The Tuned Inn asks Anika about her self-titled debut, produced by Geoff Barrow of Portishead. Here, Anika explains her unconventional motivation for going into the recording studio, as well as the bands she’s most excited to see in Asheville.
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The Tuned Inn: A recent press release makes reference to your family’s music festival. What kind of festival is it and where is it located?
Anika: It's not really my family's festival. Back in the ‘80s, my aunties, uncle, and a load of their mates held a small gathering on a local boy's field, getting all their friends to play. Slowly it grew and bands came in from all over the world. They've always tried to cap it at a certain size though and emphasized family and community throughout. So it's run purely by a few hundred shareholders, who come from the village, and their mates, with a few professionals chartered in to help it run smoothly. It's a lot of work! I bought a share [of Haldern Open Air] when I was around 17 because I’d helped since I was around 13/14 and it had played a pretty important part in my life. It's the reason I got so interested in the industry and the behind the scenes part. It showed me the grim reality of it from a very young age, as well as the inspirational side to it.
The Tuned Inn: What inspired you to become a musician?
Anika: Recording the album happened totally by accident and at the time of recording, I didn't think it was going to get released. What motivated me to record something was because I was angry at the industry and wanted to record a record in a way that would confuse those a little too comfortable with the status quo. I had something to say and a point to make. That was my motivation.
The Tuned Inn: Tell us a little bit about the process of making your new album with Beak>. Was making it in 12 days a challenge or were you just following the natural timeline of the recording process?
Anika: Like I said, I didn't realize it was even going to get released, so 'finishing an album' was not really on my mind. I had only just met Beak>, who had been introduced through a mutual friend, on the premises that I had weird lyrics, a weird way of presenting them, and absolutely no desire to become a pop star. I knew nothing about them and just turned up because I trusted my friend's judgment. I really liked the way they recorded and Geoff had the same issues with the industry as I did, which was refreshing. He too wanted to make records 'his' way. I then found out after about 4 recording sessions that it was Geoff 'Portishead' Barrow...
The Tuned Inn: You’re playing at Moogfest this year. Have you ever been to Asheville?
Anika: No. I have been told much about the place already. I'm intrigued to say the least.
The Tuned Inn: Do you have any experience with Moog instruments? If so, which instruments?
Anika: I first discovered Moog and various exciting synth machines through Beak>. Since then, I have got worryingly excited about such things. I blame Geoff.
The Tuned Inn: Moogfest is a festival with a short, but rich history of electronic music innovation and a strong commitment to showcasing boundary pushers in music. How do you see your music, specifically this new album, fitting into that scene?
Anika: I really wanted to create something that would piss off the set-in-their-ways, trend-setters of the UK scene. Piss off in the sense that it would challenge what they consider good music, why they consider it good music and what is important when making a 'good' record. The UK industry was getting stale and a little predictable. It felt a little like people were scared to take risks
The Tuned Inn: What other artist(s) are you most excited to see perform at Moogfest?
Anika: Tangerine Dream mostly. Beak> too, of course. It certainly looks like an interesting and eclectic line-up. I'm pretty excited about the people watching part too. I'm a keen voyeur and will be armed with an old SLR Pentax, which I think officially belongs to my brother...
Photo credit: Jake Applebee
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