Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond Annahstasia
Aug 12, 2025
Annahstasia, a soulful musician known for her album 'Tether' and her unique artistic journey, shares her transformative experiences in the industry. She recounts discovering her voice during a school talent show and navigating the complexities of songwriting while balancing personal and universal themes. The conversation dives into her early encounters with the music business, the pitfalls of naivety, and unexpected opportunities that shaped her career. Annahstasia's insights on vulnerability in creativity and the emotional power of music are truly captivating.
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First Realization Of A Voice
- Annahstasia realized she could sing at 14 when a talent show reaction surprised her.
- Bullying pushed her to try singing, starting with Whitney and then Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie'.
Dad's 'Write Twelve More' Challenge
- Her dad told her to write twelve more songs to be taken seriously.
- She wrote several but got discouraged when the later songs didn't match the first.
Learning From Nina And Bill
- She learned performance dynamics and presence from Nina Simone and economy from Bill Withers.
- Balancing theatrical presence with direct storytelling became a core of her songwriting.