Welcome to the Art and Artist Podcast! In this episode, host Kyle Ariel Knowles sits down with independent singer-songwriter Anna Justen originally from Seattle and now based in Montreal. Anna shares her unique musical journey, which began at the age of 12 when she taught herself piano and guitar. With a style that blends indie pop and folk with experimental, grunge-influenced production, Anna is set to release her debut album, "Mishu's Dream," on May 8, 2025.

Join us as Anna opens up about the inspiration behind her music, including her deeply personal songs "Buckman" and "Peppermint," which explore themes of loss, family dynamics, and finding beauty in pain. She discusses the creative process, the significance of sampling her family's voices, and the emotional connection to her late aunt and cousin.

Listen in as Anna performs "Peppermint," a song that beautifully encapsulates her artistic vision and emotional journey. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of art as a means of processing grief and creating beauty from pain.

#singersongwriter #music #podcast #songwriter #song #songs 

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Here are three takeaways from this episode:

1. Transforming Pain into Art: Anna shared how her experiences with loss and grief have shaped her music. She believes art often serves as a means to create beauty from pain. This perspective is a powerful reminder that our struggles can fuel our creativity, allowing us to connect with others on a deeper level. Anna's song "Buckman," dedicated to her late aunt, exemplifies this beautifully, serving as a memorial every time she performs it.

2. The Importance of Conceptual Cohesion: In our discussion, Anna revealed her decision to create an entire album rather than just releasing singles. She felt a cohesive project would allow her to express a complete narrative and theme. This approach emphasizes the value of developing a concept that resonates with both the artist and the audience. Anna's upcoming album, "Mishu's Dream," encapsulates her journey and the dreamlike quality of her experiences, showcasing the power of storytelling in music.

3. Embracing Authenticity in Creation: Anna's creative process is refreshingly organic. She often starts with spontaneous ideas that evolve into fully formed songs. This highlights the importance of allowing ourselves to create without the pressure of perfection. As she mentioned, sometimes art flows out of us, and embracing that natural process is essential. Her song "Peppermint" emerged from a moment of inspiration during a trip, illustrating how creativity can strike unexpectedly.

LISTEN TO ANNA JUSTEN
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5I7Lr9ifQWQv9UdzU9BZr7?si=TBwyw9ntRJC08meiAYvRZg
Apple
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anna-justen/1546982293
Soundcloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/GW18JUrnAoa8CR8R7

FOLLOW ANNA JUSTEN
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/annajustn/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@annajusten
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@annajusten

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Anna's artistic purpose
01:02 - The story behind "Buckman"
02:17 - Upcoming album details
03:30 - The decision to create a full album
05:24 - The concept of "Mishu's Dream"
07:22 - Family involvement in the album
08:46 - The organic feel of Anna's music
10:31 - Discussion on "Peppermint"
12:55 - The meaning behind "Buckman"
13:20 - Balancing instrument learning and songwriting
15:51 - Favorite chords and their significance
17:11 - Recent inspirations
18:03 - Anna's co-producer Milan
19:18 - Live performance of "Peppermint"
23:05 - Closing thoughts

Thank you for tuning in!

PYFGO