ANIE DELGADO TALKS WITHOUT YOU

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of culture as creative

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

What is ‘Without You’ about. What were you inspired to explore with this song?

'Without You' is about grieving someone who is still alive. It’s a celebration of the autonomy you gain from walking away from something that is not right for you. Last year, I started doing The Artist’s Way and journaling everyday. It was the first time in a long time I felt tuned into my own thoughts. In my musings, I wrote this line in my journal, “I wish I could hate you, the way that I hate me.” At the time, I was realizing just how negative I was to myself and how much grace I give other people, especially those that hurt me. I think my empathy is one of my superpowers, but I was frustrated to realize that I rarely emphasized with myself, this inspired me to write 'Without You' and explore that feeling of letting go of the concept of yourself you had in the context of someone who was hurting you and learn to step into your own power and fall in love with yourself.

What was it like working with producer Olivier Bassil on it?

I love working with Olivier. He starts from a production-perspective, so I shared a few recent songs that I loved the production on, and shared what I liked about them. I also shared some visuals that were inspiring me lately and from there he developed the production. I wrote with a few co-writers as he produced the track and we really built around each other at thesame time. The production influenced the melody and lyrics and the melody and lyrics influenced the production. We wrote the song in about four hours. I really love working with Olivier because he’s really passionate about what he does and he’s committed to executing the artist’s vision and seeing it through. I am learning how to produce myself, so I am building my production vocabulary and have a lot of production ideas. He’s so patient in making sure the song is really the best it can be and reflects all of my ideas. Besides that, he is an incredibly talented producer and creative and a champion for independent artists.

This song isn’t the first time you’re, perhaps, using death as a bit overly dark and dramatic metaphor for endings. What makes that such an effectual, strong image for you to use do you think?

I feel like when you end a relationship you are kind of killing off an old version of yourself so the new you can emerge. In that way, these types of endings make me think of death. It’s kind of like the death card in tarot where it more so symbolizes endings, transformation, and new beginnings.

It’s a song that comes off as deeply cathartic. Does coming out on the other side of a song, having sat in feelings and thoughts change how you relate to them?

Definitely. I think if you ask any artist their songs grow and evolve with them. I love this lyric by Lucy Dacus where she says, “In five years I hope these songs feel like covers, dedicated to new lovers.” I think for me when writing 'Without You' the scorned and resentful verses and pres felt more raw whereas now I really lean into the catharsis of the hook being on the other side. It’s great to have time on my side and healing to really feel the full effect that the catharsis brings. I think songwriting is so cool because it is sort of snapshots of who I was in that exact moment. I can definitely point to emotional growth, as I go through my catalogue.

You’re of course used to big drama with early stage days acting in musicals and the like, it was also Lindsay Lohan’s 'Freaky Friday' remake that first got you to pick up the guitar?

That’s right! I was like a little kid and it was maybe the first time I saw a girl shredding on guitar and writing songs and being in a band and I was so inspired. So for my birthday that year, my parents got me an acoustic guitar with flowers all over it. I took some guitar lessons after that but where I really fell in love with music was writing my own songs.

Does thinking about Pink Slip in that film still hold allure for you. It’s never too late to start a band?

I do love the camaraderie of being in a band. I actually was in a band before I started my solo project! We were called Dr. Medicine and we gigged a lot in New York. One thing I dislike about being a solo-artist is how lonely it can feel. Even though I have some peers I admire and have built friendships with, you truly are building your project on your own for a while. At the same time, I love creative control. I would love a little collaborative side project one day.

Staying true to yourself doesn’t just touch on relationships and such but maybe also your place in the music-industry. How have you found just being you as an artist, not comparing, or seeking approval, outside your own needs and wants?

Man, what I have found is every “industry professional” will have different advice on who you are and should be. The truth of the matter is there are many ways to do it, but the only way that you can be wrong is if it’s inauthentic to you. I spent the first few years in my career listening to all of the white noise from industry people. While their ideas might work for someone, ultimately, in my opinion, you have to just make what you like and what feels authentic to you. I’ve had the most success at that and more importantly the most fun.

How are things shaping up after this, are you working on anything we can start getting hyped up for?

I am! I have two more singles coming this year! I honestly love them! It's kind of embarrassing, but I listen to them on repeat. I’m also working on an EP.