Anna Thompson was born to entertain. Sure, loads of kids like to sing, but Anna entertained. When she was small, she fell in love with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” and, in particular, the song “Part of Your World.” Around the same time, little Anna got hooked on “American Idol.”
Independent pop artist Anna returns with the heartfelt anthem ‘Gone (Love Letters)’. Her interest in music has been constant since childhood, though her first break into the industry occurred when she was 16. After participating in a national talent search, she was offered a recording contract by a major label. She took a step back from high school in order to pursue this opportunity, though after nearly a year of work, the label decided against pursuing a further relationship with Anna. After which she returned to school with a mere two months remaining, and managed to graduate on time with her peers. Following her rather abnormal high school experience, she took all the knowledge from her label experience, and used it to her advantage as an independent artist.
She joined forces with several other Seattle based creatives and recorded her debut EP “Centerpiece.” The debut spawned several TikTok viral singles including “Telepathically,” and “Get Me High.” Since Anna’s debut as an indie artist in December of 2020, she’s garnered over 150k followers on social media, 15k Spotify followers, and millions of streams across all platforms.
Speaking about the new release, Anna shares, “When I was writing Gone, I thought it was merely hypothetical. It took me a few days to realize it was a reflection of my unhappiness in my relationship. My writing brought out what I was too afraid to admit to myself. It was a huge transitional piece to moving forward, and doing what I needed to to be happy.”
Having posted a video of herself singing the song at her piano shortly after writing it, the video received 1.1 million views on TikTok. Commercially endearing and the type of track that you’d hear at the top of the charts, ‘Gone (Love Letters)’ speaks volumes to people feeling unhappy within their platonic and romantic relationships.
What first got you into music?
Nothing in particular got me into music, it’s just always been of interest to me. I feel lucky to have always just “known.” I began to really pursue it at age 5, in musical theatre.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
My music is everything I love about pop music. Exciting, fun production, with big dramatic vocal performance. It’s certainly not for everybody, and is awfully cliche sometimes, but I try my best to always make music I’d personally listen to. In the future, though, I hope to gain the confidence to just write how I feel, even if I don’t like it.
What is your creative process like?
My songs usually start with a brief melody and lyric idea at the most inconvenient times; like in the shower or when I’m about to fall asleep. Sometimes, I wonder how many great songs I never wrote because I was too tired to record the ideas. When I’m lucky enough to have made note of my ideas, I revisit them at my piano, and write the rest of the song around it. Then, I’ll take it to the studio with a producer, record the vocal a capella, and put production under it.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Ariana Grande!!! 🙂
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What’s the secret to making yourself noticed?
I don’t like to think of the industry as something to compete for, or anything for that matter. Competition implies winners and losers, which there shouldn’t be. I don’t think any of us should feel the need to compete as much as we should feel the need to support. Every artist has something unique to offer the industry, and the listener alike.
While strategy can be involved to expose your art to people who are likely to enjoy it, I think authenticity and competence in the craft is what’s most important.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I’m watching Season 3 of “You” on Netflix right now. I’m hoping the ending doesn’t disappoint.
What do you think the greatest invention has been?
The internet.
If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?
Perhaps French?
What is the most useless talent you have?
I have perfect pitch, which contrary to popular belief, is quite useless. I’m seldom in a situation of dire need to know the key to something without reference.
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
Maybe to enjoy being young a little more, and to think harder before making choices