“All my truth
Drowned in water deep
And I never followed down
No I never dared to see…”
We can´t get the track “I Never Really”, by Swedish singer-songwriter Anna Leone, out of our heads anymore. “The song deals with the idea of suppressing things you don’t want to deal with and wondering if that’s right or wrong and how that impacts your life and relationships.” tells Anna and we followed up on her thoughts of what those suppressing things could be and the moments she feels most herself.
Hey Anna, I really love the track “I Never Really”! You said that “The song deals with the idea of suppressing things you don’t want to deal with and wondering if that’s right or wrong and how that impacts your life and relationships.“ Can you give us a practical example of what those suppressing things could be or are for you?
Hey! I rarely sit down and think “I’m going to write a song about this thing that happened to me”, it’s more that I discover the song while I’m writing it. I’m not that good at talking about how and what I’m feeling and that’s definitely one of the themes throughout. It’s written with that in mind and kind of built around that.
What are the moments in your life where you feel most yourself?
Being alone is how I recharge my battery, so that’s one thing. But I guess it’s also when I’m surrounded by people that know me and where it’s easy to be myself. Sometimes when I’m writing a song I can feel a very real connection. Those moments can be few and far between but they’re the reason I’m making music.
“I think social media is tricky to navigate. It’s difficult to find your voice outside of that, and to also have to be conscious of a whole online platform and how you’re being perceived there can be overwhelming.”
Was picking up your mum´s guitar one of the key moments that made you realize that you want to be a musician?
Yeah, definitely. I had always liked singing but it wasn’t something I had considered doing professionally. I felt like it was for the musically ‘gifted’, and I didn’t see myself in that category. But I’m glad I started playing anyway cause otherwise I wouldn’t have discovered something that’s now very dear to me.
What music are you listening to when you are in a bad mood?
I’ve been listening to the La La Land soundtrack ever since the movie came out. It makes me really happy. But if I want to stay in a low mood I’ll listen to folk music. Like Elizabeth Cotton or Peter, Paul and Mary. Their songs are so soothing.
“Sometimes when I’m writing a song I can feel a very real connection. Those moments can be few and far between but they’re the reason I’m making music.”
The most difficult thing about being young and growing up in our times?
I think social media is tricky to navigate. It’s difficult to find your voice outside of that, and to also have to be conscious of a whole online platform and how you’re being perceived there can be overwhelming. I’m not good at that stuff cause I feel very private, but at the same time it’s hard to stay away cause it plays such a big part in our lives. Everyone is constantly connected and it can be difficult to log off sometimes. It’s like that episode of Black Mirror with Bryce Dallas Howard. That’s kind of where we’re at.
Where can we find you on a Sunday night?
That’s an easy answer! At home playing video games. Music and video games are my two passions.
“I don’t have a big lifetime dream. Maybe I should get one. I’m just taking things one step at a time.”
Best childhood memories?
We used to spend every summer at my grandmother’s house in Sweden, which has a forest next to it. My sisters and I had a game with our cousins where we ran around with wooden bows and arrows and swords while my dad chased us. It was years ago but I went back with my cousin recently and we bought some proper bow gear. It’s a cool place, I have a lot of good childhood memories from there.
Your lifetime dream?
I don’t have a big lifetime dream. Maybe I should get one. I’m just taking things one step at a time. I think, making an album I’m proud of is the next step.
