Anna Winkin

Anna Winkin is a Belgian singer-songwriter. She has been living in London for 7 years where she studied music at BIMM London and at The Guildhall school of music and drama. Anna is currently based in Portugal.

This year in May, Anna released a music video for my single ‘Moon and Back’ which has been entirely filmed in the Algarve (South of Portugal).. It’s available on YouTube and the single is available on all streaming platforms.

Anna's brand new single ‘Galaxies’ was just released on the 2nd December on all streaming platforms. It’s a song about the magic of the invisible worlds and infinite love!

Q: What 1st drew you to music?

I’ve always been singing. I remember seeing ‘Janet Jackson - All for you’ on TV when I was a child and knowing that it was what I wanted to do when I grow up.

It’s the incredible feeling of getting things out of your chest that singing brings that is making me come back to it all the time.

Q: Do you have a musical background?

Both of my parents were very involved in choirs both at church and in school since their young age. Both of them have been choir leaders at some point too. They naturally sent me to music lessons after school when I was a kid and I never stopped. I learned piano and flute and have also been in choirs during all my childhood and teenagehood. They supported me later when I decided to go to London to study and focus on music.

Q: Do you have a preferred or chosen genre?

Soul and RnB have been the genres I have been listening to the most when I was a teenager. I later found out a growing interest in celtic and world music. But all in all, I would say that I am moved by any music that is played with heart and authenticity.

Q: I read that you performed alongside Liane Caroll, one of my all-time favorites, as well as performed a set of your original music at renowned music venue ‘Ronnie Scotts’. Can you tell us a little bit about these experiences?

When studying at the Guildhall school of music and drama in London, us singers have been extremely lucky to have Liane as guest teacher for a term. During that trimester, a performance has been organized with her and some of us were lucky to sing both backing vocals and solos for and with her. It was such an amazing experience and Liane was just so friendly, fun and incredibly talented.

About my performance at Ronnie Scotts, this was also a precious moment in my music journey so far. I launched my first EP ‘Space for Love’ released in 2017 upstairs at Ronnie's as part of the Ruby Sings Show. I’m feeling honored to have played in such a renowned music venue.

Q: What is your creative process like?

I have tons of small Dictaphone recordings of me singing melodies that come to my mind at random moments in my everyday life on my phone. Some of them have been there for years and for others, I am inspired to develop them quite quickly.

Mostly, I either take one of these vocal memos and try to develop them sitting at my piano. Or I start from scratch and improvise at the piano for a moment. Then I start singing melodies and slowly put some words on them.

Sometimes I also start creating a basic beat on Logic pro on which I put some vocals and harmonies. Recently, I’ve also been composing music directly in the studio with my producer. He was creating a beat and I was creating the vocal lines.

Q: Are there any challenging aspects to writing and recording your music?

Regarding the writing specifically, sometimes I am not sure how much I can reveal in my lyrics. For me, authenticity and honesty are two factors that make the difference in music. But you also want to preserve your intimacy so it can be difficult to see where the limit is in how much you share with your auditors and how much you are ready to reveal about yourself.

Secondly, I know that I composed my best music when I was at a good place with myself, dedicating a lot of my time to contemplating nature and having some quiet moments. When I manage to put this as a priority, this is when I get the most inspiration. But it’s not always easy at all times to preserve that type of daily life as you also have to pay bills and to socialize. Basically time management can sometimes be a challenge for me.

Q: What is the best song you ever released and why?

My first Single ‘The Most Important’ released in September 20217 will forever be in my heart as it is one of the first songs I’ve ever written and the moment I wrote it was a magic moment. I got surprised by the inspiration I got and it felt so vibrant to realize I was able to create my own music. I realize that singing my own music felt more vibrant than singing any other music.

Q: What song do fans seem to favor?

So far, I think it’s ‘The Most Important’. It is the one that has the most streams on Spotify and I am sure it is for the reason I explained in the previous question.

Q: I read that you did some musical theater (?). Would you like to do more?

Yes! When I was living in London, I had the opportunity to play one of the main roles in a musical called ‘Lost in the stars’ at the Union Chapel. This is something I would like to dedicate more time to as well when it’s the right time. For now, completing my own music project is the most important for me. But if a new opportunity comes to me, I’d do it joyfully as I love musical theatre so much too.

Q: Would you like to travel to other countries to perform your music? If so, what would be your first stop?

Yes. Going on tour is one of my goals with my music. I’d love to start by going around Europe and further if I can. I would love to play in Africa at some point too. My mother is from Congo and I’ve never been there yet so think it would be a good opportunity to honour my roots.

Q: Other than fame & fortune, is there something you hope to achieve through music?

Fame and fortune would actually be the icing on the cake. In this life, I feel the need to express and discover myself in depth and singing is a wonderful tool for that. Most of all I want to be happy and feel that I’ve achieved something in my personal growth. I hope I can find that in myself and hopefully spread it to many people if it can help or inspire someone.

Q: Tell about a magical moment or positive experience that has happened during your career.

At my first EP launch in 2017, the one I did in Belgium, it got sold out. It was a small venue of 300 people and the rom was full. At the end of the gig, when I came from backstage to the audience, I saw that most of the people were queuing to come and talk to me. I wasn’t expecting so much love in return and I felt very touched by that. It’s as if it was a confirmation that I could trust myself and the journey I’m on with music.

Q: What music do you listen to ‘for fun’?

Disney music! And I also listen to it ‘for serious’, I am not ashamed of it! I find it so full of wonderful messages and hope!

Q: Who inspires you musically?

My favorite of the moment is Lianne La Havas. I find her so gorgeous and unique.

Otherwise I like listening to other beautiful artists such as Amel Larrieux, Alicia Keys, Kiah Victoria, Enya, Danit, Peia, Nessi Gomez, Erykah Badu, Jehne Aïko, Emeli Sande and many more!

Q: If one artist were to perform at your party, who would get the call?

Alicia Keys, I love her vibe and she inspires me so much from the very beginning.

Q: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Trust yourself. Only you know what’s best for you. Your ideas have incredible values, give them credit and give yourself credit!

Q: How do you feel the Internet has impacted sharing your music?

I find very helpful the growing amount of tools and info available on the internet to help independent artists to develop their own music career. I surely gained a big part of my followers thanks to the internet.

Q: What is your favorite/best outlet to connect with your followers Instagram, Spotify, FB, Twitter, iTunes? How would you want them to follow?

I am the most present on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify. Please save my songs in your Spotify and other streaming platforms playlists and follow me on Instagram and Facebook! Getting your favorite music from Bandcamp is also a great support for artists.

Q: If you can have fans remember one thing about you, what would it be?

I hope to inspire them to connect deeper to their heart.

Q: What does the future hold for you?

A couple of new Singles are coming with hopefully an album in about a year. I hope to take part in some music festivals too.

Q: Did I forget to ask something? Something you would like to say, that I did not address.

No, your questions were pretty good! Thank you so much for your support and interest!