Every week, Entertainment South Wales regular feature – My Music DNA shines a light on musicians, singers and people connected with the music industry and discovers the songs that have inspired them on their musical journey.
This mid-week edition of My Music DNA features Alt-pop artist Anna Straker who earned a big break in her teens when producer Mike Spencer discovered her and invited her to contribute to projects including Rudimental, resulting in the release of her debut EP Serious.
Anna’s new single Good Days, Bad Days is the follow-up to her recent success London Knows and both tracks will feature on a new EP Growing Pains to be released in November.
Good Days, Bad Days also features Gabrielle Aplin and the song is accompanied by a video reflecting the songs meaning, including raw footage that both Anna and Gabrielle have filmed over the past two years. It reflects real life, revealing true moments of happiness and sadness experienced by both artists.
Anna explains, “I wrote Good Days Bad Days during the recovery from my sexual assault. It is a kind of positive affirmation to help centre and ground yourself on days when your mental health gets the better of you. I want to remind people of their best moments to help them through their worst ones… I actually recorded the vocal for this on the day I was fired from my job! I want this EP to really showcase the issues surrounding mental health with honesty and sincerity, as I know so many people that suffer. I hope it helps to know that we all experience these ‘growing pains’.
Andy Howells puts questions to Anna about the music that has inspired her.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
Alicia Keys, Fallin’
What was the first single /download you bought?
Probably something by Beyoncé
What was the first album you owned?
Alicia Keys, Unplugged
What’s your constant go to track?
Jon Hopkins, Open Eye Signal
What’s your constant go to album?
Tame Impala, Currents
Who’s your latest music discovery?
Willow Smith!
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
Serious – it’s about being as dignified and real as I can be in the music industry