#MusicMonday: Lemon Days by Annelle Staal @annellestaal #LemonDays #NewMusic #SingerSongwriter #TwitchStreamer

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Music Monday. I am hugely excited to be featuring the amazing Annelle and her new song Lemon Days, especially as Annelle was kind enough to answer some questions for me which you can read below.

Annelle is a singer songwriter from Nashville Tennesse and a very popular music streamer on twitch. Her streams are always great fun to be in and are very positive. I always feel happier and more relaxed after catching one of Annelle’s stream.

You can follow Annelle on social media or twitch by clicking on the links below.

How to listen:

Annelle’s music is available on all major streaming platforms as linked below. I have included the video for Lemon Days and The Grey which is a personal favourite of mine.

Interview:

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up a military brat, moving all around the country until I was in middle school. I love the ocean, I love animals, and am deeply inspired by the natural world. I’ve always loved making people laugh, and really care about humans in general–our collective experience, and mental health.

What first got you into music?

I love musical theatre, (and was in plays/musicals for fun since early elementary school,) and poetry. Those two things together got me into writing my own music. When it was time to get my first job in highschool, I was inspired by a local musician I saw downtown to pursue live shows at 17. I was in no-way well practiced at that age, but learned quickly and was discovered by a retired Nashville songwriter who catapulted me out to Music City!

Who inspired you to make music?

Seeing live music in any capacity when I was a kid was inspiring to me, so instead of one person it was really a long list. Worship leaders, street musicians, musical theatre actors and actresses, etc. Most of my early writings were actually little musicals, with a script and everything. (HA!)

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

As I move into this next season of music, I’m leaning in to the sounds I really love singing and listening to. They always say in creative writing circles, “write what you want to read!” In my case, I’m starting to write what I want to listen to. I love soul, jazz, and acoustic pop sounds, so I’ve noticed my writing incorporating those elements more and more.

What is your creative process like?

More disciplined writers will sit down to create as a practice, but since I’ve been writing for only myself recently, my process begins with a moment of inspiration. Emotion, nature, and moments of meaningful interaction with others usually inspire me. I then move to a chord progression or musical hook I like, and from there I write my songs start to finish! (First verse first, then chorus, etc.)

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

There are tons of amazing indie musicians I’d love to collaborate with. But if we’re talking *dream* collaboration, I would say Jack Johnson. Writing a song with him would be the most amazing experience, he is such a lyrical and musical genius.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Probably Jack Johnson! *Insert laugh here.* But I also absolutely adore Nora Jones. Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa are some of my pop idols, so it would depend on the kind of record I was touring!

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Your worth is not determined by the sum of your failures, accomplishments or the words other people say about you. You are worthy because of the breath in your lungs and the beat in your heart; you’re worthy as you are.

What is the most useless talent you have?

I can perfectly replicate Yoshi’s little “Yoshi” noise. LOL.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

I definitely do! Sometimes, if I just wrote a song and it’s really in my head, I’ll sing my own. Otherwise, whatever song is on the radio and stuck in the noggin comes out.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

I would be pursuing a degree in social work or psychology, and would want to go on to become a professor, or industrial organizational psychologist. I love studying people.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

I’ve performed all around the country, wherever I have a place to stay! I have a few favorite pubs in my hometown that gave me my start, and have performed at a couple local music festivals that were really fun. My favorite in-person show in recent memory was a singer-songwriter’s round I hosted at a theater called “The Sunrise.” I loved the energy of the crowd, the beauty of the venue, and the ability to host and make jokes alongside the songs. My least favorites are the ones where my music isn’t the right fit, because I have to adapt my style to fit the atmosphere. I have an up-coming show in Seattle at a venue called “The Barboza.” Raquel Lily, Megan Lenius, and Anna Carmela will also be on the ticket!

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has changed the music business forever. It has made the impossible possible–crowdfunding albums for indie artists, being able to develop a following without touring, etc. But it has also changed the expectations for artists. A huge part of a career in music is social media now, and I’ve noticed how that can distract from the art a bit.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Currently, I love singing an unreleased song of mine called “Turquoise!” It’s upbeat and fun to sing, but otherwise I love “The Grey.” I have a feeling I’ll really enjoy “Lemon Days,” the more I perform it as well.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

Jack Johnson, Nora Jones, Dua Lipa, Ella Fitzgeralt, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, the list could go on. I honestly admire most musicians, even if the music isn’t my personal taste.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

Oh man, honestly I’m not sure. It would depend on how you define “trouble,” but growing up I was very much a people-pleasing goody-two-shoes. I once took a zero on an essay to write my song “Dragons,” though.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

My dad once told me “perfection is the enemy of good enough.” I am a perfectionist in every sense of the word, and while I believe in doing your best always, I reached a point with my music where I didn’t want to release anything unless it was “perfect.” I didn’t want to perform unless I was “perfect.” But that mindset prevented me from sharing my music at all, and since “perfection” is so subjective and ever-changing, I’ve embraced that mentality instead of beating myself up when I make mistakes. I just keep sharing what I have, doing the best I can, and moving forward.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I wish there was a way to go viral without the pressure of constantly producing short, bite-sized, catchy visuals and audio. I wish I could refocus the industry on the real “meat” of the music, listening to an album all the way through, or even at this point, listening to a song start to finish. We love the “candy” of little catchy things, but listening to an artist’s discography is like a steak dinner in comparison.

What’s next for you?

I’ve been writing, recording, and preparing a collection of music for the last half a year. I’m ready to move into a new season, to build my sound back up, and create something new–something that has never been before. ♡

Music Monday Playlist:

You can now listen to Annelle and all the other previously featured Music Monday artists on a special playlist I’ve created on Spotify.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!