Hamburg’s being anne keeps it short and sweet — and wants you to focus on her music. Her latest EP thank you for ruining my summer is to the point, a vulnerable collection of acoustic songs. being anne didn’t settle for just any old release, however — she recorded herself performing the whole thing and uploaded it to YouTube. We spoke below about why and how — but you gotta listen and let yourself get taken away.
You recorded the entire EP as a music video. Tell us about that experience.
Pure joy. I express a lot through my lyrics and my voice but my visual identity is just as important to me. I love playing around and creating artistic concepts. Of course it was a lot of work and challenging as well. I’m a DIY artist and I had to produce the whole video on a low budget. So I thought it was important to have a passionate and like minded team, who could help me to make my vision come alive. Luckily, I found these people and it was so fun to work with them.
Why did you choose to release your EP this way?
I released my EP in March this year and I wasn’t happy with the visual part of it. I think a lot of people didn’t get me, because my EP is so sad, but my personality and my content is quite the opposite. I love opposites and I think it’s so much fun to do the unexpected. Also, I’ve always been terrified to be seen. But I wanted to grow past my fears and I felt like I need to express and showcase my true identity more and that’s why I decided to release a video of it. To show everyone who being anne is.
Your performances are so intense. Are you a music or lyrics first kind of writer?
I’m definitely a music girl. Melodies come to me very easily and lyrics follow shortly after. For me music and especially my voice, have been a way to express intense feelings. Words don’t do that for me as much as a sound does.
Tell us about your favorite show you’ve ever played.
In July I played an acoustic set in my hometown, Hamburg. My family and my friends were sitting at the table right in front of me. Just watching their faces and having so many important people show up for me in one place, felt truly special to me.
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
To get casted for the Rocky Horror Picture Show!!!!!