Model, actress, and singer Anna Pena who has done cover versions of such artists as Taylor Swift, Jason DeRulo, and Sam Smith, has gained thousands of views and subscribers upon YouTube! She continues to cover new songs and has decide to write and record her own material in the form of an EP! The Dallas, Texas native has been performing since she was ten and is a trained musician, actress, and performance artist, that has taken the time, while in the studio finishing things up for the EP, to talk all about it, as well as her YouTube fame and stardom!
1. So what can you tell me about this new EP?
Anna: I can tell you that the songs on my EP are very personal to me. They kind of tell a story of what I have been going through the past couple of years. I wrote about break ups, being deceived, alcoholism in my family, and about my own conflicted mind and indecisiveness in this time of my life.
2. What title did you decide to go with it and is there a meaning behind it?
Anna: For the title of my EP, I really wanted to incorporate my passion for film and theater, since acting is another huge part of who I am. I also wanted to name to mark the “beginning” of this journey of releasing my own music, so I plan to name it something on the lines of “Take One” or “Scene One.”
3. Is this EP going to be a concept release?
Anna: No, I wouldn’t say it’s a concept EP, but I can say that there are two songs that are more connected. Overall, my songs are standalone songs- telling their own story.
4. Where are you in the recording process of the new EP?
Anna: Well I am actually still in the pre-production process, (my producer is super busy!)
But since I have been planning this and putting my heart and soul into my songs, I feel like I’ve been working on it for some time. BUT- things are about to get moving very quickly within this next week so I’m super excited!
5. Who is producing the EP? How has the producer aided the recording process?
Anna: Scott Byrne is producing my EP. Scott is great because he understands exactly what I want when I am describing what I envision for a song. He also works very hard to achieve exactly what I am asking for.
6. Where are you recording the EP?
Anna: I am recording my EP at Septien Entertainment Group, which is where many famous pop and rock acts have been launched, such as Jessica Simpson, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and many others.
7. Did you have any definitive goals you were shooting for before the recording process began for this EP?
Anna: I wanted each song to sound different since there are so many different styles I love. With each track I wanted to surprise people.
8. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Anna: Actually yes, for example, in one of my songs I can really hear us using some string instruments such as a violin, so I’m excited to see what we can do with that. I also have a song I would like to use some ukulele in, which I have also never used before.
9. When did you start writing for this EP? How was the songwriting process different/similar to previous releases?
Anna: Well actually it happened kind of backwards. I’ve always written my own songs growing up, but I have never released any of my originals until now. I started working with a song-writing teacher, Carlo Decanini (Bass player for the band Werewolf Therewolf), who really encouraged me to get together my best songs and pursue my goal of releasing an EP. One of the songs on my EP I wrote when I was probably 15. That being said, there are also songs on that I did specifically write for the EP. Some of those began back in October of 2014, and some I started writing just a month ago. I just kept writing about what was happening in my life and when a good song came out of it then I decided it would go on the EP.
10. Did you feel any pressure whatsoever to get this out for everyone to hear?
Anna: Absolutely, but the pressure is more from myself. I couldn’t be more ready for everyone to hear it, and if I could release it today then I would. The main thing for me is that it will finally answer everyone’s question of what I really “sound like” and will give people a better idea of who I am as an artist.
11. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new EP? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?
Anna: I’d love to! One of the most personal songs to me on the E.P is called “Burn Out” and I wrote it about an individual in my family who is dealing with alcoholism. This person is very close to me, and so as anyone can imagine, the situation has put my family and me through a lot of heartache. In the lyrics of this song I completely pour my heart out to this person as to how their actions makes me feel. I also use the imagery of a “wild fire” to represent the chaos and how this fire can eventually die if this person stops fueling the flames- hence the name “burn out.”12. How was/is the vibe in the studio?
Anna: I’ve done some demo work in the studio with my songs, and I can say the vibe in the studio is really comfortable and private. I feel like I can be myself, let go, and let the songs come to life while recording. I feel comfortable enough to try new things, which in my opinion is always a good thing.
13. When can we expect the new EP to be released?
Anna: My hopes are for the beginning or middle of July!
14. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Anna: I’m actually planning on forming a band after the EP is finished, so I’m very excited about that! I’ll also hopefully be working on more acting/modeling projects, and of course continuing making videos for my YouTube channel.
15. Is that your final answer?
Anna: There’s a small chance I might audition for another singing competition T.V show (I’ve done America’s Got Talent in the past) but we shall see!
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