Anina

Interview by Carl Marsh - November 2014

Hi Anina, many thanks for doing this interview.

Hey Carl!
Good to hear from you! Thanks for featuring me on you site!

Why do you feel it is important that people, and especially young people, should read more?

Reading is important as it allows you to educate yourself. And reading also helps develop your own fantasy and creativity. Personally, I get very inspired by reading books. My mom read to me every night when I was a kid, so I learned to love books early on. It seems like every time I have finished a book, I get inspired to write a new song.

What is your favourite book, and why is that?

Oh, there are so many. I guess a lifechanging book was the Alchemist, Paulo Coelho. I read it the first time when I was 17. I read it a second time about a year later, and really paid attention to all the life wisdom that the book is full of. It made me realize how the universe works with you when you are on your right path, and that you have to be true to and talk to your heart, cause you have all the answers inside you. Since then I think I have read it 6 or 7 times.

Have you been reading anything recently, if so, what is it and was it a good read?

The last book I read was Aleph by Paulo Coelho- an amazing story about past lives and how your karma affects you today. I could not put it down! Another great one I read this summer was “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón; it’s a mesmerizing story. A total page-turner! A must read! And ”Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander, that is another interesting book. Its a true story about neurosurgeon Alexander’s near death experience.

I know you have just moved from Sweden (is that where you were born?) to the USA, and how has America being treating you so far?

Well originally, I’m actually from Norway, but I've lived in Stockholm, Sweden for the past 3 years. America has been treating me extremely well so far. It feels like I’m on the right path. Things have been working out from day one. It started at the airport when we arrived and had ordered a big van, but got a limo instead, then I lost my favorite leather jacket at the airport, and someone had actually turned it in, so I could go back the next day and pick it up! How often does that happen? I got settled with a great new apartment, and got my dream car, a red ford mustang (my last name is Stang, so I just had to get a Mustang!). As far as work, things are going very well. I’ve started working with my American team, creating a plan for my upcoming EP. I’ve met some amazingly talented people, and a new song is already born. And there are many more to be made in the near future!

I know you are a singer but I am also sure you act too? Is that the main reason you moved to the USA? For your acting, music, modelling or all?

Music is my main focus! The reason I moved to the US is that I get a chance to work with great people over here with my music. I love acting too, and if I get a chance to do some acting while I’m here, then I would absolutely do it. I have already had some parts in different movies, and TV-series back in Norway. But music is where I focus my energy now. Making music videos is one of my favorite things in the whole word, and by doing that I get an outlet for my acting. I love telling stories in my videos. Like the one for Dominoes, which is almost like a short film.

All singers have plenty of stories to tell, is there any good story you can share here, not told before?

I love to tell stories in my music and videos. So I’d say check out the music and videos!

If you could perform with any other singer, who would you choose, and why?

Oh, that’s a hard one! There are so many talented artists that I would love to collaborate with! Right now I would say my dream collaboration would be with Labrinth. I love his voice, and he is also an amazing songwriter and producer.

Same question with acting?

If I was doing acting, I would love to work with Leonardo DiCaprio. I’m sure I could learn a lot from him. Not only is he a brilliant actor, but he also seems like a very genuine guy, and I’m very impressed by, and inspired by, how he uses his position as an actor to drew attention towards imprortant global matters like the enviroment situation. By the way, a fun thing here - I sat next to a guy on the plane to LA, and he thought I looked like I could be Leonardo DiCaprios sister. I guess I could- in a movie- someday (laughing)

And would you ever consider writing a book one day, fact or fiction?

I would love to write a book. It is on my list of things to do. I have a few ideas. I really want to write a children’s book, and I am actually working on a screenplay right now.

How did you get into singing?

I got my first record deal when I was 14, but I broke out of the deal before I released anything. This was all because the label wanted me to do dance pop cover songs, and I wanted to write my own music and create my own sound. So from when I was 15, I started working with different producers on my own material, and developing my writing skills.

But I’ve been singing my whole life. When I was a kid, I was sitting in the backseat singing along to my Walkman. And if I my parents were talking to each other while I was singing, I had to rewind and sing the same part again, to make sure that they had heard all the lyrics.

Care to tell me about your latest music?

I haven’t released anything new in over a year. The last song I released was “The Young” which I also did an acoustic version of. It is a song about following your dreams and letting go of the fear that is holding you back.

I’m working on new material now that I am really really excited about. I can't wait to get it out!

What advice would you be able to offer anyone considering singing as a career choice?

Never give up! And believe in youself. If you don’t believe in you, its gonna be hard for someone else to do it. Hone your craft, work on singing and writing every day, and be the best you can be. If you are happy with what you deliver, and know it’s the best you can do, it doesn’t really matter what others think or say. Surround yourself with people who get you, stay true to your heart, and remember, one song can change your life.

What will the next 12 months hold for you?

Release of my EP (YAY!), and hopefully, I get to go on tour!

I always end on a literary theme and if you can give me your answer as if you were writing it in a book, “If you were an animal, what would it be and why?”

I would be a kitty cat. Cats are such beautiful elegant creatures. Independent, strong, flexible, quick and clean! I actually turn into a cat in the music video for “Brain Break”. I love cats! If I wasn’t allergic I would probably be a crazy cat-lady with tons of cats in my house.

Thanks Carl,

Anina

@aninamusic

Occupation: Singer
Country: Norway / Sweden

MORE INTERVIEWS

Tweets by @Newsignedbooks