Vancouver-raised singer-songwriter Molly Annelle recently talked to ai love music about her inspirations, her musical journey, and the release of her newest single “Dior”. At 18 years old, Molly relocated to Toronto and is armed with a mesmerizing voice that is well beyond her years and impossible to ignore. Thanks to a distinctive flair for bending language to fit the melody, the young musician is ready to take the world by storm — combining the essence of R&B jams, Bossa Nova bops, and Yé Yé girl pop that results in a tone all her own.
Find out what was it like to write and work on the song with Louise Burns and Parker Bossley. Also, find out what sound inspires “Dior” by reading more down below. While reading, listen to Molly Anelle’s newest single down below. Let me know what you think!
Please introduce yourself! What inspires you?
I am Molly Annelle; a Canadian singer/songwriter and producer from Vancouver. Creatively I am inspired by everything and anything that happens to pass my way, be it from nature, people, poetry, any nuance of language, emotion, human expression , and of course, I am constantly inspired by the wealth of all types of music; R&B, pop, hip hop, rap, jazz, world music that surrounds us.
How did you get into music? What has your journey looked like?
I have always been into music. I come from a very musical family. My father is a great piano player and sings in the same rock and roll band that he started with a friend when he was 12 years old.
My mother is a writer and my brother is a music aficionado. He has made some very deep musical research dives over the years and introduced me to all sorts of obscure stuff! My cousins in Cork, Ireland started a music collective, Hausu, a few years ago and are extremely active in the Irish music scene.
I started playing piano when I was three years old and wrote my first song when I was five. When I was nine, I wrote a three-piece harmony which was performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir. I sang in choir throughout my high school years.
When I was 10, I wrote my first EP, my first full album, Melody, when I was 12 and wrote/produced my first EP, Pick Me Ups, when I was 14. That got the attention of The Vancouver-based record label, 604 Records signed me in when I was 15. Since then, I have released a Christmas song, Winter Waves, and an album, Elevator Music, in February 2020.
What musical artists influence your sound the most?
I have always been a huge fan of Sabrina Claudio. I think Doja Cat’s latest album is absolutely awe-inspiring. I also love French artist Angèle. I am currently obsessed with 90s artists including Mariah Carey and Aaliyah.
As 2021 is winding down, what are things you look forward to in 2022? Any challenges?
I am looking forward to new beginnings. With every new year, there is a chance to make a fresh start. I am also excited to create and release all the music that I have brewing either in my head or stuff that is almost completed in the studio. There have been challenges with performing in the last 18 months. I love to sing, play with other musicians and prance around on the stage. Hopefully, I’ll have many more opportunities in the New Year as everything begins to, tentatively, open up around the world.
Now, let’s talk about your latest single ”Dior”. What is it about?
“Dior” is a fun song. It’s a fantastical romp through a day of extreme lavishness and ridiculous over-the-top behaviour. I think we all need a bit of escapism these days and hopefully, this song will take listeners on that journey.
What inspired you to write this track?
Louise Burns and I joined with our friend Parker Bossley to write this song. We went into the studio with no goal or objective in mind. When we started talking about our love of all things Mariah Carey-ish the germ of an idea began to take hold and we started riffing.
How was producing this song with Parker Bossley and Louise Burns? What did you enjoy working on the most: the lyrics, the music, the arrangement, or something else?
The three of us were honestly just started messing around and spouting as many “expensive” sounding words as we could. Very quickly we started to meld into a groove of fantasy writing in a 90s type scenario and just ran with it.
What types of sounds, instrumentation, melodies, or texture do you want to incorporate with this song?
This song features a rainbow of different synths, shimmery percussion, and hard-hitting drums. We wanted to give that swirly sound a spotlight, especially in the bridge. I also really love the heavy sub-bass and 808s, they bring me close to my hip hop inspiration. This song dives into our wildest fantasies of being rich and lavish, backed by an instrumental heavily inspired by the glittery pop and R&B hits of the early 2000s,
What do you want listeners to take away from music?
I want listeners to feel - period. Music is all about how you interpret it, I just write the songs but I don’t define how they will accompany a certain part of your life.
What’s next?
So much! Now that I’m located in Toronto, I’ve been meeting so many artists who have taught me so much and expanded my skills and taste!
