We’re looking forward to introducing you to Anna Victoria. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Anna, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I’m a stay-at-home mom to two toddlers, so my days are full of snack times and toys, with equal parts laughing and crying. I’m in a constant loop of things to do, but I try to intentionally stop and simply enjoy my babies at this chaotic and joyful stage.
At night, I put on my stage outfit and I grab my guitar. I’ve been playing small local gigs all summer, sometimes two in the same day! I get to play for such amazing local audiences.
After all of that, I often come home to my husband who made me food and we talk about all of it! He’s so kind and supportive, and I truly couldn’t be living out my two greatest dreams at once if it weren’t for him.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Anna. I’m a singer-songwriter, wife, and mama of two, born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. I call myself a Hillbilly Honky Tonk Dream Girl- a phrase I coined to sum up my sound. Raised on old hymns in church and bluegrass in Downtown Asheville, my music is grounded in the tradition of the mountains. Over the past five years, I’ve made a living playing dive bars and breweries , covering legends like Dolly, Merle, and Johnny. At the same time, my songwriting is influenced by the storytelling of Taylor Swift and the dreamy sound of Kacey Musgraves. My music is where tradition meets twang, with a little bit of stardust.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My chamber choir teacher from high school, Mrs. Graeme, taught me so much about hard work when it comes to music. We would practice the same measure a million times. But when it came time to preform, we were poised and prepared, thanks to her leadership!
The kind of music I make now, is very different from singing in the alto section of a choir, but the work is very similar. I practice now just like we did then! I even use the same warm ups we used to do.
I’m endlessly grateful for all that Mrs. Graeme taught me.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I started writing songs, I found a way to express my pain like I never had before. That is an incredible gift God has given me, and as long as I live I’ll continue to use it and give Him glory.
Songwriting really feels like a superpower when I get to play a song for someone and it moves something in them! When I finish playing and they tell me it reminded them of something in their personal lives, we get to connect in ways that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Those stories I’ve gotten to hear are so dear to me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Something that scares me to my core as a writer, is AI. You can easily ask Chat GPT to create a song and you could turn around and call it your own, using any voice you want. That’s upsetting for both creators AND listeners.
It’s getting harder and harder to differentiate AI from real content. As a creative, it’s terrifying to think I could make something from scratch with my guitar, memories, and experiences and someone could accuse me of using AI.
This new technology definitely has a lot of benefits, and I’m not against using it to our advantage but I’m wholeheartedly against using it to make art and music. There should be parameters and rules around this stuff, and I’m afraid we’re in the Wild West right now.
Lastly this is something I want my listeners to know I’ll never do. My music, my words, and my artwork will always be authentically made by me. I will never fall for the lazy idea that anything artificial can create the same magic that the human mind can create. I will most definitely make errors and need to work harder and longer, but I will never take shortcuts when it comes to making music.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
Rocking my babies and singing to them is the most peace I’ve ever had in this world. I love watching their little eyes start to close and they softly start to snore. Both of mine rarely will let me hold them like that anymore, but I cherish even moments I get to hold them close and sing to them.
I like to sing worship songs and pray over them while I sing. Knowing they are safe and warm and protected by God gives me more peace than anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/annavictoria3/forget-me-not/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annavictoriamusic?igsh=d2Y4djNveWNueGd2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AFRfeNJb9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmvteOKyNL94aWHHM9oqS6g?si=wbcQAhM9_AR4ure0
- Other: Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/09QVM1m23pDFo4GY7WQkvH?si=xijbvH5URpGEvLGE8u20YQ
Image Credits
Tori Long
