Anna Shoemaker talks to us about her debut album, collaborating with Middle Part, and more

Credit: Morgan Maher

Connecting with fans through creative videos and songs that showcase her knack of blending infectious melodies with honest lyrics, Anna Shoemaker knows how to keep an audience engaged. The indie pop singer-songwriter went viral after releasing a mashup of Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe,” Drake’s “Girls Love Beyoncé,” and Chance the Rapper’s “Cocoa Butter Kisses” straight from her bedroom, and has been on the rise ever since. After releasing two EPs and copious amounts of singles that feature the bedroom pop sound she is known for, however, Anna is starting to break out of that world and into a more mature, alt-leaning one. Fresh off the release of her new single “It’s Depression,” Anna took the time to speak with us about the track, her upcoming debut album, collaborating with her good friend Middle Part, and the mashup that started it all.

Melodic Mag: Hey there! Your new single “It’s Depression” with Middle Part was just released, which deals with anxiety and overthinking. What was it like to channel those feelings into the track?
Anna Shoemaker: Writing in general is usually a product of my overthinking and anxiety, so “It’s Depression” came out pretty naturally. It always feels like a release to be able to spiral my thoughts into a song.

“It’s Depression” follows “Sick!”, which came out last month. Are the two tracks related in any way?
Somewhat! In my mind, all the songs I write sort of build off each other— each song is sort of a different scene in a movie. If “Sick!” is me feeling bad for myself, “It’s Depression” sees me being more self-effacing.

Middle Part has been credited on a few of your songs and is often involved in your live shows. How long have you guys been working on music together?
We wrote “It’s Depression” a little less than a year ago, and it was the first song we ever made together. Andrew (Middle Part) and I definitely drive each other insane sometimes, but he doesn’t judge me which, for me, is the most important part of a collaboration.

What can you tell us about your debut album, set to be released next year? Was it a quarantine project, or were you working on these tracks before the pandemic?
The songs on my album were all written over the past two years. I don’t think it’s necessarily a quarantine project, but I definitely think the pandemic shaped parts of my process, and things never really went back to how they were. It’s been interesting for me to sort of piece together these pre-quarantine, quarantine, and post-quarantine moments and feelings into one body of work.

Credit: Morgan Maher

What are you hoping that listeners and fans of your music will get out of the album?
I just want my music to be a safe space where people can relate and feel their feelings fully.

You have so many creative music videos for your songs, which further tell the stories that we hear in the lyrics! Growing up, did music videos play a big part in the way you listened to music?
Yes, definitely! When I was little, I had a babysitter who would always just turn on MTV and we would literally watch music videos all day. I’m a very visual person, so videos have always been a very important component of my music.

You started making waves when your Kendrick Lamar/Chance the Rapper/Drake mashup went viral. What was it like to see the track resonate with so many people?
It was cool! I mean, I’m just such a fan of all those artists, so it was a fun cover to make— but it doesn’t compare to the feeling of making and putting out my own music!

Are there any artists out there that you would love to collaborate with in the future?
I’m a big fan of 27Delly!

You recently played The Sultan Room in New York. What was it like to be connecting with fans in a live setting again?
It was both amazing and terrifying. I felt like an alien up there on stage.

Plans for the rest of the year?
Getting ready for my first album release!!

Thank you so much for your time! Do you have any final thoughts or comments?
I think we pretty much covered it! Thank YOU!