photo credit: Sherry Kocienski
Up-and-coming indie pop musician Annie Scherer is definitely one to watch. Her voice is velvety smooth and full of depth and character. She wrote and produced her single After Rain, with help from Aidan Sloppy on mixing and mastering. After Rain is an indie pop power ballad about embracing the vulnerability of new experiences and that there’s always a rainbow after the rain clears. “After Rain is about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel or finding the missing puzzle piece. The song is written from the fragile state of the narrator, which is how I felt entering a relationship after being so independent for years,” Scherer says about her latest track. This song uplifts and transports you to a place where you feel free. There is a measured control in her vocals which tells you that she’s a seasoned veteran. This track is brimming with emotion and intensity, but at certain points you’re set free and left feeling lighter. I was able to ask the singer-songwriter a few questions about her process, how being Asian-American influences her work, and her upcoming single After Rain.
What space were you in when “After Rain” was created?
I wrote the song on my keyboard in my Albany apartment.
What do you hope listeners take away from “After Rain”?
I hope listeners feel inspired to awaken their vulnerability as they approach new phases of their lives. It’s important to remember that even in our darkest moments, time eventually heals everything.
Where do you pull your inspiration from when crafting music?
My songwriting process varies with every song. I write from my personal experiences, as well as the perspective of others. Sometimes I’ll be reading or watching a show and I’ll come across a line that catches my attention. It’s always a construction off of a small idea, and I usually just go with the flow. Other times I’ll play a chord progression, and a melody will come to me.
What can you tell us about your upcoming album, Garden Bed?
Garden Bed is a collection of songs I’ve written over the past three years. I produced almost the entire album, which I’m very proud of. It was my first experience producing, so the recordings feel very personal. The title Garden Bed comes from one of the first lines of “Phases Grow,” a song that embodies the mood of the entire album.
How does being Asian-American influence your artistry?
Because there are so few Asian-Americans in the industry, I feel a responsibility to excel at what I do.
I also have a very interesting and impressive family history, which pushes me to keep up with my ancestors’ success. My grandmother grew up in Shanghai as the child of a wealthy businessman. My grandfather, on the other hand, grew up in China in extreme poverty and wound up at Princeton. Before he passed away, he loved that I played music and he used to sing songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to me. I strive to make them proud.
What is your dream collaboration?
I have so many, so it’s hard to pick. One of them would be Lana Del Rey, who is one of my biggest inspirations stylistically and as a songwriter.
Look out for Annie’s upcoming album Garden Bed, coming out on March 26! For more information, please visit: Website | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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