Life and Work with Anie Delgado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anie Delgado.

Anie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Music has been omnipresent my entire life. Though I was the first person in my immediate family to pursue a career in the arts, I’m not the first person who wanted to. My dad was the son of two Cuban immigrants and though he studied piano as a kid, he ended up getting a “practical job” out of necessity. He didn’t have the privilege I have as a third generation American with parents who could support me. This is the same man who has encouraged me to quit my own “practical” jobs before when they got in the way of my art because he felt it was his job to help me become anything I wanted to be. That’s why he got a boring, “practical” job anyways he would tell me.

That said, my dad was always playing the coolest music in the house. Everything from Cuban music (I grew up on Gloria Esteban. One of my family members even used to sew her dresses), to Led Zeppelin (still a favorite), to Prague rock like Yes.

In grade school, I used to keep a notebook and would write songs and poems. When I was about 10, I saw Freaky Friday (yes the Lindsey Lohan remake) and that inspired me to learn guitar. I got a guitar for my birthday that year and became a little songwriting machine. Through high school, I’d come home every day and write about my day or whatever I was feeling.

When it came time to decide what to do with my life and what colleges to apply to, I was torn. The difficulty of the music industry was made apparent to me by anyone I had talked to, but I still needed to do something with music. Something creative.

I ended up at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, alma matter to other artists like Janelle Monae and Jason Derulo, studying Integrated Performing Arts which was essentially musical theatre. It wasn’t my exact passion, but I was singing every day and learning valuable performing skills, so it felt right.

After graduating school, the most straight forward path was to start auditioning for musicals and so I did. I made my Off-Broadway debut shortly after graduation and developed a new musical to Off-Broadway. Meanwhile, I couldn’t get away from my passion for music and songwriting. I had joined a local experimental rock band Dr. Medicine, but after an EP and few gigs with the band and my musical theatre career moving along quickly I had decided it was time to go after what I really loved.

I dipped my toes in pop music while still in NYC writing and recording with a few emerging producers. After my third single, I realized it was time to be more serious about it and sought out established producers.

The journey to find the right producer has been much like dating. I’ve spoken to at least 20 and written with a few select to see how we vibe. I’ve finally settled on someone amazing and I’m really excited to release my first single with him. This is a really pivotal moment in my career. Everything I’ve been working towards since I graduated could come to fruition when I release this next single, so I’m super excited.

Has it been a smooth road?
Pursuing a career in the music industry, especially as a woman, is the opposite of smooth. Because the industry is so over-saturated there is a lot of shady stuff you have to work through. Add on being a woman and you also have people’s intentions to question.

Producing is a male-dominated industry, so you find yourself in weird situations from time to time and you have to constantly remind yourself that compromising your safety and well-being is not worth an opportunity that may or may not be real. I can’t tell you how many meetings I’ve been to where I’ve had to meet a total stranger at their home-studio. It’s really intimidating especially when you’re just starting out and you’re depending on your producing partner to help open doors for you.

To young women I’d say: always trust your gut, always get as much information on a person you decide to work with and research them before, and take every promise with a grain of salt. Nothing is going to be handed to you even if you do deserve it. Keep making music because you love it.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a pop artist and songwriter. I sing and play guitar and keys. I’m writing dark pop these days but am super excited that the industry is so fluid now allowing artists to mix in their different influences. I can see elements of R&B and rock in my music in the future. I am currently working on a single with PJ Bianco. He’s a really awesome songwriter and producer who has worked with so many successful artists. I’m really lucky to have him in my corner. He’s currently working with Arizona who is signed by Atlantic.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Yes!

Valley of the Dolls changed my entire life. Even though the book is set in the 50s and 60s, it really gave me perspective on my experience as a woman in modern society and how things haven’t really changed. It inspires me to use my art to insight change.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed though incredibly basic at this point has taught me to entertain even my weirdest, darkest, strangest feelings and thoughts and not to be afraid of them while writing. At the end of the day, we’re all wild animals.

And The Songwriter is… podcast is my favorite way to discover new producers and add to my list of dream collabs. Hey Benny Blanco, call me plz.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/anie_delgado
• Facebook: facebook.com/aniedelgadooffical
• Twitter: twitter.com/anie_delgado
• SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/anie_delgado
• Other: planetanie.com/shop

Image Credit:
First photo – Vanduncan Phillips, Photo of me looking down: Cheryl Skinn, All others: Scottie Midnight

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.