Artist Interviews
Interview with Alternative Indie Artist Anna Justen on her new music & more
MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
Anna Justen: When I was little, I remember getting random melodies and lyrics stuck in my head. I’d never heard them before, so, naturally, I would try to find ways to capture them, creating little notation systems in my journals.
I taught myself piano and guitar at age 12, inspired by some of my friends who were learning instruments and writing their own songs. These people made me realize that it’s actually possible for anyone to write a good song. You don’t need to be famous already, you don’t need a million dollars. You can just do it.
But even though it’s always been a part of my life, it took me until age 20 to release my first song. I just had a sudden moment of clarity—I realized that I would regret how I spent my life if I didn’t give music everything I had. And as soon as I started, there was nothing else I could imagine doing with my life.
Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
Anna Justen: Apart from being a huge Belieber and Directioner, the first bands that come to mind are The Shins, The Decemberists, and Death Cab for Cutie. My parents would play them a lot growing up, and they always gave me this distinct, unnameable feeling, like being uncomfortable in a strange, compelling sort of way. I often seek to reproduce that feeling in my own music.
More recently I’ve been really influenced by artists like Saya Gray, James Blake, Bon Iver—artists that mess with the sound of their music and mess with the way that things are typically produced. On that note, Rosalía has been a huge influence for me. I love the way she blends genres and defies expectations.
I’ve also always been a huge fan of Stromae, and both Stromae and Rosalia have built incredible worlds around their music. It’s bigger than just the songs—there is a story being told within each project, a universe to inhabit. That is one of the most compelling parts of this art form to me.
What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
Anna Justen: Really, my ultimate goal is to create a world around my music. Of course I would love to collaborate with my favorite artists and producers, and I’d love to go on a world tour some day as well, but for now I just strive to keep learning and creating freely.
Apart from that, I just know that I was put on earth to make something beautiful out of what was or is extremely painful for me and those I love. That just feels like what I’m meant to do.
The current project that I’m working on is about my childhood and family dynamics. It’s about addiction, pain, and hardship, and also about the love that is there despite it all. It is about finding peace and forgiveness within the pain. Also, about owning my voice, speaking up for myself. Ultimately, this is a selfish project. But I do hope that it can meet people where they are at, and allow them to find some peace in their own way. I know this is a topic so many people relate to.
What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Anna Justen: I’ve been to a lot of incredible shows, but as of today my favorite is 100% Stromae’s Racine Carrée tour at the Showbox SoDo in Seattle in 2015. As far as shows I’ve performed, I feel like it keeps getting better and better. The more I perform, the more fun I’m able to have on stage. But if I had to pick one, it would be this winter show I played at The Thirsty Boot in Knowlton, Quebec. There were 5 people in the room, and I just got to eat a great meal and drink good cider. It was pretty magical.
Your latest release is the single ‘Individualism’, which we love! What inspired this track, and what does it mean to you?
Anna Justen: Thank you very much! To me, this track is an expression of frustration with the current individualistic state of the world. In my life, when I wrote the song, it felt like creative achievements were somehow less valuable if I asked for help—I needed to do everything on my own. In making this album, and this track in particular, I challenged this feeling by collaborating with many amazing musicians—like Milan André Boronell, Ben Root, and Caspian Coberly. It really opened my eyes to the importance and joy in collaboration.
But the meaning of “individualism” goes beyond myself. I feel like this is a mindset that has been deeply perpetuated by social media—which, ironically, has made everyone more self-interested, isolated and lonely. This track is also about the current political state of the US, and more particularly about gun violence. It’s about how this individualistic and self-obsessed state we are living in is perpetuating the mental health problems that are so deeply intertwined with these violent attacks.
Sonically I was inspired by the grunge music that I grew up around in Seattle. I wanted something that felt intense and disturbing, something that could express the heaviness that I feel inside of me. Something to express my anger at America, too, I guess.
You have a really unique sound and we love it, but it’s hard to describe in words, so we will let you! How would you describe your music?
Anna Justen: To put it into sonic terms, I’d say that it’s a blend of indie pop and folk songwriting, mixed with an underlying current of grungy, glitchy, experimental production. But of course, this is such a difficult question for any artist to answer. It’s so hard to describe yourself within the confines of genre and language.
My music is whatever I want to do, whatever makes me feel excited. I’m still discovering how all of my favorite sounds and influences fit together over the songs I write. I’m still figuring out how I fit together, too, still discovering all of the puzzle pieces that make me who I am. I think my sound reflects that. It’s a constant discovery.
You’re finding a lot of success as an independent artist. In an ever changing music industry, what would you say are the best tips to succeed as a musician today?
Anna Justen: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! It’s so important to learn how to rally people behind you. You can’t succeed as an island! And learn how to delegate once you do have a team of people around you. On that same note, meet as many people as you can. Get involved in your local scene!
Also think about your art outside of just the music. Really spend some time getting to know yourself and what you like, outside of the sonic realm. Learn about yourself, build your world.
What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
Anna Justen: I’m currently finishing up my debut album, which will be released May 8th, 2025. Peppermint and Individualism were the first two singles of the project, and the third single, Orange, will come out on my mom’s birthday, December 27th.
Sonically, you can expect the unexpected. Just know that I am hopping all over the place on this record—I’m making the album that I want to listen to, that engages me song to song, that keeps my attention throughout the whole journey.
Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Anna Justen: Thanks for listening and coming along for this ride 🙂 Time to sleep, time to dream! ;))))
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