11 questions with Anna Moranda
In a fresh new series of interviews, 11 questions with, I'm speaking with artists, makers and creative industry professionals about their work, their lives and what drives them. For my very first one, I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented Anna Moranda, who works as a guitarist, singer and writer. Read her 11 answers and enjoy!
What are you working on these days?
Since the pandemic has severely limited my options, I’ve been focusing on songwriting and arranging. Recently, I’ve been working on different vocal arranging techniques, expanding my knowledge, and exploring my voice and creativity in a brand new way. There’s always more to learn, more to discover, but I love the process all the same.
If you could pick one person to work with, dead, alive or fictional who would it be?
Prince. Not only was he a very prolific songwriter and producer, but also a great guitarist, and a very entertaining showman.
If your life was a song, what would the title be?
Broken Hearts Anonymous.
What's your favourite music to listen to?
My favourite music completely depends on the mood I’m in. One day it could be some laid back R’n’B or neo-soul, and another day it could be nu-metal or 80s synth-pop. I do have a preference for guitar music, though, regardless of the genre.
What's been your favourite project you ever worked on?
This summer I’ve recorded an online gig with my band Zouzy for Babaco.live (it’s a new streaming service that offers online concerts by various artists). We were playing without Maja, our keyboard player, and I was the only one with an instrument that could play harmonies. There was a lot of work with arranging songs for acoustic guitar, but it definitely expanded my imagination in terms of song arrangement. When you cannot rely on electronic musical instruments or loops, your options are limited, but creative constraints are actually good in music. What I’ve learned is, if you only have six strings at your disposal, you have all you need to make good music.
What inspires you?
My teachers. Their work ethic, the way they look at life and art. But also the people I know; their stories, their heartbreaks, their journeys.
What's the one object you would bring to a desert island?
A knife. I believe a guitar wouldn’t necessarily help me survive on a desert island.
What's your favourite part of the creative process?
The invention. Coming up with ideas. In fact, I have one notebook for lyrics and a separate one for song arrangement ideas. Now, the matter of executing these ideas may be a challenge. Sometimes I do not have the tools or the knowledge (yet) that is necessary to carry them out. There's always an element of surprise, and I enjoy that part.
I also love the rare moments of inspiration when the lyrics and melody come together, and I don’t have to force it, it just happens naturally. It is extremely rare but when it happens, it feels like soaring.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Stop beating yourself up. Let yourself go, sometimes.
What's your superpower?
I can tell when someone's lying or hiding something. I’ve learned to trust my gut; if something feels off, it probably is.
What's your favourite way to relax?
Working out, actually. It definitely helps with overthinking, and as a creative person, I am an overthinker. After a training session, I’m simply too exhausted for that, and I can completely relax. Also, I wouldn't say no to a glass of good wine and an aesthetically pleasing film.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the first interview in the series. Stay tuned for more interviews with artists, makers and creatives coming soon. Never miss an issue by subscribing to my mailing list, and in the meantime feel free to take a look at my blog and some of my work as an artist.