Annie J Opens Up About Music, Motherhood, and Making Magic with “Been Loving You”

Annie J’s sophomore EP “Been Loving You,” released October 18, 2024, masterfully blends retro-soul with modern pop sensibilities, creating a sound that feels both classic and refreshingly contemporary. From the introspective depths of “Your Power” to the infectious disco-inspired “Gotta Give It Up,” Annie crafts a deeply personal narrative that speaks to themes of vulnerability, self-acceptance, and transformation.

Annie’s unique musical perspective was shaped by her upbringing as the second-eldest in a large Mormon family, moving between small American towns throughout her childhood. Finding refuge in music, she drew inspiration from a diverse array of artists – from the soulful prowess of Whitney Houston and Nina Simone to the storytelling genius of Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. These varied influences converge beautifully in her work, particularly evident in this latest release.

Now based in Seattle’s vibrant music scene, Annie has surrounded herself with talented collaborators who have helped shape “Been Loving You” into a powerful testament to personal growth. The EP not only showcases her evolution as an artist but also demonstrates the profound impact of her journey and creative community.

In our conversation, Annie opens up about the stories and creative process behind “Been Loving You,” sharing honest reflections on self-discovery and personal growth. With engaging candor and infectious enthusiasm, she reminds us that while celebrating progress is essential, self-love remains an ongoing journey. Join us as we delve deeper into the music and meaning behind Annie J’s latest release.

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Congratulations on the release of “Been Loving You”! How does it feel to finally share this new music with your fans?

Thank you! It feels…wonderful to share this very personal musical journey with folks. We began work on this project about two years ago and it’s shifted a lot since then, a lot of people really came together to make it shine and it feels authentic and loving. A positive drop in the community’s bucket!

Can you tell us about your artistic vision and how “Been Loving You” fits into your overall musical journey?

I think ‘Been Loving You’ digs a little deeper into what’s been going on for me, musically, over the course of my life. Pulling in current and very yester-year influences, not being afraid to see what bubbles up and see beauty in it – which is a new experience for me! I’ve definitely been in the “I hate everything I do” club.

But there was a kind of peace within this project and the people I chose to work with. A new ability to leap and commit, which I’m super grateful for. And I know a lot of that comes from being surrounded by my trusted musical family and partnerships.

How would you describe your sound and style, and how has it evolved leading up to “Been Loving You”?

My style and sound are very R&B, soul, modern pop, with the subtle underpinning of 90’s country I was obsessed with as a kid that I kinda forgot about as an adult, honestly. There is story telling within tone and arrangement. Really colorful chords, kinda where hip hop and jazz meet. It’s my take on all of the beautiful things that have sunk in over the years.

What inspired the concept and lyrics of “Been Loving You”? Is there a personal story or message behind the song?

There are absolutely very personal threads on this record. A lot of lines were mumbled or improvised at first and then I’m like, “what does this even mean?” for a few days, and then it hits you hard. Like a part of my brain that rarely gets access to the real world was able to sing through in this work; it’s confusing and fascinating to me and I want more of it.

And I’m at a point in my life where I’m really re-examining who I am vs who I want to be. Like, I want to be a better partner and mother than I have been. I want to be a better friend and community member, which is hard to do when you don’t really like yourself that much. So there’s a lot of pumping up and self-affirming language and music here. And I think that’s a message anyone can relate to.

Can you walk us through the creative process of writing and recording “Been Loving You”? Any notable challenges or breakthroughs?

We gave ourselves a long weekend, four days; Nick Foster (my husband), Scott Paul Johnson, and myself, and all of these tunes were pretty well formed by the time we were done. I remember we thought we were done, went out to breakfast to celebrate, but then there was a nagging feeling like, nah we gotta get back in the studio for another hour or two. Scott had to make a flight back out to Chicago, so we were pushing it. And Makin Bacon just spilled out, super organically. We were all pretty high from it I remember!

There were moments when our, then 2yr old, son desperately needed to be in the studio to “make music” with us. So, in the spirit of the weekend, we let him in which is how the song Interlude was born. He got the mic that time so mommy had to pick up the flute. Just as a result of saying, fine! Fuck it! And I love what we got there.

Toward the end of the nuts and bolts of production and trying to get the project over the finish line, we hit some road blocks for sure which really only led to more character, and more flavor. It became a really lovely, personal connection point with folks that came through for us in the end.

My dear friend, Emily Westman (a truer savant I have yet to meet) was just like, what do you need, I’m here for it all. She arranged and played strings for Gotta Give It Up, and did a lot of cool aux perc and synth stuff. A burst of energy as we were just dragging this thing across the finish line. Outa dough, outa ideas, and now looking back, lifted up by a whole lot of talent and love from our dear community.

How do you hope listeners will interpret and connect with “Been Loving You”?

Oh I hope people feel empowered and loved. It’s an “I’m starting with the man in the mirror” moment, its an “all you need is love” moment. But it’s not hitting you over the head, it’s all very personal, almost private, and I do hope there is some universality.

“Been Loving You” seems to explore themes of love and relationships. Can you elaborate on what inspired this focus?

Wanting them (love and relationships)! The onset of the pandemic and becoming a parent happened simultaneously in this household and…we all did what we could. I noticed a lot of darkness within myself that kind of exploded out in desperate moments and I really wanted to dig into that, to try and get to where that was coming from.

I guess there’s a realization that, you know, youth is gone and things don’t come as easily, when things become more deliberate. Being decisive about how I was going to treat myself and others wasn’t always my thing. Honestly, I still really struggle with that. But, choosing to love is where new and old beautiful relationships are born or reborn.

Who or what influenced the sound and style of “Been Loving You”? Any specific artists, albums, or genres that shaped the track?

Eryka Badu was a big influence, that blend of jazz and hip hop. And I’ve always been inspired by the authenticity of the lyrics, the story, the creativity. One of my favorite moments of hers is a song that I’ve listened to hundreds of times, called ‘Out My Mind’ particularly the two minute intro.

I was listening to Billie Eilish’s ‘Happier Than Ever’ album on repeat that summer. It’s a gem top to bottom; I love the writing, production, and just overall style. It shows restraint and beauty, it’s patient and also hard hitting at times. I remember thinking, that’s a pretty solid goal to be working towards.

And as I said earlier, it was a process of closing my eyes and letting the music come out which I think means my influences are varied, often subconscious,  and rooted within different locations and times of my life.

What’s next for Annie J? Are you working on a new album or EP?

What is next? Great question 🙂

I’d love to do a few little exploratory things over the coming year in our home studio before working on the first full length. But, I am absolutely thrilled to begin that process. Just thinking about it fills me with excitement.