Having roots in Miami, Florida, currently Los Angeles based performer and guitar player, Anie Delgado was influenced by the culture she grew up in, specifically Latin music, with hints of late 90s grunge and pop queens of the early 2000s. She found her passion while attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She’s currently collaborating with chart-topper PJ Bianco (Avicii, Arizona, and Jonas Brothers), and has a new music video coming out soon titled, “Galaxy.”
Read on to find out what Anie had to say about her influences, the culture she grew up in, her introduction to the guitar, and her love of playing it.
You grew up inspired by Latin music, late 90s grunge, and pop queens of early 2000s. How have each of these genres shaped your songwriting and performing?
I think Latin rhythm is ingrained into my soul. I love a beat that I can dance to, and I think that is reflected in my music even though it doesn’t fall right under the Latin genre. I love to tie 90s grunge into the way I dress and perform on stage. I guess I never lost my angst. I feel like growing up watching all of the queens of the early 2000s really ingrained a certain kind of confidence and prowess in me when I perform. I also was inspired by their songwriting. I’ve always loved Taylor Swift’s knack for telling a really specific story that millions can relate to but from her own unique perspective. I strive for that in my writing.
You also play guitar…what was your first introduction to guitar?
When I was in elementary school, I saw the “Freaky Friday” remake, and I thought Lindsay Lohan’s character was SO cool. I had to be like her, so I asked my parents for a guitar, so thanks LiLo.
You recently relocated to the LA area to work with PJ Bianco. How did that collaboration come about, and what has been your writing and recording process like so far?
I actually initially moved here to work with another producer, to be closer to the kind of energy I wanted to collaborate with. He ended up moving back to the east coast, so although we were working together remotely, I feel like having the distance between us made it harder to break ground.
Meeting PJ came at the exact right moment and was such a great surprise. I started working with manager Jeff Gordon this January, and he immediately started reaching out to his network of producers to see who would meet with me. That landed me a meeting with PJ. I was so nervous for that meeting. I spent the entire car ride listening to every song I could find that PJ worked on. I really wanted to work with him. When I met him, two things happened: 1) I realized he’s super cool. I immediately felt a vibe with him and realized I had nothing to be nervous about, and 2) he really got me. I don’t remember exactly what he said, but at one point, I felt like he was staring into my soul and then just calmed all of the questions and insecurities you have as a new artist. He was just like “hey, this is going to be good, just write some honest music and this will be great.”
The coolest thing about the process is it took me back to my roots. PJ gave me homework to go home and write some genuine, honest, raw songs on my guitar without worrying about genre, brand, or style, and we’d go from there. He told me not to be afraid to suck, and so I did. “Galaxy” was actually the first song I wrote and sent to PJ. I sent him ten other songs, but I think we both knew immediately that was the one.
The recording process was so easy. I was hyper-prepared and kind of expected to be in the studio for hours, but we cut it fairly quickly. PJ and co-producer Nick Lee listened to me play the song on my guitar. We adjusted the key a little and discussed style and laid my vocals down. I had a cut pretty much the next day.
You have a new music video coming up for your single “Galaxy.” What was the vision and filming process like for it?
Yes! I’m so excited for it. I’m a really visual person, so music videos are fun for me. We really wanted to tap into the spirit of the song. “Galaxy” is about those connections in life that make you feel infinite and those perfect moments that you’re in pure euphoria because everything is in perfect sync. I played the song for director Brandon Buczek, and he pitched me an idea and I loved it. The video really plays with how these connections make really normal moments feel out of this world. Brandon is really talented at finding the poetic, beautiful nuances in relationships and reality, so I knew he was the man for the job.
Is an EP and/or album on the way?
I’m dying to tell a full story on an album / EP, but we’re sticking to singles in the immediate future. It’s really important to me to keep the songs coming for my fans. Singles allow me to release more often. I think I can predict at least an EP in the next year though.
Guitar Gear
What kind of guitar do you play, and is there a guitar you’d like to play but haven’t yet?
I played the goofiest guitar ever for the longest time. It was a hot pink acoustic-electric guitar. It was a birthday gift from my parents in high school but I recently upgraded to a Yamaha Acoustic Electric. Her name is Spicy. I really want to get a bad-a** electric guitar for my live shows. I grew up playing Fenders, so probably a Fender of some kind.
What strings do you use?
I use Ernie Ball reinforced strings usually. Always metal.
Mics, pedals and pics?
Because of the nature of my music, I don’t play live that often and therefore I don’t use pedals. If I do, I usually just use Ableton Live. I’m a weirdo and don’t use a pic when I play for the most part.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite thus far?
Hilary Duff! I saw her three years in a row as a kid then didn’t go to another show until college. It was super weird considering how much I love music. I just saw Maggie Rogers at Coachella, and I wept the entire show. She’s so special. Tame Impala would be a close second.
What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?
I was a die-hard Hilary Duff fan if you can’t already tell, so the first album I remember buying was Metamorphosis. I also religiously played The Beach Boys in my car in high school because I got a VW Beetle and it just felt right. I got into vinyl in college and immediately gravitated toward Radiohead and Grizzly Bear. They sound great on vinyl.
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to be without?
Heard it In A Past Life – Maggie Rogers
Golden Hour – Kasey Musgraves
OK Computer – Radiohead
Red – Taylor Swift (for nostalgia- I still blast this and sing at the top of my lungs like I did in high school).
Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin
Name your top three female artists who have been the most influential in your music and performing?
Beth Gibbons from Portishead – I love her songwriting and versatility.
Taylor Swift – Her songwriting was really influential for me at the beginning.
Ariana Grande – I love her energy on stage and how she interacts with her fans.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Yes! I’m obsessed with Ariana Grande. I mean her music is good, but it’s just funny to me because I’m not the type to fangirl and I fangirl SO hard for her. I lost it when I finally got to see her live at Coachella.
Find Anie on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Stream her music on Spotify and Apple Music.