First Day Feature: Anais Lauren discusses her new EP, songwriting process & more

With a gift of storytelling that can only come from experience Anais Lauren is certainly determined to be successful. Getting her start singing at a young age with school performances, chiors and other outlets allowed the Chicagoan a chance to develop a passion that still has not left. These days Anais incorporates several genres to create a sound that is very confident, independent, adult and all her own. From the work provided on the songstress’ first mixtape The Beauty and The Beat it was evident that the street-savvy lyricism was an asset that Anais could continue to build upon as an R&B artist. Preparing for her next body of work we caught up to discuss what was to come while also learning a bit more about her past.

For the readers meeting you for the first time would you like to introduce yourself?

I am Anais Lauren singer/songwriter from the city of wind.

Grewing up in Chicago, such a notoriously rough city I’m inclined to ask how it helped to mold you. What was it like for you growing up and how does it reflect on you now?

I was definitely bred to be tough out here. I had to fight as a young age seen a lot of crazy things and because of these things it taught me to keep going even if things seem hard. Those struggles and lessons became blessings.

What would you say keeps you motivated?

Fear, I’d say the fear of being average. Not pursuing my goals and regretting it later. Life is short you gotta make the most of it.

Who is your biggest inspiration as an artist and why?

Mariah Carey definitely. Her voice, songwriting and production have been a huge motivating factor. I’ve always looked up to her as a little girl I remember singing and dancing to her songs in the mirror, shit I still do lol.

If you had to pick one project that influenced you to pursue music which would you say it was?

It’s hard to pick one but I guess I’d say “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” that project was just pure greatness. It was full of mental gems, gems that I will never forget. I’d love for people to feel that way about my music one day.

2015 was a great year musically and it looks to continue on. Who’s on your playlist right now?

I’d have to single out two artist in particular Travis Scott and Jhene Aiko. Travis Scott and his cinematic production is just amazing to me. I always get hooked on his tracks. Jhene’s songwriting and realness is something the music game been needing. She’s real and talented like myself and I rock with that.

While on the subject of year’s past could you share some of your goals for 2016?

Releasing my EP and making sure everything is executed well, doing some awesome shows and continuing to build and get my name out there.

Describe the mood you set in the studio when you create?

Number one for me is having a good engineer with great energy. If we’re recording and you have no input or could careless about what your recording, I don’t want to work with you. Also no random people walking into my sessions, kills my mood. After that a few tokes of Mary and I’m ready to go.

What do you feel is the best song on your catalog and why?

Right now I’m feeling like it’s ” This Addiction” which will be released off of my upcoming EP. The rawness and realness of the song is something very personal to me and my struggle in finding love. I think a lot of people can relate.

What other details can you give us about the EP? It sounds like it will be a great listen.

My new project will be called “The Love Thirst” and it will feature 5 songs produced by Keeynote and we have some dope features as well.

Is there an expected drop date already?

The expectation is before summer time, definitely pushing for that

What is the overall sound to be expected?

It’s going to be a mix of genres R&B, Hip-Hop and Soul. Maybe a few other things.

How do you feel “The Love Thirst” will show how you differ from other singers that are currently doing their thing?

The fact that every song I bring to the table is going to have substance and some type of revealing honesty. I’m not looking to be a gimmick I want to make people feel lyrics again.

I was blessed to listen to a track of yours “What About”. It gives a very interesting perspective where you pretty much put yourself in the shoes of a manipulative man. How’d you come up with the concept for this one?

I feel like people stop making an effort once they feel like they got what they wanted out of a person and your left with what about? You said things were going to be like this and you flipped on me. In this case my talking about being stimulated mentally and sexually.

Do you write all of your own music? It seems to come from a personal place.

I do write all of my songs, it’s the only way I can really let my true feelings out and share them with the world.

How much of your music draws from personal experiences?

All of it, if it’s not about me it’s someone I know.

More so than anything what would you like your lasting legacy to be musically?

I want people to see that music with substance is and will always be relevant and I want to be apart of that.

Of course with anything worth having there will be obstacles. How do you deal with adversity that has been thrown at you and will be thrown in the future?

Faith is the only way. Faith in myself and God keeps me going.

Is there anything else you have to say to your fans while you have their attention?

I appreciate you and I can’t wait to share my new project with you. Also support independent art.