anmar, an interview
Photo by Sofi Hellberg Olsson
From Copenhagen, Denmark, anmar has recently released her EP, this magical place. She sent us the entire body of work back in May and we decided to track her down and ask her some questions. In doing so, we realized that she has a lot to say, so put the kettle on and cozy up to this extensive interview.
UpToHear: How long have you been making music?
anmar: For the past couple of years I have been developing my artist project anmar; a mix between written compositions, singer songwriting and music production. On the side, I work with teaching songwriting/music production etc. to young folks and then I'm part of (singer/composer) the Amsterdam-based vocal collective Vox Sturnus. I have been writing songs and facilitating creative performances for as long as I can remember - as a child when I did classical ballet and made my own choreographies with my friends, or at school when I wrote songs for a duo with my friend when we were six years old.
UpToHear: Do you have any inspirations or muses?
anmar: Music has always been a part of my life (my father is a musician), but it is only as an adult that I have dared to give myself fully to it and have realised that I am driven by creating sonical and physical universes for people to explore; therefore, it is often not in music that I find my inspiration but rather in the flashes of wonder that arise when I finally begin to recognise nature, people - the life around me. Otherwise, I often feel like I'm standing in my own bubble, looking at a world I don't understand. But to share a few of my muses - Joni Mitchell, Christine & the Queens, Imogen Heap and Björk. All artists that have insisted on doing things their own way and show artistic flavour and integrity imo.
UpToHear: How much of this magical place was written during the pandemic
anmar: The entire EP was written during covid, actually. I remember the first step on the journey back in the winter of 2021, when I had recorded some sounds and was just starting to explore how they could get new life in the Logic-sampler. Suddenly, I had created this weird groove that became the foundation of “GAIA” (first single out on January 17th, 2023). I wrote the lyrics a couple of weeks later on a train ride from Utrecht to Amsterdam - the train was packed, but I was sucked completely into the universe of Björk’s “Cosmogony;” the lyrics of “GAIA” were somehow dedicated to this daring part of myself which always takes me out where I can't find my feet but where the greatest achievements lie. And Björk somehow became the depiction of this being/aspect of myself.
The rest of the songs also grew out of a consistent play with my newly achieved skills in Logic + "what if"-moments, and I found great satisfaction in being able to work with abstract instrumental parts, structures and layers - and being able to do things myself. So all the tracks come from this place of exploration and personal growth through play and the loss of control combined with the solitude of being in a foreign country.
UpToHear: What led to your decision in releasing an EP, instead of singles?
anmar: Interesting question. I do think that the six tracks belong together in that they are all products of the same journey (the conservatory in NL during the pandemic), finding my artistic voice and coming to terms with a lot of demons from the past. “Cotton Ball” and “My Voice” are examples of this urge to feel free from your own limits and of the internal conflict that persists when you insist on going against your nature.
It never dawned on me that I could release the songs as singles, but now, after having gone through the whole process of releasing, I'm glad that I didn't have to do it six times - it requires a completely different part of myself than the one that's creating. Now I'm looking forward to going into that state of mind of creation once again .. but first some concerts ;)
UpToHear: You included extensive press releases for each individual song (thank you). Is this a common practice for you?
anmar: Yes, it's very common for me to feel the need to express myself in many words (as you may have noticed). I really admire people who don't, but I think I just really feel the urge to let people understand everything fully. I also do have a bachelor's degree from Musicology (CPH uni) which clings to me, and I enjoy being able to put into words the thoughts and emotions that lie behind my music. I think nuances are important and tend to be lost which is a shame because they're what makes something special or interesting.
UpToHear: Of the songs on your EP, you decided to release “Jive” as a single. It is a lovely track, but what made you decide to lead with this one?
anmar: Thanks! “Jive” was released on the 2nd of June together with the two other remaining tracks from the EP: “Cotton Ball” and “Spring.” I think “Jive” is quite bubbly and light in its sound, which suits the summer season really well.
For me, it's one of the more “accessible” tracks on the EP and it’s dedicated to all people who tend to think their way through life instead of just dancing with it. And how this becomes easier with someone you love by your side. So all in all it's a song with a message that is like a loving pat on the back and a reminder to myself and the listener to remember to dance when worries and anxieties are weighing you down.
UpToHear: We see that you have a release show planned for August. Are there other shows on the horizon? A potential tour? Solo or full band?
anmar: For now there's the release concert at METRONOMEN (CPH) on the 25th of August and then a small 30 min. spot in “Speake's Corner” at Tjili Pop (CPH) on the 13th of September. I also have a workshop planned on the 19th of August where a few (lucky!) people get the chance to learn and work with the choreography from my newly released live session for My Voice, which was created in collaboration with dancer/choreographer Annette Kruse Scharling. But I'm working on it. And also looking towards more alternative interdisciplinary venues.
UpToHear: If you could perform with any artist, who would it be and why?
anmar: I'm not sure about this one. Probably someone like Björk or Christine & the Queens whose stage shows are really elaborate and theatrical. But I always enjoy playing concerts with my father on the island of Bornholm where he lives and works.
anmar’s music is available everywhere, so be sure to give this magical place a spin asap!
-TM