Anabel Englund - 10 Questions + Messing With Magic (Album)
Hot Creations mainstay Anabel Englund has unveiled her debut album Messing With Magic, out via MK’s label AREA10.
The ten-track LP, Messing With Magic is a stunning collection of vibrant, emotion-tinged vocal house tracks. It also features a string of collaborations with some of the most adored artists in dance music. Things kick off with MK and Nightlapse’s remix of ‘So Hot’, a killer club rework that has racked up 9 million Spotify streams and counting, with house icon MK reappearing later in the record on ‘Underwater’, a slick, synth-driven cut that sees Englund’s delicate vocals take centre stage. Hot Natured tastemakers Lee Foss and Jamie Jones both also make an appearance, lending their midas touch to the infectious bassline of ‘Warm Disco’ and silky house vibes of ‘Messing With Magic’ respectively.
Anabel sound down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Hello guys!
Growing up I was surrounded by people playing music. My dad specifically & he was never someone who could play the guitar & kind of sing. He always sounded amazing, & wrote so many beautiful songs about my mom, my brother & me, all kinds of things. Im sure growing up with that allowed me to feel like it would come natural too. He tried teaching me guitar but it always hurt my fingers too much but I still learned from him teaching my brother. I know some chords & now I’ve learned how to play songs through youtube. I took piano lessons after high school & my grandma Cloris (Leachman) would tell me, “If anyone asks you to sing you sing. It doesn’t matter where you are just do it.” So I did & thats how people found me. ABC Family now known as Freeform found me & I sang on & wrote some songs for them & at the same time I was falling madly in love with house music. I sought out Lee Foss & Jamie Jones & within a week of meeting Lee I was in the studio with him & MK recording our first song, Electricity.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
H.E.R., Madonna, Miley, TCHAMI, Black Coffe, SG Lewis.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing music during the coronavirus pandemic?
The only problem I’ve faced really is the inability to play real life shows. But it’s hard to know 100% because in 2020 I released a song about every month & a debut album which I have never done in my life. Before it was maybe a couple songs a year while touring all the time. I’ve even mastered zoom song-writing sessions which honestly aren’t that bad. In fact I kind of love them.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Sexy, authentic, personal, house-electro-indie-pop! lol.
5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Having two US Dance Radio #1’s & also getting my first billboard #1 for Picture Us with no collaborators. It’s been AMAZINGGGGGG.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
I would just say be true to you. I at least don’t vibe with inauthenticity. Figure out who you are & learn how to radiate that through every part of what you do: your music, songwriting/producing, style, speech. Don’t be afraid to consider that you are enough as you are without trying to appear the way everyone else is.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
My brother, Jackson Englund
Mary Droppinz
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I’ve been revisiting Ariana Grande’s Sweetener album a lot recently & Arlo Parks, Cut Copy’s new Muzique.
9. What do you like to do when your not making music?
I love to spend time with my doggies, take them to a big open grassy park where we can just hang & I can read. My boyfriend & I like to take road trips & go hiking in the rain. I love spending time with my family. Eating tasty food. Tings like that.
10. Name Three things you can’t live without when in the studio?
My journal with all my songs in it & a good pen. Good creative talented people. Snacks, all kinds & a lot of them.