ANE (A New Era)

Who is ANE

Conducted on May 20,2019

by Dan Locke

After an extended hiatus from music, first generation Korean-American r&b/pop-soul artistANE returns today (5/20/2019) with her new EP, Lonely Lovers Fantasy. The three-track project departs from the darker, more melancholic tones of ANE’s Bitan EP, released just two years ago. 

“The older we get, many of us carry around ghosts from our past but I truly believe the heart can regenerate if we set ourselves free from our trauma. I wanted to express this by creating simplistic, beautiful love songs that represent love from a pure, untainted heart. I titled it ‘Lonely Lovers Fantasy’ because these songs are meant to be relatable and represent the different shades of emotions we all go through as loners, lovers, and lonely lovers.” – ANE

Dan Locke: Your parents were very strict while you were growing up. How did you find time to listen to music?

ANE: I started falling in love with singing as a child growing up in the church. That’s probably the moment when I realized the freedom I felt when I was vocalizing. I also remember reenacting the Spice Girls, Selena, TLC, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Fiona Apple when I would go over my best friend’s house and look through everyone’s CDs and mixtapes.

Were they strict in your growing up that they wanted you to have a strong work ethic?

Hmm…well my parents were definitely the typical strict Asian parents…making me do piano lessons and go to Kumon but I hated all that. I do like to work hard and feel productive but growing up in a strict household made me want to rebel more and do the opposite of what I was told. I think my work ethic really started kicking in more so when I found that I had to fight for the things I wanted in life. Everyone has to pay their dues so I like to work hard n believe I get what I put in.

How do you describe yourself?

I’m multi-faceted. Sort of like a chameleon and can blend in with a lot of different people. Overall though, I’d say that I am sort of a quirky, laid-back person who really enjoys her alone time. I’m pretty chill with everything in life except with things that pertain to my career.

How do you describe your music?

It is constantly evolving. It used to be way more aggressive but right now with what you guys are hearing at the moment, I’d say it’s dreamy, soft, synth soul-pop.

Who was the first artist you listened to on a regular basis?

I honestly do not remember. I’d say…probably Mariah Carey?

What was the first concert you went to?

I should go to more concerts. SMH. I think the first was a concert from that tour with Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z.

Can you tell me your given name?

Lol like what I sign on my legal documents? All of the people who know me know me calls me “Annie” like the musical.

Why did you take the name “ANE”?

Well, I named myself that when I was really really confused about my sound. I was constantly making music and hating it and wanting to start over. So, I named myself A.N.E. because it stood for “A New Era” and when you say the letters over and over really fast, it sounds like “Annie.” Naming myself this was just a way of me wanting to start over and cross the next bridge in my evolution as an artist. Now, I like just “Ane” because it’s more human.

Why did you pick music as your college degree?

Singing was the first thing I decided I wanted to do myself. No one suggested it to me. So, I wanted to live it fully. I also thought at the time I wanted to be an opera singer. That was my dream and that’s what you do when you sing classical music. You go to school for it and study.

How did you learn to play instruments?

I mean I can’t really PLAY. I can only play around with a few chords on the piano to write music and figure out chord changes. My mother made me take lessons when I was a kid. I hated it at the time but would love to take more lessons now.

What college did you go to?

New England Conservatory. Made it only halfway through but I met a lot of cool people and heard soooo much more music. It opened my ears up to a lot of new sounds.

How do you feel about Trump policy on family-based visas?

I think the new proposed plan is really broad and still doesn’t address the DACA program. I don’t know I’m pretty biased on things like this because I know too many people personally who are Dreamers, immigrants who have been separated from their families for decades, and immigrants with no skill set/education who come to the U.S. and work their asses off and make something of themselves…if not for them, for their children. I think the new proposed plan is unfairly biased and favors people with money and status.

Do you listen to music from Korean?

When I was younger, I went through a phase when I was listening to H.O.T., Finkle, Drunken Tiger, etc. I don’t listen to a ton of Korean music now but when I’m at Korean bars and I hear a song I like, I Shazam it. You know me, I usually gravitate towards the RnB music so if I hear good Korean RnB song, I do it.

What is you’re feeling about K-pop?

I think it’s breaking records and it’s a force to be reckoned with. Take, BTS for example, it’s not really the type of music I jam out to but I also acknowledge that they’re breaking records on an international level…probably because they cater to a market that’s void right now. There’re not too many boy bands or a lot of artists right now catering to the teeny boppers and the Korean market is somehow filling that void. It’s pretty dope if you ask me.

If you could co-write with anyone, who would it be?

I can’t pick just one…but off the top of my head, Frank Ocean or Childish Gambino or Kaytranada.

What was the first song you wrote?

I don’t remember the lyrics to my very first song. I only remember the chord changes but the first song I put out and completed under my name is “Typical Day.” Here’s a recap:
https://soundcloud.com/anemusic/typical-day-mp3?in=anemusic/sets/freedomfiendhttps://soundcloud.com/anemusic/typical-day-mp3?in=anemusic/sets/freedomfiend

What has been the song that has given you the biggest challenge so far?

Honestly, a ton. Every song has a unique path. Some are easier while others are more challenging.

You took a break between your to recording projects. What were you doing during that time?

I was in a bad relationship and in denial that I had given up on singing. I got out of that situation but I was still on hiatus because I was working a lot and traveling…just trying to live a “normal” life and enjoy doing it. I enjoyed that last part but I always felt like something was missing so here I am.

You just released your new 3 track EP. What audience are you hoping will like it?

I imagine it caters more to a female audience and people who are listening to the new wave of RnB/pop that’s been out. I hope it’s simple enough that most people can relate.

What is the difference between Bitan and Lonely Lovers Fantasy?

The difference is how much pain I was in when I was writing Bitan. I was suffering from a lot of depression and self-doubt. LLF I was just more comfortable in my skin and I wasn’t in pain. Some of the songs are autobiographical and there wasn’t a lot of pain in the music. It was more frustrations, more lighthearted.

Why did you title your new project Lonely Lovers Fantasy?

I thought it was the perfect way to describe the mood and vibes the songs were giving off. There is a sense of angst in them but its masked in layers of fantasy and soft vocals.

On your Instagram account, you have direct marketing tools on it. It that helping you find new followers?

I am more aware of the marketing aspect now more than ever. So, I do pay attention to my insights and see who is gravitating towards my posts, which posts perform better than others and what time of day/week I get the most response. A lot of marketing these days and less artistry…ahh…hoping I can grow my brand to the point where I can focus less on all that and just have more time to create.

How do you see yourself in 5 years?

Ideally, I’d like to just be doing what I love and feel stable, be around the people I love, and just continue to grow stronger spiritually.

Anything in closing you would like to say?

Thank you to everyone who’s been supporting me on this journey. It means the world to me. Let’s keep fighting and continue to make progress and support each other.

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