Sasha Shemirani
To celebrate her upcoming album, AOL Music spoke to the chanteuse about her biggest musical influences, being a female in today's music industry and why she should be noticed as the new kid in town.
Who are your main influences? Where do you see yourself in five years?
My influences growing up were strong female singer-songwriters -- Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morissette, Janet Jackson -- Eminem was also a huge influence. Mainly, artists who packed a punch lyrically over bumpin' beats. Today I'm heavily influenced by European electro and the underground dance scene. In five years I hope to the first brown female Canadian president of America.
Do you feel like the 'Brand New Bitch' of pop music?
Yes. Yes, I do. It's really important to me to write my music so my fans can relate to me in a real way. I tried singing other peoples lyrics and I failed miserably. I'm not an interpreter, I'm a creator. It also gives me the luxury of playing with different genres. What links the record together is my voice and message. I'm not defined by pop, rock, hip-hop, electro or dance. I wanted the first single to be something that says "I'm here."
Since your 2009 hit 'Boom,' how has your sound matured? What is the driving influence behind your upcoming album?
I wrote my first record mostly on guitar in my hometown. It was an amazing learning experience, because I really dug in on the songwriting side and made a retro-sounding record completely isolated from what was going on in the world.
This record started when I moved to L.A. I was really inspired by what was going on here sonically and decided to make the record I've always wanted to make. I started working with DJs and producers and experimenting with how to put my vibe over those beats. During this time I went through a huge transition emotionally and professionally, leaving my label, my managers and my ex-boyfriend. I was shedding skin, taking control of my life and frankly, becoming a brand new bitch.
How does it feel to be a woman of Indian descent in pop music?
It's more difficult than being abnormally short but a less difficult than having limited mobility. Honestly, I don't really think about it. I grew up in Canada which is an extremely accepting environment compared to the States. I think most people think you're crazy if you're in the music industry period so I'm pretty sure being a brown girl from Canada in the music industry makes me all kindsa crazy!
Your song 'Sex-Ed' with Doctor Rosen Rosen is so catchy! How was working with the Doctor?
Thank you! It was so fun. We got our '80s on working in his home studio. We actually wrote the song for Sky Ferreira but ended up keeping it for his EP because she didn't want it.
Do you have any touring plans coming up?
Doing some spot dates in Ibiza, Las Vegas and Eastern Canada. Really excited about the show setup. It'll be DJs, drummers and dancers.
Tell us about your upcoming record -- what producers and artists did you choose to work with?
I worked with Jonas Jerberg, JOB, Michel Zitron, Swedish House Mafia and Benny Benassi. It genre-crashes sometimes, even in the middle of a song. It's definitely a pop record but I wrote everything, so it's very personal. Lyrically it's about sex, love, taking control of your life and owning who you are and who you want to become. There are also songs about murder, suicide and spirituality but it's all very tongue-in-cheek. You gotta hear it.
Watch Anjulie's Video for 'Brand New Bitch' (Explicit Content)
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