Nashville-Based Singer ANNA MAE Discusses Her Latest Single ‘Call Girl’ and What’s Next Up!

Photo Credit- Evan Boutte

The Nashville-based pop singer-songwriter Anna Mae recently unleashed her debut single, “Call Girl” via Next2Shine. The bouncy summer song finds Anna Mae snapping back at a potential suitor who won’t commit unless he’s hiding behind his phone screen, singing “you keeping calling me, calling me, but I’m not your call girl.”

“Too many people hide behind their phones and social media instead of actually going after what they want,” Anna Mae shared of the unapologetic track’s inspiration. “I hope this song is a reminder to listeners that they’re worth someone’s attention.”

The retro-inspired songstress just signed to Prescription Songs as the first artist signed out of their Nashville office. Infusing catchy pop melodies with her love of history and travel, Anna Mae has already had resounding success in the synch world, landing 12 major network placements in less than a year. “Call Girl” marks her first dive into her artist career, with a debut EP coming soon!

Learn more about Anna Mae in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! How has 2017 been treating you? Musically, did you approach this year any differently then you did last year? 

Thanks for having me! 2017 has been a super exciting year so far. I signed to an incredible publisher (Prescription Songs) and just released my first pop single. I’ve been given much more opportunities within music this year. I’m creating more now than ever in my life and also being pushed to look at the big picture. It’s an exciting time!

Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood?

I’m currently sitting in my backyard in Nashville on a blanket and attempting to not be eaten alive by mosquitos! I had a co-write right before this and have been working all day so I’m full on in the productive mindset. And yes! I have a playlist of mine on shuffle and Khalid’s song “8TEEN” is playing through my speaker at this moment. Classic Katy Perry and especially “Don’t Kill My Vibe” by Sigrid are always foolproof to pull me out of a bad mood right away.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

For as long as I can remember, the answer is yes. I’ve always loved writing songs and singing. Not something I like to brag about but one of the first songs I remember writing was called “2 + 2 = 4, not 5” which I probably wrote when I was 5. I’d like to think I’ve come a ways since then! But yeah, that’s probably one of my earliest musical memories.

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

I’m not totally positive but possibly something in fashion. In elementary school I kept a huge binder full of clothing designs I had drawn and even had a logo of a balloon drawn on each one. I was super into it.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown has affected who you are as a musician and the art that you create?  Do you find it’s hard to stand out in Nashville with all the amazing artists living there and moving there all the time?

I’m originally from Red Wing, Minnesota. It’s a pretty small town and I grew up on a farm which really influenced me as a person and my art. Every waking moment of summers were spent outside listening to my dad and older siblings’ favorite music play through the outdoor speakers; Dashboard Confessional, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol, The Beatles. I grew up on those bands which got me playing guitar and writing in middle school.

As far as Nashville goes, it can definitely be hard to stand out but I wouldn’t trade it. I learn so much from being surrounded by such great talent and I love how it makes me grow. Plus the community is insanely supportive which is really special.

Let’s talk about your recently released single, “Call Girl.” Where did the inspiration for this track come from? Was it from a personal experience? With all the social media and cell phones around these days, these kinds of guys are everywhere now, huh?

Ha! Yeah, I keep hearing that a lot of people can relate to the song. The title randomly popped into my head while I was on a road trip and it made me think about how so many people hit each other up over social media as if they want to be more than internet buddies, but then they won’t actually make a move on anything. I had my first co-write with Kipp Williams shortly after I had the idea and so we wrote the song that very first day we met.

How do you think “Call Girl” prepares listeners for the rest of your forthcoming EP? How do you think the other songs on it compare to it? Speaking of your EP, what has it been like making it? Has anything surprised you about the process? Any unexpected challenges in the studio?

“Call Girl” preps listeners for the EP because it introduces them to the pop side of these songs, which is a switch for me. I’m still in the process of creating the EP but I know it’ll be a mix of the catchy pop and other more raw lyric-driven songs. I’m getting to do tons of brainstorming about who I am as an artist and I’m working with such killer people in the process. I’m constantly blown away by how many cool songs are written with the talent of these other writers/producers. It honestly makes it difficult just to choose which songs are best! There’s so many I wish everyone could hear.

Why do you think Prescription Songs is the right place for you and your music today? What did it feel like being the first artist to sign with them out of their Nashville office? 

I completely adore the team at Prescription so that’s a huge reason that I know they are the right place for me. It’s also really special to have such an amazing pop publisher in Nashville now. It feels a little surreal to be signed with them and to be the first artist they signed out of their new office here. They are totally on the forefront of the pop world in this city so I’m honestly really honored to be with them.

I’d love to more about what it was like securing 12 major network placements in less than a year!? How was this done exactly? Which one or ones are you most proud of now?

I’ve worked with a licensing agent in town, Resin8, and they kill it in the synch world. I’m still really proud of my first placement. It was my first cowrite ever done with a producer and the song got placed in a promo for the TV show “The Voice” as one of their Olympic commercials. I’m also proud of a song I wrote with Zayde Wolf called “Savages.” That song alone has scored a handful of placements, one being the main promo for the newest Shondaland series that begins this fall called “For The People.” 

With the summer being just about over, what was your favorite part about it? What was something fun that you did/tried? Did you get to play out live much at all?

This summer has been special because I’ve more fully stepped into the life of an artist/writer. My days have been filled with writing songs with incredible people and going to meetings I’ve dreamt of having my whole life. A random fun thing I did was get my 9th tattoo! I think it’s my favorite one so far. And I didn’t play out too much but I did have my first full band show at the start of the summer which made me super excited to start doing a lot more of that asap.

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? Do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these hard times?

One of the most beautiful things about being a musician is that you get to create out of emotion. I definitely do think that new music being created is going to reflect what’s going on in the world. I’ve already noticed it in songs and even in co-writes because I think we can’t help but write about it.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Lissie is a super cool artist that I’ve always been inspired by. She has my favorite voice and when it comes to her music, she does what she wants and doesn’t worry about the rules. I love that. Also super inspired by Betty Who, Sigrid, Harry Styles, and Kacey Musgraves to name a few of my favorites. It would be a dream to work with any of those people listed, but especially Harry Styles because I absolutely love his new album. (And also just because he’s Harry Styles.)

What do you hope is the message of your music and what do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

Confidence! I truly hope that my music makes people feel more confident in themselves.

What advice would you give to someone just getting started on this music path? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

Just start and don’t worry about knowing what the perfect path to success is. I don’t think there is a perfect path, but I do know that taking advantage of whatever opportunities you are given gets you one step closer to the goal. And focus on what makes you and your art unique because you have something that only you can offer.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I’m just excited to be releasing more music for y’all to hear! Definitely hit me up on social media when you hear the new songs and let me know what you think <3