Norwegian Anana discusses overcoming writer's block and betrayal to make brilliant new EP 'Well'

Leaving behind the "underwater pop" of "Swimmer's Body Illusion", the KOSO Collective member has put together an immersive set of songs which combine found-sounds and acoustic and digital instruments, creating a world more than fraying at the seamns, a place where trust is absent and hope is often replaced by frustration.

From the piano and voice ambience of "Vague" to the cut-up electronics of "Selfish Fish On Land", Anana has delivered a debut EP absolutely worth the wait.

We spoke to the Norwegian to find out a little more about Well.

Hey Anana, it feels like it’s been a while since “Swimmer’s Body Illusion”...what’s been going on since then?

Anana: "Yes, it has! A terrible case of writer’s block, to be honest. In other words, making this EP was far from easy. It took me a couple of years."

What can you tell us about the EP? Is there a theme which holds the tracks together?

"The main theme of the EP is disappointment and loss.

Most of the tracks deals with the feeling of being stabbed in the back by the one you trust the most, and not being able to forget and not wanting to forgive. It’s like that person has died while still being alive, and the music is trying to express this state of grief. 'High Hopes', on the other hand, has more of a political theme. The verses are being (ironically) told from the perspective of one in power, whereas the chorus represents a dreamlike scenario where this person actually understands the frustration of young people today. It’s my favourite track on the record despite the very Pink Floydish title."

It’s an EP which sounds like it’s trying (and succeeding) to bring together acoustic/organic and digital sounds together....was this a conscious decision?

"Yes! I wanted to combine 'old school' Anana with current Anana. The beats are exclusively based upon 'Musique concrète' – I recorded sounds and noise in my apartment and in the streets of Oslo, and put together a huge library. You can probably spot this best in 'High Hopes', where the rhythm section consists only of me carefully hitting plants, breathing and snapping matches haha. And the main beat in 'Selfish Fish on Land' is several recordings of gravel mixed together. These sounds gives the tracks an identity and more of a depth, I think. The listener can discover something new even if they’ve heard the songs a thousand times.

There’s a lot of synths in my music as well, of course. But I restrained from using MIDI on this EP, and 'Rip Off Every Toe' was recorded without a click track (which you probably can hear). To get out of writer’s block mode, this way of challenging myself was perhaps decisive."

Are there any influences on the EP? Music you were listening to, things happening in the world around you?

"It feels as if everything has turned upside down, recently. Right wing extremism is on a rise, we are ruining our planet, there are no jobs, there’s a massive (and growing) divide between rich and poor, wealthy countries are competing in having the strictest immigration policies. People are getting tired of politicians and their rhetoric, but at the same time feel powerless. This chaos was my main inspiration, but in addition to the fact that the world seems to be moving in the wrong direction, my personal life has gone through some fundamental changes. I think the music expresses that feeling of frustration and disorientation, while the vocals are desperately trying to keep it all together. Actually, I was pretty sick of everything surrounding my life when I started on the EP - including music. The only thing I listened to was Louis Cole and Knower!"

There’s a definite feeling of release to the EP...was it important to be able to direct your feelings outwards on this?

"Thank you for noticing! This time around I’m the one pointing fingers, and taking none of the blame myself. And none of the tracks are about love! The last couple of years I’ve really made final choices, experienced life at its best and worst, figured myself out. I’m finally a person, if you know what I mean, and Well represents a watermark in the process of becoming one. I’m past Britney’s 'not a girl, not yet a woman'-phase ;)"

You do everything yourself on the EP and of course it’s out on KOSO....what does being part of the collective mean to you?

"Because of KOSO, I believe in myself as a musician. Said even cheesier: KOSO gives me confidence. I learn so much from being around talented, creative people wanting to share their knowledge. It’s crucial to have a group of people backing you without a selfish agenda, and giving you support, time, space and constructive criticism."

The EP is out today, but what’s next for you?

"Next year I’ll be taking Well with me on stage around the country, and I’ve already started making new music – something a bit different. So, we’ll see ;)"