Anna Hamilton Interview
Mitch: Your first ever EP, Collarbones, came out on Jan 23. How does it feel to finally have it out in the world?
Anna Hamilton: It feels liberating. I’ve always wanted to put out a cohesive project that felt fully like me. It took a long time to find a sonic universe that I wanted to live in, and this is the first thing that truly felt like mine.
Obviously, I worked with a lot of incredible people on it, but I was able to really sit down for a year, write it, release it, and now just wrap my head around it.
Mitch: Do you mind sharing a bit about the EP and the themes found throughout?
Anna Hamilton: When we first wrote the EP, I actually had a completely different project that was going to come out. It was mixed, mastered, and fully finished. I had written Collarbones three years prior with my friend, Hunter. At the time, it didn’t really mean much—he just had the title, and I thought it looked sick. I don’t know why, but it spoke to me.
He started playing guitar, and we just sat there in silence for probably two hours. Then he turned his chair around, and I said, “I think I have the chorus.” The version we had originally sketched out together, I completely changed it and made it a little deeper.
That was the first time I decided I wanted to write my story, not some embellished version of it. I really wanted this project to feel like a montage. Something people can put on in the kitchen while they dance or make dinner.
Mitch: What do you hope your audience feels while listening?
Anna Hamilton: I hope they feel light. There’s a lot of music out there, including these songs, that has a lot of depth. With this project, I want people to feel peace, beauty, and lightness.
At the end of the day, I wanted it to feel like your first love, but also your first heartbreak.
Mitch: If the EP were turned into a movie, what would the plot be? What would it look and feel like?
Anna Hamilton: It would be the visuals. I worked on them with my friend Tristan, and looking back, we really did create the world of the project.
The only thing I’d add is maybe a gravel road and an old convertible. Maybe a Chevy with a thin leather steering wheel. And maybe a few extra characters. That would be fun.
Mitch: What’s your favourite memory from making this EP?
Anna Hamilton: When we were making Collarbones, it was the feeling of knowing we had created something really special. Hunter and I have worked together for a long time, and I love those songs, but with Collarbones, we looked at each other after that session and just knew that it was the start of my artistry.
Everything before that feels like a completely different part of my artistry. That moment was probably the most exciting part.
After that, every session was either us sitting in total silence, deep in thought, or getting so excited we were jumping up and down on the couch. It was just fun. Making the whole thing was so much fun.
Mitch: I love the nature, farm-style visuals that have been accompanying the songs. Do you approach songwriting with visuals in mind, or do they come together afterwards?
Anna Hamilton: I always go back to the same thing. You’re always going to see me outside, frolicking. My problem is bringing a new tune to that. My manager was like, “You can’t just be in the middle of a field in a white dress again, we’ve gotta mix it up,” haha.
But I just love nature, and I draw a lot of inspiration from it.
When I brought the farm idea to everyone, we found this beautiful farmhouse with a lot of land, fences, and vintage wallpaper. I took one look and thought, “I can work with this.”
We expected it to take all day, but most shots only took one or two takes because I didn’t want to force anything. If it feels forced, it doesn’t look right and I look awkward.
Mitch: Do you have any shows coming up?
Anna Hamilton: I’m going on tour this May/June! I’m opening for an artist called Ike Dweck, with the first show in Denver at Globe Hall.
Mitch: Why should people come? What can people expect from your sets?
Anna Hamilton: It’s just me and my guitar, and I want to evoke emotion. People are laughing and then crying at some point of the show.
Live music is so important and it’s just so different when it’s face-to-face because you can really connect that way. I love being able to talk to the audience during the show, crack some jokes, and then meet people afterwards at the merch table. People share their stories, sometimes they’re crying in my arms and it’s the most special experience.
Mitch: What is the best way for people to support you?
Anna Hamilton: Come to a show! Stream the music! Reach out! I want to meet people, and I want to know that my music is reaching people. I love hearing how my music has impacted people!
Mitch: Who are some emerging AUS/NZ musicians that people should get behind?
Anna Hamilton: I’ve worked with a lot of amazing Australian artists while writing and performing there. I love Carla Wehbe and Pacific Avenue. Charlie Pittman is incredible and a dear friend. Also Charley, she’s a pop queen.
I have to mention Felicity Kircher, oh my gosh, I’m speechless at her talent. Her live show is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. That’s a show you do not want to miss.
The talent coming out of Australia is out of this world!