Itâs not every day that you find a piano in the Bronx River. âDeep Downâ Annalise Azadianâs newest single describes emotion, drowning in a Keysâesque sort of style. Following a debut at NYCFW, Azadian shifts between the worlds of music and fashion.âHolding onto what is leftâ âŠAzadianâs lyrics transport us to a chilly afternoon north of Central Park, and sweeping up the confetti from this summerâs single (âLife of the Partyâ) Azadianâs aura continues to exude with a quiet glitter. A New York native gives us the lowdownâŠ
How have these past few weeks been for you?
I just dropped on 11.11, and this song was cool cuz the video was special to me. It was a process to get it doneâŠand all my friends thought I was out of my mind, but we got it done, and it was crazy because I had put a little of the doc on Tik Tok, and it started to go viral after we shot it. I had to leave the piano in the river because it was so heavy that we couldnât get it up so we had to wait until the following week to pick it upâŠbut in the end we got it out!
How would you trace your process?
I started to write it with my guitar one day and I kept hearing the words âdeep downâ over and over, later on I connected with the producer SWAG who expressed interested. At the time I was going through a heartbreakâŠnot wanting to admit to myself that the love I thought was meant to be really wasnât. I felt like I was drowning. I really wanted to be submerged in water for the video to give an effect, but it was kind of a hard thing to achieve, so instead we chose the piano.
Has the Pandemic been fruitful for you?
In ways, and a little bit hurtful in others. I love to perform, and right before lockdown I had a sold-out show, I was about to go on tour. I got to perfect my craft and grow as a person. Having the whole world shut down, I got to be at one with myself and expand on my catalogue of music.
âLife of the Partyâ?
It started off as a soulful ballad, and then the production was changed to into this party/dance scene which I was hesitant about, but I also loved shooting that video! âDeep Downâ is more going back to my roots⊠and me having this kind of balladâesque song.
Your style?
I love fashion! I love getting to express myself. Everything I own I try to customize, and I always stray to the things that not everybody else hasâŠI love colors, and vibrancy which is kind of contradictory to who I am cuz Iâm not that outgoing. I also love Japanese culture and how much we gained inspiration from them.
NYC?
I feel like I live in a movie every time I leave my house⊠I wish things were recorded! Thereâs just so many people and so many different walks of life. Thereâs always something going on!
How has it changed?
I feel like it’s slowly coming backâŠthings close earlier than they used to. Now you have to have your vaccine to go anywhereâŠso thatâs definitely changed the city, but I feel like NY is always going to be NY. I felt bad for the mom-and-pop stores cuz thatâs what makes NY special as well.
How has it shaped your music?
I grew up as a tomboy my whole life. When I was seven, I played basketball, and I started skateboardingâŠthose were my main passions as a kid. I was always one of the boys, but kind of like the cool girl from the group. My mom shaped my love for rb&b, and I used to play r&b, and like old school stuff all the time in the house. As I got older, I started to get more into a rap phase and then I feel like Iâve kind of blended all those styles into myself. I havenât really tried to be anything; I think itâs just come naturally.
Conformity?
Iâve always felt free, and I didnât really think about it too much. Lately, as Iâve gotten older, certain people want me to conform, because the way I look isnât necessarily the way that I sound. At the end of the dayâŠI want to pave a new lane and prove that I can do it my way.
Your favorite artists?
I love certain artists like Erykah BaduâŠbut I guess currently on a personal level I love Coi Leray. Especially how she doesnât care, and she just does whatever is natural to her⊠even through all the hateâŠshe continues to be herself. I think thatâs admirable.
A few less serious qâsâŠ
Cookies or Brownies?
Cookies
Your favorite piece of furniture?
My desk!
If someone offered, you gum or a tick tack which one would you accept?
A tik tak!
Your favorite icon?
Marilyn Monroe!
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