After cementing herself with her stunning debut EP 'Tell Me A Story' last year, emerging singer-songwriter Anna Vitale recently returned once again to offer up her spellbinding new single 'Hold On'.
Capturing more of that warm and euphoric alt-pop aesthetic she has been building for herself over the years, 'Hold On' makes for an incredibly rich and tender listen. With her soaring vocal performance layered across a dynamic piano-led direction throughout, she is certainly looking to pull on our heartstrings with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has been inspiring her lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was piano. My dad and older siblings played piano and I remember feeling so jealous of their talents and the way they could play pretty much any song in the world on it. So I started to take piano lessons of my own when I was about 7 and I have never stopped. Piano is by far my favourite instrument and it has gone through so much with me.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I really liked a lot of old 80’s music and artists when I was younger. That was the only music my dad and siblings listened to and I looked up to them so much, so whatever they liked, of course I liked too. I absolutely loved and still love Billy Joel and Queen, and I remember loving the song Benny and the Jets and The Carpenters.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I didn’t really listen to too much music when I was younger, so the first album I owned was pretty recent. I believe it was Carole King, Tapestry. My dad and I went into a vintage vinyl store and he was like, “hey, you wanna listen to some good music, listen to this,” and he bought me the album. I’ve been in love with it ever since.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
The one song I wish I could have written myself would probably be Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel. That song is just so authentic and inspiring and the melody is incredible. It expresses so much and I think has taught so much to the world. The lyrics are perfect, the structure is perfect, everything is just perfectly done in that song. I love it. So yeah, if I could have written any song in the world, it would be that one.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I don’t really have a defined habit or structure to how I write music, but I usually will just sit down on the piano and play random chords until a melody pops into my head. Then I’ll try and finish writing the melody for the rest of the song with those chords and a variation of different chords. Once I’m done with the melody, I’ll move on to the lyrics, but I do have to say, writing the lyrics is the most difficult part for me. They just never come easily. After the lyrics I’m pretty much done with the song, I just have to determine the structure and make sure everything fits in smoothly.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
My favourite artists at the moment are Laufey, Simon & Garfunkel and Jack Johnson. These artists are all over my playlist and I listen to them 24/7, especially Laufey. Her music is so enchanting to me and I love the mixture of classical jazz and pop sound she has created. Simon & Garfunkel are some of the greatest songwriters of all time and I love all of their songs. Some of my favourites of theirs are Cecilia, The Boxer, and Bridge over Troubled Water ofcourse. Jack Johnson has such a smooth and relaxing sound that I’m obsessed with. His songs Upside Down and Better Together are some of my favourite songs right now.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I could open a show for anyone in the world, it would have to be Billy Joel. I’ve been in love with Billy Joel’s music ever since I was really little. His music is the first music that I was ever exposed to and it really just stuck with me. Let alone the fact that Billy Joel is one of the most talented songwriters ever. All of his songs are hits and I want to be able to leave the same legacy he did.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part about being a musician for me is the ability to express my emotions through my music. Playing music really helps me open up and find a deeper connection with myself. It helps me express myself better than I ever would with just speaking. Being able to say that my music is my own and is a part of me is so special. No one can ever take that from me and that is what I love most about being a songwriter. I can tell any story I want and make it my own. I can be heard farther than I ever thought I could. Being a musician gives me promise. It gives me expression, and most of all, it gives me confidence.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part about being a musician is definitely the waiting. You have to be so patient and just wait for some results. I always find myself wanting to see progress overnight, but that’s not reality. In reality, it takes a lot of patience and humility. It takes time. You just have to keep doing what you’re doing to the best of your ability and eventually something will happen.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best piece of advice I have received as a musician is to keep moving forward. You can never give up, you can never feel defeated. The only way you can succeed is if you keep picking yourself back up and trying harder than ever before. My dad constantly reminds me that I have something that the world needs to hear. He encourages me that if I keep doing what I'm doing, one day something will happen. I think that as a musician it can be really easy to give up, to feel discouraged and feel like nothings ever going to happen, but if you only have faith in yourself, you will be seen and you will be heard.
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Anna Vitale's new single 'Hold On' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.