Dublin singer-songwriter Annemarie Cullen has released her new song, Circus. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Formerly a member of indie band Saucy Monky, in the '90s she headed for LA, where she waited tables hoping to catch a break. Her luck changed one night when she was serving a Disney Channel producer and she gave him her demo tape - five days later she was hired to compose music for the Disney channel original series So Weird.
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She went on to have her music featured on shows like Zoey 101, Victorious - which starred Ariana Grande - and also in cop drama Blue Bloods.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I grew up in Dublin but went to Los Angeles at the age of 24 to pursue music and adventure. I was fortunate to garner over sixty TV and Film placements as a songwriter. I'm a terrible swimmer and I can’t tread water. If I swim and stop, I sink. Oops.
How would you describe your music?
My friend Steve told me that I’m the "queen of devastation". It makes me sound very dark (I swear I’m not), but I suppose my music has a melancholy feel and it’s often inspired by the trickier things in life.
Who are your musical inspirations?
When I was growing up, it was Prince. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Bruce Springsteen and how he has had such a long and varied career. One of my favourite artist’s is Aimee Mann. Her song writing is so authentic.
If I could have anyone’s career, Bruce Springsteen and (oddly) Sara Bareilles would be at the top of my list. They have both written Broadway musicals, TV or film projects and they still release solo records.
What are you most looking forward to post-lockdown?
Travelling to see my friends! I lived in LA for a long time, and then I spent four years in Barcelona. I am lucky to have lots of friends in both places who I miss.
What’s your favourite song right now?
How I Miss You by Mick Flannery. I also love CMAT’s I Don’t Really Care For You. There is so much good music coming out of Ireland now. It’s very inspiring.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Oof. I’ve been stressing about this question for days. There are so many. Ok, at the top of my head it’s: "I smoke, and I drink and every time I think I have a tiny dream. But as bad as I am, I’m proud of the fact, that I’m worse than I seem" Ani Di Franco - Grey. (PS: Paul Noonan from Bell X1 writes some of my favourite lyrics).
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is (again) a very tricky question that has stumped me for days. Let’s roll with Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. It’s mellow and emotive, but not TOO mellow. I think it would take me a long time to get sick of it.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Everywhere! Come find me! I’m on Spotify, Apple, iTunes, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook. Pop over to my website and I will show you the way. Oh, I lied. I’m not on TikTok . . . at least not yet. Gotta work on my dance moves!
