Check out our interview with talented Pop-R&B artist Anna Storm.
Hailing from a small town in Connecticut, Storm spent much of her childhood disregarded from others and continuously harassed by school bullies. Her only escape was music, allowing her to channel her emotions when there was no one else but herself. It was then that Anna Storm was born. Through adversity and determination Storm flourished in confidence, blooming into the fearless alpha female she is today. Storm declares, “You don’t need anyone’s approval, not about what you wear, not about what you do, not about what you feel. Self-love and self-confidence are such beautiful things, and they equate to power for those who decide to embrace them”.
Storm’s latest single is a dance pop banger with an 80’s electro influence. Entitled “Versace Shade” the single is essentially a dance new wave pop record. Storm confides, “Throughout my youth, I’ve spent a lot of time in the club scene across the US in major cities such as New York, Miami, LA & Vegas. I wanted to make an upbeat record you could dance to when you’re out getting turnt up, looking fly af, and slaying— something for the nightclubs and for people to get energized by.” Produced by Josh Stevens (LMFAO, Young Jeezy, Pitbull), “Versace Shade” features confident basslines, infectious melodies and quirky electronic soundscapes.
Follow Anna @itsannastorm
Hi Anna, please tell us a little about you?
I’m a popular social media personality, pop R&B artist who also dabbles in rap and overall boss betch. I slay all day and am very self-empowered to try to inspire others to succeed as well! I’m very eccentric, and march to the beat of my own drum. I have a very goofy/douchey persona on social media which is very tongue in cheek and draws people to me. I do not let anyone or anything dictate who I am.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Confident, slay af, stormy
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I did the whole academia, college and 9-5 typical career path. Although I received great grades, I never felt fulfilled by the common trajectory, and it seemed to me as though I was not living up to my greatest potential. Always very creative, obsessed with music and loving the spotlight, being cooped up behind a cubicle felt like prison to me. After graduating school and feeling like I was in a dead end at multiple inside sales jobs solely making phone calls all day, it occurred to me that maybe I just wasn’t meant to be like most people, and that’s why that career path wasn’t working out for me. I then luckily got connected with my current producer, Josh Stevens, and the rest is history. I decided I was going to actually dedicate myself towards pursuing my actual entertainment industry dreams because I had everything to gain, and nothing to lose by doing so.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Infectious, catchy, versatile.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
This is a tough question, but my primary influences have firstly been a lot of the late 90s and early 00s pop superstars— I grew up belting Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Mariah Carey, etc— and admired their overall talent, femininity and upbeat/catchy songs. I used to dance around my room to their songs all day and pretend I was a diva as well. I needed to watch TRL every day in order to see them and learn their dance routines. I thought to myself, I said to myself could do this, and decided to start writing pop songs and sing too. At the same time, I also loved rap/hip-hop because of their confidence, swagger & amazing beats— and found myself drawn to the culture as well— artists such as 50 Cent, Eminem & Jay-Z intrigued me. I chose to make music because I already had an infinity for music, but seeing these artists on MTV really pushed me to wanting to discover my own artistry.
Do you play any instrument?
No, I just play hoes. Does that count? LOL jk
Do you ever get nervous?
No, I love the spotlight and get energized by being on stage. I never get nervous because it excites me being in front of tons of people. The more people for me, the better because I feel like I am getting my message and artistry across to a greater amount of people. I just love the feeling of sharing myself with the world, being ultra confident on stage, and inspiring others to be confident in their own skin as well.
Tell us about your new single “Versace Shade?”
My new single, “Versace Shade,” is a very upbeat dance-pop record with an 80s new wave influence. It is very catchy, infectious and definitely something you want to bump when you are getting ready to go party. I wanted to put listeners in a really positive, feel good and empowered mood when listening to this record. I think the trippy af visual video with the dancing cats really complements the single because it is so in your face and silly, while also simple and effectively making a statement. I think the entire song is a 2 minute and 44 second pop anthem for people to just feel good to!
What’s the story behind this song?
My first two records, “Confident” & “Red Bottoms & Sandy Beaches,” were a lot more representative of my online persona and included more of my silly catch phrases like “slaylife” and just expressing my alpha female vibe. We wanted to introduce people to the first impression of Anna Storm. With this new record, we wanted to reveal another facet of my artistry. While still being upbeat and dance influenced, it has a more eerie and dark instrumental. It talks about opinions over my online persona, and how I overcome them from just being myself and loving who I am— “I’m the phenomenon.” We wanted to bring listeners deeper into my world with this record, and I think we accomplished that.
How was working with a big producer like Josh Stevens?
Josh Stevens is an outstanding creative talent, and I’m honored to have gotten the opportunity to work with him so closely in the very beginning of my career. He really loves and has an incredible knowledge of the industry, and is always trying to teach me and make me better in my own career. He really gets my brand and it’s awesome getting to bounce ideas off of him. Being able to work with Josh both creatively and in furthering my own knowledge of the business is a privilege and I’m grateful to have him on my team!
Did you had plans/concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online concerts or interaction with your fans?
I had some international travel planned that was cancelled related to my music career, but that will be rescheduled. I recently participated in the biggest virtual concert series, iVoted Festival, produced to increase voter turnout on election night. It was an honor to be asked to do this show because huge established artists like Billie Eilish & TI participated in it as well. I still interact closely online with all my fans— my “stormtroopers,” and have maintained my online presence throughout quarantine. I love my fans and want to be there for them during this tough time. We need all the positivity possible to counteract these hardships that many people are experiencing now, and if I can make others laugh and love themselves more through my online interactions, I feel like I am helping to foster that positivity right now even if the interactions are highly limited in person.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
I’m currently working on a couple projects with my boyfriend Wes Scantlin from Puddle of Mudd that have not been released yet— which I’m really excited about. As a pop artist, it’s awesome being able to work with established artists that I looked up to from other genres— so you might get to see a little rockstar from Anna Storm very soon! Also I’d love to work with some of my pop icons and rap icons— collaboration to me is truly incredible and further adds to your artistry.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
Being able to be creative and having endless possibilities in what I can achieve and create is what is so much fun for me in my career. The sky is the limit in my industry, and that’s what I love. I appreciate being able to be me, slay and inspire other people and bring out the best in them. When people reach out to me on social media and tell me that they love watching me everyday on IG and I make them want to be more confident, it touches me because it makes me feel like I’m using my talents to help urge others to discover their own potentials. I love knowing that I can bring joy to others and make them laugh by being goofy if they are having a bad day. Nothing is not fun in my career because even the difficult aspects contribute to who I am as an artist. You need the struggle to get to the success— it makes you more whole.
What’s next for Anna Storm in 2021?
More slayage, surprises and blessings. You’ll have to #slay tuned to find out. But I can you one thing— the weather forecast has made it clear that its #StormSZN, so grab your umbrellas because I’m about to make it rain, make it monsoon on the whole entire world.
What is you favorite song? And why?
So hard to pick just one song, but probably I’m a Slave 4 U by Britney Spears because the song was so cutting edge at the time. I remember seeing the music video for the first time all over MTV and seeing Britney in her amazing sexy hot pink bra shirt and thong over her low cut jeans doing the sickest dance moves and thinking I want to be like her— she’s so confident and fierce and the song is such a banger. Whenever I listen to this song, I immediately become a vixen/bombshell and get into a hyped mood. It brings me back to the early 2000s which is my fav era in music.
Any loves other than music?
Food, especially carbs and pizza. I wish I could be paid millions of dollars to eat pizza in my bikini. LOL. Also I just love life, and slaying life in general.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears because they inspired me so much to get into pop music to begin with— it would be surreal to meet them! I’d also love to meet Paris Hilton because I look up to her as a fashion and pop culture icon, as well as a super savvy businesswoman. I aspire to create my own empire the way Paris has. I also love her catch phrases and ballsy/boss betch attitude— it is larger than life.
Best advice ever given?
#Slaylife— my own motto. It’s what I live by— killing life 24/7 365 and letting no one and nothing get in the way of my goals and who I am. Since I live my life by this principle, I am always able to fearlessly accomplish whatever I want— I manifest my own destiny because of my self-confidence and self-love.
How’s a typical day in your life?
Wake up, make breakfast, hit the gym to get my #gainz on and stay shredded, take a couple bomb ass selfies, tell myself how amazing I am, write some music, talk to friends, party and celebrate life like every day is my birthday and just slay all day. Everyday is a reason to rejoice and pop champagne in StormVille. I’m just happy to be alive and be able to do what I love most!
Name one your strengths?
My confidence. Because I believe in myself so much and don’t let anyone else define me, I can achieve whatever I want to in life. So can anyone else if they are able to maintain confidence. When you are confident, you glow and make a different impression on others. You won’t let any obstacle bring you down— adversity can build confidence and strength. Life will always have its ups and downs, but if you love yourself, you’ll always be winning.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Taking awesome selfies because after all Sunday is #selfiesunday, making a delicious pasta meal and pigging out on carbs, listening to bangers and twerking in my living room, and cuddling.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Any Christina Aguilera song because I love attempting the vocal runs and pretending I’m an over the top diva. I love car concerts and being extra, and what better way to do that than with an Xtina song?
What is your own definition of happiness?
Loving yourself regardless of what anyone has to say about you. True happiness is a feeling no one can take away from you— it comes from deep within and cannot be replaced by material things. When you are content and proud of yourself and your life, you are always smiling and at piece. And that is a very powerful thing!
Do you support any charities?
Save The Children to give underprivileged children in third world countries a better life. Children are the future and it’s important to protect and value them. Not everyone has gotten the same opportunities as me, and I want to do my part to ensure they can shine.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Pizza is healthy right? Tomato sauce is veggies, cheese is protein, and bread is just good for your soul. I rest my case.
And your favorite cheat food?
Pizza. It’s the answer to every food question LOL. Pizza is the solution to just anything in life and if you disagree with me than I don’t need your negativity in my life.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Talking too much about your exes. I don’t care about who you’ve dated before, how big their boobs were, how many followers they had on IG, etc. Don’t define yourself based upon your past, try to focus on the future and on ME. You’re on a date with ME. Build me a shrine or get to the back of the line. #Slaylife
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still slaying, with a music and acting empire. I see myself on top of the world because of my work ethic and grind. I want to create a clothing line, sunglass line, maybe my own pizzeria…with vision and hard work literally anything is possible.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Glam, eccentric and fancy. I don’t try to dress like anyone else, and try to be a trendsetter rather than follow trends. I love to stand out— at an all white themed party, you can count on me to be the one boldly dressed in hot pink holographic latex. I love to make statements and use fashion to express my confident and brazen personality. I won’t ever be average, I’m savage!
What do you think of Social Media?
It’s fun and entertaining and I love interacting with fans on social media. I have built my brand by utilizing social media platforms, so I do think it is a great tool. However, there are a lot of opinions and haters on social media, so you have to learn how to tune them out and not let strangers on the inter web effect you and your momentum. I see so many people get angry and caught up by social media world— you have to be able to separate real life from Internet life. People can get so insecure by social media, so try not to let it consume you. If you use it proactively, it can help you rather than harm you.
Where we can follow you?
Hamming the gram on IG @itsannastorm, YouTube Anna Storm, Facebook, www.itsannastorm.com, TikTok. Everything is Anna Storm. It’s a stormy world, biotches just live in it. Oh and at your local Italian restaurant eating everything in sight. That’s where you can find me.
Quote: “Don’t hate the player, hate the slayer.”
Movie: The Saw Movies—- I love gross horror movies and being creeped out. I know I’m weird, but it’s the only kind of movie which captivates my attention. I have to feel uncomfortable watching movies in order to pay attention to them.
Travel Destination: Europe or the fridge to eat my feelings. Get in mah bellayyyyy.
Sports Team: The Kansas City Chiefs because that’s my boyfriend Wes’ favorite team and I don’t know anything about sports.
