OurStage

Summary: Trawling the walls of "macobook" (Facebook) this week I stumbled upon the page of a singer/songwriter/dancer from Trinidad and Tobago going by the name of Annya Li. Curiosity led me to her MySpace page where she currently has two genre bending tracks, One Night and Crazy Lady, the latter my personal favorite. Body Copy: Annya Li will be showcasing all her newly recorded music live at the Zen Nightclub on 16 December 2008 in Port of Spain Trinidad. Trinibeat.com caught up with her to find out what makes “the face of a dream pursued tick”. Q: Annya, your Facebook Fans and those who know you know your like, (quoting from your profile) “Stayin outta trouble.... lol singing, modelling, dancing, prancing, a whole circus act if you like!” so tell me who is Annya Li? A: Annya Li essentially is a clown (that would be my mom’s answer) I love the performing arts and have a soft spot for anyone who has the drive and desire to pursue a career in the field. I am a sucker for love and all the romantic notions that accompany it, I am an emotional person and I guess its is a disposition of most artists; {I’ve heard it’s what gives us great songwriting content…lol…} I am extremely playful, impatient and at times a worry wart… I am passionate about seeking change in Trinidad concerning poverty and more importantly the education of sooo many young people who are not afforded the opportunity to go after their dreams especially if that dream is music. Every so often I discover new things about me, that are inevitable as this experience in the ‘journey of life’ continues, so it’s safe to say I have a long way to go yet, in fully defining who I am…. Q: Your show is titled "The Beginning". What does The Beginning mean to Annya? Is this show a defining moment as your move forward as a singer/songwriter? A: This show is definitely a defining moment in my life not only as a singer/ songwriter but also as someone who has gone through a bit of adversity to achieve my dream. Music has been prevalent in my life since I was very young but the belief and faith in myself and my talent and in the heavenly father to see me through, has certainly been marked in my mind as ‘a new dawn’ so to speak; the first steps to taking risks and big chances, with all the fear, excitement and anxiety that goes along with taking this leap. I have no doubt encountered small stumbling blocks but the need to do music is more urgent than the zig zags along the way. Q: Jonathan Levant "the guy behind your keyzzz" is also coming to Trinidad for show. You describe him as “the man on the keys is such a riot”. (Smiling). What can we expect from the Jonathan, Annya combination? Jo…Nathan is a talented performer, not only is he a pianist but also a vocalist, a producer and he can do a lil something on the drums as well. I like working with him because of his work ethic and the fact that he studies his craft so well. I have yet to see him angry or upset, he always brings a positive vibe to every rehearsal and he knows how to have fun, actually all of the musicians that I am working with do… His family is West Indian and every so often he’ll start dancing to some Soca tune, {mostly Machel} and mocking me with a completely UNIDENTIFIABLE Trini accent. Q: Who else is performing with you on the night? A: The rest of the team coming to Trinidad includes some amazing young talent; Mingus Murray is on the electric guitars; Bart Evins is the resident Bass man… he insists on wearing some dark Night Rider shades to rehearsals… David Aaron is on drums and acoustic guitar and my vocalists and dancers are Tanya Allen and Daisha Graf. Most members of the band work full time on their music and have such drive and respect for their individual art that I can’t help but adopt the same approach to my craft. B Wils is opening up the night for me along with Daisha Graf. B Wils is another born and bred Trinidad artist; his forte is rap. His rhymes are so skillfully worded and are in no way lacking in content and depth. I love that he has a message in every piece of material that he puts out. Q: One of your favorite quotes is "Your destiny is what you make it; Your purpose is what you say it is". What's your destiny and purpose as a singer/songwriter? A: I think first I need to say…I needed to embrace being someone with an unconventional career dream. I think there were too many doubts in my mind that this was an unrealistic goal and I always thought: ‘music is going to be your hobby, you have bills to pay, you’re growing up, you need to focus on building a stable life’ which is still true but I also needed to listen to my heart. As a singer/songwriter, my destiny is to make timeless music that moves the soul. I remember songs that marked different points in my life growing up, songs that are still around today and I have always said I want to be the kind of artist that is current 20 years from now as I am today. Just think about Bob Marley’s ‘No woman no cry’ or Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’ or even at home with Ras Shorty I’s ‘Watch out my children’. I want to write music that is empowering and real or even if the stories are fictitious, the meanings can be a catalyst for someone going through a particular situation. I want to be apart of the fraternity of musicians that finds and help create new music; There is so much synergy in music right now, the lines that separate the genres are blurring so much, and it’s a great thing because it is the one platform that keeps bringing people of different backgrounds together. I will be an artist that works hard and plays hard and will always remember where I come from and will put family and home first. Q: Many singer/song writers have had their start from a very tender age. When did the dream all begin for you? A: I started singing at the age of 5. The first time I took the stage was at my nursery school. I was too short to be seen by all the parents and children that my teacher at the time, put me on a stool to sing…My mom said she was sitting on the edge of her seat, not so much enthralled by the notes that I was bellowing but by the fact that she thought …’any minute now my child is going to fall of this piece of bench these people put her on’ Q: Modeling was a part of your life for some years which saw you feature in music videos for major recording artist. Who are some of the artist videos you have been featured in? A: I have been featured in music videos for Eric Benet, LL Cool J and Jennifer Lopez and Robin Thicke… My parents screened a lot of the work I took on as a model especially because I ventured into that industry at the age of fifteen and I was still at school and that helped frame my approach to the field. Modeling definitely opened up avenues for me within the entertainment industry through networking and more so helped me become more comfortable in my own skin… But I must say that went hand in hand with guidance from my then manager and both of my parents. Q: You were absent from the music scene for a number of years while pursuing academics. This gave you the opportunity to explore the world of dance. How has this shaped you as an all round performer? A: Dancing brought to life for me the understanding that a ‘performer is an actor/actress’. Embracing the stage and your audience means being aware of the message that you want them to receive. People feed off of the energy that you give to them and for a dancer and performer that saying has never been truer. Whether that energy is a feel good time, sadness, anger or pure bliss, you need to become who your character is at that point and believe it and project it. Dancing allowed to me to see performance as different elements coming together to create one united picture or story if you like and it forced me to pay more attention to the words that I was singing Q: What or who influences your music? (Don’t say Beyonce) A: lol… no she is a great artist but I was more influenced by people that were in the game a bit before her…like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Patti Labelle, Luther Vandross, Selena, Enya, Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Marley, and more recently Pink, Eve, Alicia Keys, Aaliyah and Evanescence. Q: Every artiste has a "want to work with wish list". Who's on your wish list? A: Ooohh I would love to work with: Pink Eve Danjahandz M.I.A Michael Jackson Jay Z Damien Marley Linda Perry Alicia Keys And soooo many more….. Especially artists from Trinidad and Tobago Q: What's next for Annya? A: My aim at this point is to get the music in the hands of the public, see what they think about it; how they receive it and get it circulated. This is the beginning of a lot of work, in preparation for my single to be released soon and then the album, {fingers crossed early next year}. I will be traveling doing shows like the upcoming one in Zen, (Trinidad) in various venues in different cities and countries to get people to listen to the music and vibe with it. I have a lot of plans as an artist but I am taking it one step at a time and working to achieve each goal little by little. Q: Annya, any final words for your fans in Trinidad and Tobago? A: Ohhh definitely.. My heart belongs to Trinidad and Tobago and this is without a doubt with whom I wanted to share my music first. The music genre as I have come to call it is world music; every song and piece of material tells a story of who we are as a people and whom I am. I thank everyone so far who have supported me and who continue to support me and I pray that you come to the show expecting to be entertained and hope that each person brings 40 more with them..lol I am amazed everyday at the new people that join the fan page and leave such great positive comments, the encouragement and strength that your words give is breath taking and soo heart felt. Once again..come to the SHOW….. Please… To find out more about Trinidadian born singer Annya Li, visit her official website at http://www.annyali.com/ Annya Li MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/annyali Become a fan of Annya Li on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annya-Li/36057800877

Who: Annya Li Born In: Trinidad & Tobago | Famous In: Trinidad & Tobago You’ve Seen Her Face Before: Trinidad Fashion Week, Eric Benet’s “Love Don’t Love Me” Video, Pharrell & Robin Thicke “Wanna Love You Girl” Video, World Cup Germany, Cover of Belle Magazine Where You Haven’t Seen Her: Hitting people on planes with pillows, wearing mismatched socks, being a book worm and a songwriter Interviewed by Sickamore I’m famous for kicking ass on Stage. If you haven’t seen me before, talk to me. I am sure we can make something happen. I’m also famous for NOT doing stupid shit. Like disrespecting myself to get ahead in the music, modeling or life in general. Famous in my family too. But that’s cause my name is the most frequent to called for chores In my iPod: Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, Jazmine Sullivan, Evanescence, Pink (she is a bad ass!), Kes The Band (Trinidad) and some Annya Li in there too. Ahem, that would be me. Haha My family calls me Annie I feel prettiest on stage singing. It’s the most vulnerable and passionate but honest and liberating place to be. It beats seeing myself when I wake up in the morning If I could travel one place, I’d pick Egypt. The place is rich with so much history and culture 5 things I need to travel: iPod, laptop, a James Patterson book, a huge sweater and a pillow to whack people while they pass in the isle I was a complete nerd and klutz in school My favorite sneakers are Chinese Laundry I am a big cartoon and Disney fanatic! My idol is my Dad. He shows so much strength of character. Dad takes the protect and nurture role very seriously. I’m especially grateful in a time where good dads are rare to find If I could be someone else for a day, I’d be Clive Davis…then I would sign me Learn more behind Annya’s famous face @ Myspace.com/AnnyaLi

TRINIDAD-BORN singer, songwriter and dancer Annya Li will be showcasing her newly recorded music live at the Zen Nightclub on December 16. Best known for her genre bending tracks “One Night” and “Crazy Lady”, the Brooklyn-based artiste will be featured in a concert performance titled “The Beginning” in the club’s regular live artiste’s showcase. She will be backed by her live band with Jonathan Levant on keyboards, Mingus Murray on electric guitar, Bart Evins on the bass, David Aaron on drums and acoustic guitar and back-up singers and dancers Tanya Allen and Daisha Graf. B Wils will be the opening act along with Daisha Graf. B Wils is also a born and bred Trinidad artiste whose forte is rap. Speaking about her music in a recent interview, Annya Li said: “As a singer/songwriter, my destiny is to make timeless music that moves the soul. I remember songs that marked different points in my life growing up, songs that are still around today and I have always said I want to be the kind of artiste that is current 20 years from now as I am today. “Just think about Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman No Cry or Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’, or even at home with Ras Shorty I’s ‘Watch Out My Children’. “I want to write music that is empowering and real or even if the stories are fictitious, the meanings can be a catalyst for someone going through a particular situation. I want to be a part of the fraternity of musicians that finds and helps create new music.” Annya Li, who started singing at the age of five, has been featured in music videos for major recording artistes including Eric Benet, LL Cool J and Jennifer Lopez and Robin Thicke. She counts among the major musical influences in her life Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Patti Labelle, Luther Vandross, Selena, Enya, Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Marley, and more recently Pink, Eve, Alicia Keys, Aaliyah and Evanescence. Annya Li said she is looking forward to her performance in TT: “My heart belongs to Trinidad and Tobago and this is without a doubt with whom I wanted to share my music first. “The music genre as I have come to call it is world music; every song and piece of material tells a story of who we are as a people and who I am.”

You close your eyes and the smooth rhythm slowly engulfs you, the infectious tone of an angelic voice carries you away and you find yourself captivated by the music. The voice of this singer echoes a refreshing blend of genre bending combinations and the fusion of jazz, rock, R&B and hip hop has the eager listener yearning for more. Annya- Li is the golden voice behind this magical mixture of music. The recording artists début album appropriately titled “Look Closer” invites audiences to take the musical journey with her as she explores her various life experiences as an artist. The talented singer/songwriter started production on this album in July 2008 and has completed nine tracks to date. Caribbean Belle had the opportunity to speak with this vivacious entertainer while she was in Trinidad completing work on her much anticipated album. With a personality bigger than life Annya-Li is the quintessential artist as she revealed her other talents include dancing Keen on developing her obvious vocal abilities Annya-Li is being trained by Craig Derry one of the best vocal coaches in the entertainment industry. Derry has worked with such artist as Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys to name a few. Annya-Li current single “Stalker” has gained popularity both locally and internationally and has catapulted the singer further into the spot light. The song is a collaboration with B.Wills has that intoxicating effect which leaves the listener subconsciously humming the chorus after hearing it for the first time. Despite her many professional accomplishments and the glowing reviews her current tracks are receiving along with its heavy rotation on many popular stations, the petite singer is the epitome of humility. A welcoming smile and inviting laugh dispels any notions that this native has strayed away from her Trinidadian heritage. She is a clear patriot and with a quick wave of the hand brushed aside any misconceptions about her being a foreign based artist. She explained that her decision to name her début “Look Closer” was a result of her wanting the world to take a closer look at the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and see how many gifted people there are, as well as the various types of music the country is blessed with. As the soulful, refreshing tracks of Annya-Li’s album softly played in the background the gleam in the signer’s eyes was evident. She blushed and let out a girlish giggle as she recalled her first performance at age 5. “It was at Kiddie Care Couva where I sang for my nursery school graduation” the singer explained. Although singing and music was always her burning passion Annya- Li’s initially took the conventional route of pursing her degree at the University of Hortfordshire in the United Kingdom and successfully graduated in 2006. She subsequently settled into a mainstream job at a marketing agency as an Account Executive and continued her pursuit of advancing her singing career at night. Rekindling this bond she had with music was inevitable and in 2006 when presented with an opportunity to make music her profession the decision was obvious. Annya- Li said: “My musical influences are Steve Wonder for his unique melodies, Alicia Keys for her passion in her live performances.” The impact these iconic entertainers have on the quality of Annya-Li’s musical production is evident. Her track titled “Tryst” is a powerful message on relationships and clear indication of the depth of the singer’s songwriting capability. Having performed twice in New York, in 2008 and coming off of her dynamic show at the Zen night club in Port of Spain Trinidad, Annya Li is set to be a rising star. “I want my music to be lasting and timeless” she stated as she expressed her desire to one day work with Kees, Nadia Batson, Machael Montano and Maximus Dan, She said these artist embody an element present in her own work of change and being positive qualities which she admires. Forever, the optimist the entertainer who is presently an independent artist encouraged emerging performers to cling to their dreams and do not be afraid of the fact it may be unconventional. Her parting words echoing and age old saying of “work extremely hard to achieve what you want”