Connecting musically from across the miles

Anna of the North

It’s lucky that Anna of the North is fronted by Anna Lotterud, a Norwegian singer who formed the duo with producer Brady Daniell-Smith back in 2014. The two ended up going their separate ways in 2018, one year after releasing their debut album, “Lovers,” but she got to keep the band name.

Since then, Lotterud has gone on to release two solo albums with self-penned tracks, as well as some written with collaborators. Among the people she has worked with are some of the biggest international acts including Tyler The Creator, Rex Orange County, Steve Lacy, Dua Lipa, Honne, Prep, Snake Hips and Alina Baraz.

“Dream Girl” by Anna of the North came out in October 2019, just months before the pandemic put a halt on all live performances. In November of last year, she released “Crazy Life,” a title chosen to encapsulate how she and many others felt as the pandemic—and its attendant restrictions—raged on.

Lotterud has a languid way of speaking, as if she had just been roused from a particularly restful nap. During the online media roundtable last week, she obligingly answered similar questions asked of her by the entertainment press.

Vocal PH fans

“I’ve never been to this part of the world, but I’m really excited to play my songs, and connect with the audience,” she said. She recently held a series of concerts in Europe and the United States.

When she announced last month on her Instagram dates for her upcoming tour of the Asia-Pacific region and Japan, the Philippines originally did not make the cut. Vocal Pinoy fans repeatedly asked why the country wasn’t included, to which Lotterud replied by tagging her team and the tour organizers. A few weeks later, a Philippine date was added: Sept. 29 at the Samsung Hall in Taguig.

Was she aware that she had a following here in the country? “I’ve noticed that I’m more accepted internationally vs in Norway. I find it so cool to have connected, for my songs to have connected with people from around the world.”

Lotterud is all about making connections. She said that when she writes, she is wary about naming the person the song is about because she wants her listeners to relate to the track without any preconceived notions.

“I’m very honest in that sense, but I want people to create their own stories with my music,” she said.

Overcoming stage fright

Now that her 10th anniversary as a singer is coming up next year, Lotterud has attained a sort of calm when it comes to performing. “I used to struggle with stage fright, but it’s gotten easier perhaps because of the chemistry I share with the band. I feel lucky that I get to travel and perform in different countries.”

In late 2020, she recorded her version of Cher’s hit song, “Believe” but gave it her own spin, singing it more slowly, more deliberately.

“I originally sang this as a closing song in a concert in 2019, just before the pandemic. I decided to record and release it as a single. I consider it my love letter to fans,” she told Inquirer Entertainment.

“I’ve grown so much, it’s like night and day. Now I’m not as nervous [when performing]. It’s freeing because I’m able to enjoy it. I’m more stable in all aspects of the music industry.”

Still, Lotterud couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the early days when she was just starting out.

“I long for the time when I used to write without having to think about what people would think of the music—that freshness when I didn’t have as many songs.”

Anna of the North’s “Crazy” concert at the Samsung Hall in Taguig on Sept. 29 is presented and produced by DMC Philippines. Tickets are available at smtickets.com. INQ