German-born, Belfast-based singer A.N.J.A. has released her new single, Midnight Raid. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Whenever I visit a new city I try and go to its oldest cemetery, I'm just a hopeless romantic. I consider myself a top-class Ripperologist. I was born and raised in Germany, but I am Irish at heart and speak fluent "West Belfast".
How would you describe your music?
90s inspired horror garage glam punk with a dystopian '23 twist! Think of it as the Cramps’ horror surf riffs meeting heavy guitars and industrial drums. I like a mean overdrive mixed with a bit of bit of mysticism and a punk attitude but make it melodic. It’s like Halloween all year around - just with a modern twist and not as heavily gothic as you might think!
Who are your musical inspirations?
I take a lot of inspiration from the music of the 90s, especially from artists like PJ Harvey, Queens Of The Stone Age, Nirvana, and Nine Inch Nails, but there’s no denying the big influences of the acid-era rock, garage, psychedelic rock, and post-punk in my music, amongst others Janis Joplin, Roky Erickson and The Velvet Underground.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
These shanty-rock singers from Germany called Santiano. I’ve always had a thing for folk-rock, Irish folk and pirates, and these guys combined it perfectly. That was my first proper gig.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Stadium Arcadium by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I must have been around 13 years old when I bought it and they were the first rock band I fell for, hard.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the album Smell The Magic by L7 lately. Fast and Frightening has got to be my favourite track on there - it gets me pumped every time I’m on my way to band rehearsal. It has everything I want in a song: a driving beat, killer vocals and badass women on evil guitars and fast vehicles!
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The baby ghost in the 1900s says beat it with your chain/The baby ghost says don't drag your spoon, don't drag your chain away/Dr. O'Chane" It’s from Roky Erickson’s song Bloody Hammer. I mean, how mad is that? It’s hilarious, just brilliant! Roky’s lyrical inspirations from horror cinema and dealing with his own mental health are inspiring and fascinating and his voice was absolutely unique.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Roam by The B-52s. It’s the perfect song. Listening to this could never not make me happier, no matter the situation. I could never get sick of it.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My music is on all online platforms under my artist name A.N.J.A. and I have some merch available on Bandcamp. You can check out my website and follow me on Instagram @anjamusic/Facebook @anjamusicuk!
