Anna Elyse is a multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer that you NEED to keep on your radar!
Earlier this year, the rising star dropped a “haunted, hopeful and ethereal” single titled “Faster Than We Ran” on all music streaming platforms, serving as a clear glimpse into her promising future.
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Celeb Secrets, the indie-folk artist revealed the true meaning behind “Faster Than We Ran,” as well as how the song itself came to be and more.
“I wrote [‘Faster Than We Ran’] after a particularly foggy morning at the beach,” she shared. “The fog was incredibly thick laying over the ocean, and all of these romanticized scenes of this particular relationship started playing themselves out in the fog.”
“I got this hit of gratitude while I was sitting there. The kind of gratitude that makes you take a deep breath. I was just admiring that this thing had happened. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t ‘right,’ but it was this little magic time period where nothing needed to be right, it just needed to be all-consuming and exciting, and for me, that’s what life is about — feeling those huge emotions and going with the flow. It’s messy, but it’ll be a whirlwind story to look back at years later,” she continued passionately.
When asked what core message listeners will take away from the track, she revealed that it is to “just live and allow yourself to feel. It may not be the ‘right’ decision for someone else, but it’s the best decision for you to make at that time. Jump in without hesitation. If you’re going to do something, just do it to its fullest extent. It’s so satisfying to know that you did.”
After just one listen, we wholeheartedly agree! We know that the powerful messages Anna spreads through her music will have an impact on listeners for years to come, and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store as an artist.
Read our full Q&A with the budding songstress below, where we talk ALL things “Faster Than We Ran” and more. Be sure to let us know what you think of her by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Anna Elyse and stay tuned on any upcoming releases and/or shows by giving her a follow on Instagram at @iamannaelyse.
Celeb Secrets: For people who may not know you just yet, can you explain your musical style and your musical beginnings?
Anna Elyse: “I’d say indie-folk, maybe folk-pop. I’ve always wanted to release my own stuff, but I tended to stay in the background regarding music. I was in the poetry concentration at UCLA and then went to audio engineering school, so I was always writing these poems and songs and then learned how to craft the sound from the ground up. I’m someone who wants to know everything before I move forward. It wasn’t until a couple of years back that I decided enough was enough and that it was time to step into the light as an artist and release my own songs.”
CS: Your single “Faster Than We Ran” came out earlier this year on March 23rd! How has the feedback been so far surrounding the track?
AE: “Great! I’ve had more reach than ever and I’m just really excited for what’s to come. I have so many songs written and I feel as I go through the process of releasing music, I become more comfortable in expressing things the way that I want without trying to dampen them or change them into something maybe more palatable. I’m learning to just write how I want and let go of the rest.”
CS: Can you tell us a little bit about the meaning/story behind this song?
AE: “I wrote this after a particularly foggy morning at the beach. The fog was incredibly thick laying over the ocean, and all of these romanticized scenes of this particular relationship started playing themselves out in the fog. I got this hit of gratitude while I was sitting there. The kind of gratitude that makes you take a deep breath. I was just admiring that this thing had happened. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t ‘right,’ but it was this little magic time period where nothing needed to be right, it just needed to be all-consuming and exciting, and for me, that’s what life is about — feeling those huge emotions and going with the flow. It’s messy, but it’ll be a whirlwind story to look back at years later.”
CS: Who/what were some of your inspirations when creating this track in particular?
AE: “I just wanted it to transport the listener to a different world. I wanted the gray fog to represent this ethereal land outside of the black and white nature of thinking about a situation. I had started out wanting to create a landscape that I think Dermot Kennedy did really well in his early tracks, but by the time we got through the production and everything, it wasn’t really a prominent idea, more so just the idea of allowing myself to write however I wanted and create that world that I was peering into that morning at the beach. I just started reading Midsts of Avalon and I’m thinking, that’s kinda the vibe I was going for…”
CS: Who/what are some of your inspirations when creating your music in general?
AE: “It really can be anything. I find inspiration through lived experiences, but also through film or seeing a dynamic play out with other people and making up a whole world around it. Traveling is also really inspiring to me, as well as just being out in nature.”
CS: Is there a certain lyric within “Faster Than We Ran” that you are especially proud of?
AE: “‘Never could’ve captured or memorized how your hands felt. Cobblestones, teary eyes, riding shotgun in your life, we were timeless.'”
CS: If you could describe this song in three words, what would they be?
AE: “Haunted, hopeful and ethereal.”
CS: If fans can take away one core message from this track, what would you want it to be?
AE: “Just live and allow yourself to feel. It may not be the ‘right’ decision for someone else, but it’s the best decision for you to make at that time. Jump in without hesitation. If you’re going to do something, just do it to its fullest extent. It’s so satisfying to know that you did.”
CS: If fans can take away one core message from your music as a whole, what would you want it to be?
AE: “You’re not alone, and to try and zoom out from all of the things that you hold so close, the story that you tell about yourself. Remember that we are just here for a short time going through all of these crazy things, have grace for yourself, but also do the things that scare you. From time to time, detach from the person you think you are, and don’t limit yourself to who you’ve been.”
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CS: What did the process look like creating “Faster Than We Ran” in particular? Were there any quirks to your method?
AE: “I wrote it right after that beach morning actually. I recorded the vocals and guitar straight away, and then I sent the track to another producer out of New York. We traded ideas back and forth and got it to where it is now! It was fun to collaborate and see how our ideas meshed. It was the first time I worked with an outside producer, so that was new and interesting.”
CS: Where do you typically channel your creativity when making a new song?
AE: “Anywhere, really. I just need to be alone and have my guitar or piano. It helps if I’ve been in nature or if I’m traveling, but I just try to be consistent and write a little bit each day.”
CS: Is there a certain person that you really look up to when it comes to songwriting?
AE: “I grew up really into Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Eagles and Dave Matthews Band. More recently, I was really inspired by Dermot Kennedy’s early stuff. His poetry reminded me so much of how I love to write when I just let go.”
CS: Is there a certain person that you would want to co-write with someday?
AE: “Dermot Kennedy.”
CS: Is “Faster Than We Ran” a part of an upcoming project? If so, what can you tease to us?
AE: “Not yet! I’ve got a lot of new songs to release in the near future though!”
CS: With the release of new music comes room for collaborations as well! Who is your dream collaboration?
AE: “Maybe Jensen McRae. I just got into her music and she’s fantastic, or perhaps NO ID or Mike Dean. I’d just like to work with like-minded individuals who want to try stuff and release the best music we can. I’m definitely looking to collaborate with more musicians and songwriters in the upcoming months.”
CS: Do you have any plans for live performances in 2023? If so, what can fans expect to see at an Anna Elyse show?
AE: “Not yet, but this is coming together shortly! I think you can expect honesty and earnest songwriting! At some point, I may want to bring my dance background into my shows!”
CS: Out of all of your songs, which one is your favorite to play live?
AE: “I haven’t performed live yet, but I’d imagine ‘Trading Glances‘ would be a fun one to play live.”
CS: Do you have a certain city, venue or festival that you dream of performing at?
AE: “I’d love to play the Wiltern. I introduced Logic back in the day there, and I think it’d be a full-circle moment to play there myself.”
CS: Do you have any goals for yourself in 2023 career-wise?
AE: “To release more music and start collaborating with different musicians and producers!”
CS: Do you have any goals that you want to accomplish during your lifetime as an artist?
AE: “I just want to be a voice that people can turn to to help them cope and feel less alone, and on the opposite end, help put the words to and commemorate the good times in life. That’s what songs have done for me and I want to do that for people on a large scale.”
CS: What has been the all-around most memorable moment in your musical journey so far?
AE: “Probably the way the master engineering (an old friend of mine) reacted to the first song I sent him. It was the first song I showed to someone in the industry. I produced and mixed it as well, and I was just thrilled that it was being played in a professional mastering studio and getting great feedback.”
CS: Lastly, since we are Celeb Secrets, do you have any secrets about either yourself or your music that fans might not know?
AE: “I play the character Thalia on Logic’s albums!”
LISTEN TO “FASTER THAN WE RAN” BELOW:
