Introduction and Interview By Kennedy Cook

Nuance Magazine spoke with San Fransico-born and Los Angeles-bred very own Anna Dellaria this past week. With her newest single “Ice Cream” out now on all major platforms, Dellaria spoke on what gets her inspired and the major turning points on her musical journey. Full interview below.

Who are some of your music inspirations? 

Some of my legacy inspirations include icons like Stevie Wonder, to Aretha Franklin and lyricists like Jeff Buckley and Carole King.  Daily inspirations can range from Jazmine Sullivan (although she's also a staple!) and of course Beyonce.   

 How do you become most inspired these days? Walk me through that process.

A lot of things different things inspire me.  Sometimes it's just sitting down at a piano and a melody flows out.  Other days I'll be sitting outside or out for a walk and notice something about the environment around me that initiates a lyric idea or concept that I'll generally write down in my notes for later. 

What would you say was the biggest turning point on your musical journey?

I'd say the biggest turning point so far has been learning to listen more and more to my intuition and then follow it.  It's easy to let the thoughts or opinions of those around you to slowly infiltrate into the creating process, and so reminding myself to find what feels most sincere has been really eye-opening and definitely still a process. 

 If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?

The ultimate icon is Beyonce.  However, I almost feel like I'd just want to watch her creation process more than anything.  Otherwise, I'd say either James Blake or Max Martin for collaboration - the combination of production and songwriting together would be amazing. 

 Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I really would love to be on stage somewhere halfway across the world haha.  Especially right now and when it's safe again I think many of us will never take the opportunity to perform live for granted again.  

What do you do in your free time? 

Nothing too crazy! Mostly because the majority of my time is spent in a crazier wonderland of making music all day, so when I do have free time it's filled with basic things I love like going outside for a walk or hike, dancing to some classic Motown, or trying my best to finish a book I've probably been reading for 3 months haha. 

 What was your inspiration behind ”Ice Cream”?

Just a really fun and playful song!  The producer Dillon started with this really interesting melody similar to that of an ice cream truck and we immediately just started playing off of that idea.  Ultimately I think it's a great ironic example of this bouncy, frivolous song that is actually disguising a darker lyric implying that the relationship is toxic, but that neither person wants to confront that yet so instead they just kinda play make-believe in this hot and cold cycle!  

What, if anything,  sets “Ice Cream” apart from your earlier work?

I don't think I've done anything quite like it in terms of the quirkiness.  It was such a stream of consciousness embellished with these synths and funky little sounds throughout that it was much easier to keep it light-hearted than some of my other songs where there's a bit more seriousness in the lyric and intention.