Photo: J. Astra Brinkmann
After spending the last year delivering a wealth of broad and immersive gems, boundary-pushing artist Anastave returns to the fold once again with her shimmering new single 'Every Night'.
Taken from her eagerly-awaited new album 'I Don't Want You In The Light', which is set to drop on the 31st August, 'Every Night' makes for another rousing entry in her ever-growing catalogue to date. With its rich and dynamic textures perfectly elevating her vibrant voice throughout, she is certainly looking to lure us in with this powerful new offering.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and influences over the years.
-
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
The Cure
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so what did it sound like?
I started writing myself when I was younger, but never formed a band.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
Making music helps me connect with all parts of myself, and I hope that it connects with others as well. It quiets the noise in my brain, and while I'm writing, I'm not overthinking. It's a pretty peaceful place to be. Even if I'm angry before I write, I still feel good when I'm writing because it's like these feelings have a purpose. Aside from that, one of my main inspirations is the fact that music kept me alive when I was a teenager, and I really hope my music can do that for someone else too.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
This might sound like a bullshit answer, but there isn’t one. Every song I love is so closely intertwined with the person or people who wrote it, and it wouldn’t be the same without them. I prefer to listen to songs I love with the respect that I didn’t write them — they’re not true to me. I want what others write to be true to them and what I write to be true to me.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
The very first time someone told me my music got them through a difficult situation. Someone was writing to me as they were listening to my music and said, “Go ahead and have my heart - you can take it.” I feel very privileged that I often hear that my music impacts and resonates with other people — I believe that if you create something from a true place, it'll touch others as well. It's when you're trying to be something you're not or trying to please people that it doesn't mean anything. When you're not offering something real, it won't resonate with others.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Probably Moderat. I love their music and their live show.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
Yes, I think collaboration is a beautiful thing. It brings out sides of artists that we don’t have access to on our own. On a rather long list, I would really like to collaborate with DJ Koze and Maya Jane Coles.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself continuing to do what I love and continuing to grow in the process. Music has been instrumental (no pun intended) in helping me figure out who I am. I feel a lot less judgment for myself when I’m writing, so I will always continue to write for my sanity and hopefully the sanity of those around me. One of my favorite things is composing music for film, as those two mediums benefit each other, and that is a great gift. I really look forward to continuing this work. Last but not least, I work at an organization, Road Recovery, which is doing such amazing work — utilizing the healing power of music for good. I work with girls in rehab, kids in community centers, and it’s really such a joy to help them express themselves in a positive way. Self-expression is so important — I think it’s what sustains us — to understand and to be understood. Working with the girls in the rehab, for example, we are showing them a way of dealing with feelings — where they don’t need to numb out to cope, but are able to heal through artistic expression.
-
Anastave's new single 'Every Night' is available to stream now. Check it out below.
Comments