ANNA STRAKER
​* This content was created for FEMMEHOOD magazine, view the full publication here.
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Breaking the mould of the male-dominated electronic music industry, 20-year-old producer, songwriter and singer Anna Straker takes full creative control; refusing to be relegated to the shadows as just another breathy female voice on a catchy hook. Born in West London, before being raised across the continent from Italy to quaint little Lincolnshire, Anna is back in the capital and is making her presence known. Her debut self-produced EP Serious explores vibrant retro synths and dancey chord progressions that echoes through idiosyncratic themes of youthful rebellion (“How We Are”) and industry dissatisfaction (“Serious”).
Taking a stand against a notoriously misogynistic industry is no mean feat, and naturally we wanted to know more…
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What was your dream career when you were a child?
To be a pianist. I learnt classical piano from when I was about 7. Then I discovered Alicia Keys and wanted to sing and play!
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Who has been your fave collaboration so far?
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Fono - Everybody Knows. So cool to hear that in clubs. Was such a fun song to sing.
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Who would be your dream collaboration?
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Daft Punk.
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Are there any quotes/mantras that you live by and/or inspire your work?
“Good music comes to those who relax”, I always tell myself that whenever I get stressed or wound up.
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If you could use 3 words to describe your music what would they be?
Unapologetic, youthful, unorthodox
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What’s the craziest thing that’s happened in your career so far?
Singing backing vocals on three different number 1 albums!
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What type of person do you envisage listening to your music?
Anyone! But especially my generation. I write a lot about being young and all the beautiful clichés of having no responsibility. It’s a cool thing to be able to relate and inspire young people, as we are going to be the future. My song ‘How We Are’ is especially about that.
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Favourite song of yours?
Late Night Swimming.
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What do you do or where do you go if you’re in need of inspiration?
I find it really good to take breaks when in the studio and have a walk around. Look for things you don’t normally notice going on around you: noises, what people are saying, nature, the colour of the sky, where the sun falls.
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What does the term ‘sisterhood’ mean to you?
Girl power! I have three sisters so for me it refers to all the amazing women I have grown up with. But also every girl - we are all sisters and we all should stick together.
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Any personal anecdotes where sisterhood has really helped you out or helped you achieve something?
Being in a nightclub and having some guy persistently chat me up after telling him I wasn’t interested. A group of girls noticed and came up to me pretending I was their friend to get me away!
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Who’s your ultimate favourite empowered woman/women?
The Black Madonna. She really struggled in the beginning of her career as a female DJ/producer. She pushed passed the stereotypes of how she should look, what she should play, and just rose above the sexism that is still rife in the industry. Everyone should watch her Resident Advisor ‘Between the Beats’ film. It’s truly motivating.
Do you think pop culture provides young women with authentic feminist icons? If yes, who?
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Yes. There’s so many powerful female pop stars, not just at the moment, but from all time. Madonna, Tina Turner, Lady Gaga, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Beyonce, Kate Bush, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell... Too many to count!
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Who would you class as ‘the modern suffragettes’?
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Just any girl, or boy, who continues to fight for gender equality. Girls that don’t back down. My advice for young women in the music industry would be to not take control of your art just because it’s ‘a boy’s job’. Just because you’re a girl doesn’t mean you just have to look pretty and sing. Don’t let people put you into a category.
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What advice would you give to young women in the USA who are probably feeling very disillusioned and angry right now, post-election?
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Stay strong. I COULD NOT believe Donald Trump could say such hateful things toward women and be elected. It is beyond me. But as long as we keep educating people and pushing past these bigoted idiots that still believe we are not equal, we can still prosper. It may not seem like it, but we are heading in the right direction. It’s just little things.
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Listen to Anna’s music on Spotify & on her Soundcloud page here
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TEXT AMY ELLIOTT
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Based on interview with Anna Straker
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity
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