space resonates with me most because it’s about improvising in the moment on whatever instrument you’re playing, writing or singing that I find to be the most natural way I usually record and keep my first takes.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I have so many and in so many genres, too. I have always loved artists and bands that can write and play their own music, produce it from start to finish. The ones with their own sense of style, voice and passion go beyond taking themselves too seriously and just enjoying the moment of making music intuitively.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song, “Somewhere in the Sky.”

 

A) Writing “Somewhere in the Sky” was like replaying the dreadful reality I felt after losing friends to a crazy unforeseen virus that has caused such wasteful loss of human life. These sudden moments I struggle with the most when trying to let them go – asking questions like why did this have to happen. And there is only so much you can do to truly cope with it and move on. Sometimes it isn’t enough and while the world rushes forward everywhere, you still have to deal with your own heart and stop it from tearing itself apart every time. It’s a realization that they are “not coming back.” Maybe there is some comfort in believing they are still here with us…Somewhere in the Sky.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The conflicts we carry within ourselves, the back-and-forth struggle to let go of what we tend to hold on to so tightly. Then, finally, it’s finding the strength to do just that and find some kind of balance to move on.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video takes place in outer space, where a time traveler goes back in time to find Earth in hopes of fixing a past mistake of having lost the one that she loved the most. I am a big fan of sci-fi and anime movies. So, when I originally wrote the concept for the video to take place on a spaceship, it was supposed to be an anime video, but I didn’t have the budget to bring it to that level. So, I tried to create it as close to the story as a Visualizer instead, with lyrics and some fantastic spacey animation. I would love to work with a dedicated anime team someday for my vids.

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I don’t think a song has any specific way it’s written – it’s an intuitive process not operating a rocket to the moon   Artists feel everything around them and expressing it in an art form of music is just one way. Sometimes I grab the guitar and just start playing and there is a song. It’s in the moment of improvising that can happen anyplace and anytime. Now, I keep a sketchbook by my bed because one time, I woke up at 5AM and started writing lyrics on my pillowcase.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Everything – from start to finish. My home studio has all my instruments set up and I love mixing the songs. I play around with panning knobs and tweaking the mix to where I want it to be. However, I have a deep respect for mastering engineers, so I get my songs final masters done with guys from Abbey Roads studios for now.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Yes, I wrote most of the album for a 12-song project called Air to Fire due this summer. I’m just releasing my singles from it as fast as time allows me to do so. There are seven singles out so far, and I’m releasing “Calling Out” in April. I’m also very excited about forming a band and starting to perform.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform, and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I love traveling and performing, especially to places where they love your music and just want to sing along and dance with you. I don’t have any favorite place yet, but I hear from so many people on my social media to visit their country to perform and I hope once I get my band together, I can be there soon. For now, I’ll try to put out more videos.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) As a producer and songwriter, I hope to produce a theatrical play on Broadway since I have written one that’s ready. I hope I can work with other movie soundtrack greats like Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman or even my favorite anime film composer Joe Hisaishi who wrote scores for films like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Spirited Away.

 

Q) What album/artist are you currently listening to, and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I’m listening to Massive Attack, J Dilla, Bjork, Tricky and Martina Topley-Bird. I love their vibe and originality in allowing their listeners to enjoy the experience overall.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s about some connection, especially as a generation of musicians that grew up in this Information Age of smart devices. It’s just a part of our lives as much as sharing our music with like-minded listeners tuning in. Although it has its good and bad factors, I feel as human beings we are much more significant than social media by far. No app can ever truly show my life’s experiences in a natural way, like face-to-face connection with someone.

As a musician, it’s great to share new song releases, videos, playlists and impressive innovations. Sometimes even talking to everyone live is fun too. It’s the times we are livin’ in.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Indie musicians and artists are the last to know if their work ever touched anyone. So, keep reaching out and let them know. There are many super talented indie artists unheard of today in the underground music scene being discovered now. It’s great to be a part of this movement that is embracing them, not because they are signed to some major label, but because they are signed to themselves first and vested in their own willpower to create their music that is untainted for new listeners out there. And I’m grateful to be a part of that change.