How does your humble Maestro celebrate Father’s Day? By sitting and chatting with the beautiful and talented singer Anna KiaRa via Skype, that’s how. She has been writing and composing music since she was a child, been singing for years, and now she is set to unleash her debut solo album Storyteller on the world come August 3. I am very excited for this record; Anna is too, and it shows. Take a look:
Amps: How much time did you spend writing these songs?
Anna: That depends on when inspiration would hit me to write the music, to compose it. It also depends on what kind of time my sound engineer friend had for me (laughs). Composing for me tends to take a couple of hours, and fleshing out all the arrangements can take me anywhere from one to five days. We started almost one year ago, and now we are almost done.
Amps: How are things over in Russia with Covid-19?
Anna: Officially they started to slowly reopen some places in Moscow. Like malls, for example. Shops are opening up, the parks are open. At the end of this month (June) more places will open. But everyone is still wearing masks, especially in our underground train system. There are lots of people there so we need to be safe. Right now it is very hot in Russia and I know some people really struggle with wearing them.
Amps: The mask thing has really gotten old, but we do it to keep everyone safe. How often are you writing?
Anna: For me it works like if I decide I need to write a song, I sit down and do it. I don’t need to go through books or anything I might see. i just do it. I think it’s because of my education as a musician it is easier for me to compose something than it might be for some others.
Amps: As we get nearer to Storyteller‘s release, how are you feeling?
Anna: I‘m really excited! So many people donated to the album campaign, I was shocked! I am so happy that all those people would support me like that. in a time when many have lost their jobs and maybe don’t have a lot of money, I don’t know, my fans are really cool!
Amps: I think a big part of that is the way you interact with the fans. Whenever you’re on Facebook Live or Instagram Live you really engage with them/us.
You always answer questions, and it can truly feel like we’re sitting with a friend. You also have a very nice demeanor, and a very soothing speaking voice.
Anna: Thank you very much. I don’t like it when artists don’t treat their fans right. Like they are better than them. That is not the case. I am a simple person. I come from a little town in Russia, and I always knew that if I ever made it as an artist that I would try to bring something positive to the world.
Amps: What are you listening to lately?
Anna: I listen to a lot of Symphonic Metal. For example, I’ve been listening to KAMELOT since I was 13 years old. Roy Khan really inspired me, especially with his presence on stage. I also listen to a lot of Classical Music because I am classically trained, like Mozart, Rachmaninoff or Bach. And sometimes I’ll put on some shitty pop music just to put me in a good mood. But I definitely listen to more metal than anything.
Amps: What do you like to do away from music?
Anna: I have a telescope. I really like astronomy, the stars, and space. One of the tracks on this album is an instrumental, and I tried to get a feel of, like being in space, I don’t know. To get a space-like atmosphere.
Amps: When the album comes out, what would you hope that the listener gets from it?
Anna: That’s an interesting question. I hope they think about things in life. I have a story behind every song, and sometimes those stories are more philosophy-oriented. I hope that people will think about more than the usual stuff in life. One song is called “Birth and Death,” about the circle of life, and even reincarnation.
I also hope they like the way I compose, and of course I hope they enjoy it! I know that people are waiting for this album, and I don’t want to disappoint the fans.
Amps: How is your vocal regimen? Do you have any do’s and don’ts?
Anna: I’ve been singing since I was a little girl, so I know how to use my voice properly. I sometimes do exercises, but I don’t have to do them a lot. I can sing really early in the morning, or later on in the day.
Amps: How much do you miss the stage right now?
Anna: I really miss the stage. I miss performing for people, and singing our songs. It’s not the same when you just listen to an album, versus when you can be there to hear the band!
Amps: When the CD comes out, will you sign a copy for Mini-Amps?
Anna: Of course! I will be happy to!!
Amps: What would you like to say to all your fans out there in the world?
Anna: I would like to say that if you have any dreams and things you want to do, you need to believe in yourselves and continue to do it. Even if everyone around you says you can’t do it. I would also like to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me, because I didn’t expect to get so much support on this thing. Oh, and keep listening to good Symphonic Metal!!
Anna KiaRa is ready to do some BIG things in the world of Symphonic Metal. Get ready boys and girls, because she’s gonna get in your kitchen and rattle your pots and pans! Her drive, her talent, and her voice will propel her to the next level with a quickness. And I guarantee you when Storyteller comes out, it’s gonna make a ton of noise. She is AMAZING, and the world will be so much better for having her voice in it. That’s a fact.
