When I met Aniwa, I didn't know I'd be sat with someone very similar to myself in humour, taste, and hobbies. What went from a lovely, laughter filled interview turned into a bonding shopping spree. Aniwa is a new up and coming artist in London who is already gaining a lot of traction - for a reason.
ME: When I first listened to your first single there was a beabadoobee vibe of soft indie acoustic kind of thing. How did that sound come about?
ANIWA: Because I first got into music through guitar, that's just kind of how I know to do it. I used to know Bea back in the day but it came very natural to me, maybe there was something in my subconcious but I definitely didn't go in with an intention, it just flowed.
M: Can we expect any new music soon?
A: Of course! I'm currently working on an EP. I was going to release the first song from there but it took a while so instead we made On My Own there and then. It's quite different from the EP so there's still a lot to come, hopefully a music video too!
M: Although you're new to the scene you already have hundreds of monthly listeners, did you expect that?
A: As much as I make it for myself, it's also nice to have some validation, people are listening to it so maybe I'm doing something right. I didn't expect it, I expected only my friends to listen to it. It's nice that people are relating to it and understanding me.
M: You've nailed down quite a personal aesthetic, do you feel that's an important part to being a musician?
A: I definitely think that for me personally. I want people to invest in me and my music, create a world and let them see inside my mind. I want to form a relationship and its nice to know people want to know more about me.
M: How did you curate it?
A: I live at home so I'm in my childhood bedroom a lot. The vibe and aesthetic and feeling in there are really comforting to me. But it's still natural, I never force anything or overthink it, it's just me.
M: How do you find the music scene in London?
A: I've been really lucky because before I got into music, a bunch of my friends were already in the industry. When I said I wanted to start making music, they were so supportive. And through them, I've got to meet loads of cool people, including my no boyfriend. Being Asian, a lot of the scenes are white dominated and they're very talented but I definitely struggle to feel as cool or feel like a fraud. But I've been involved in a lot of Asian lineups and organizations so it's great in that way. I've had labels reach out and tell me I'm making great stuff and I wasn't expecting any of it. there are a lot of people out there listening, we just don't know it. I think there's a lot of openness to new musicians. For where I am as someone who's just started, I'm doing really well. It's heartwarming to see.
M: I felt your first song was quite different to your second. Do you want there to be variety in your music?
A: I think I want to make as many different types of music as possible, I love soft sounding songs but I love hard rock songs. I just wanna make all of it. I said let me just start getting into it all.
M: Do you have a specific message with your music?
A: I think a lot of musicians do it cause they just want someone to relate to them. I think also being a brown artist, I don't get to hear brown artists make the same music as white people do such as heartbreak and stuff. It'll be nice for kids to be able to hear south asian people make music about the same things. It's so universal!
M: In a year or two from now where do you want your music and music career to. be?
A: I just want to keep experimenting with music and with different genres. I want to get everything out there and release everything out of my head. I want to play more shows since I've only just started playing them in the last year and I've only played one with a band so I'd love to play with a band consistently. I want a very solid visual and creative project, just all of it, a step into my mind kind of thing. I would like to tour, even just outside of London, or open for someone like Taylor Swift one day.
M: I like to end on a fun one - I saw you have a highlight for movies on your instagram. So if you could make a song for any film what film would it be?
A: I actually want to make a song for a soundtrack, I feel like I have movie visuals in my head when I make them. But I don't know, oh my gosh. I think something like Juno, or Shrek.
We burst into laughter.
A: There's more but I can't think of them. What do you think?
M: I think 2000's teen movies but if it's done right.
A: Oh, eternal sunshine of a spotless mind! And Wes Anderson films.
M: So, Juno, Shrek, Wes Anderson films, and 2000s teen/rom coms done right. Brilliant.
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