Exclusive: Interview with Anna Lynch

Words by Kate South

After her debut headline show at Band on the Wall, Kate South catches up with Anna Lynch about what’s next for the Manchester soul powerhouse.

With the rise of Olivia Dean, Celeste and Ezra Collective, it’s undeniable that soulful R&B is having a resurgence. Describing her sound as “Indie pop soul”, Anna Lynch is a powerfully emotive voice that is shining through the Manchester music scene. Citing influences from Amy Winehouse and Laura Marling, Anna has spent the past few years making a name for herself in the local live scene by gigging at some of Manchester’s most renowned venues, including the iconic Blues Kitchen where her live music career first  began. After honing her craft, the newcomer is stepping into her own as she unveils the empowering new track “Wake Up”.

With the rise of Olivia Dean, Celeste and Ezra Collective, it’s undeniable that soulful R&B is having a resurgence. Describing her sound as “Indie pop soul”, Anna Lynch is a powerfully emotive voice that is shining through the Manchester music scene. Citing influences from Amy Winehouse and Laura Marling, Anna has spent the past few years making a name for herself in the local live scene by gigging at some of Manchester’s most renowned venues, including the iconic Blues Kitchen, where her live music career first began. After honing her craft, the newcomer is stepping into her own as she unveils the empowering new track “Wake Up”.

This soulful single features Lych’s unique blend of jazz-infused soul pop. Here at Starfreak, we cannot wait to hear more. Thankfully, Anna Lynch has assured us there is more music on its way soon, and plenty of it. Whilst working as a prolific live performer, Lynch has been chipping away at a major body of original work in collaboration with Rhys Jiang and Gareth Jones. Fusing jazz instrumentation with upbeat pop melodies and smooth, honeyed vocals, “Wake Up” is the first in a series of singles to be unveiled in the lead-up to Anna’s debut EP. 

Joined by some of Manchester’s finest jazz and soul veterans, in September Lynch performed her debut headline show at Band on the Wall, to great acclaim. As Anna Lynch continues to consolidate her distinctive sound, anticipation for the project is quickly building. After her successful debut, Starfreak caught up with Anna Lynch about what she’s up to, her creative process and what we can expect from the rising star next.

You recently performed your first headline show at the historic Band on the Wall (congratulations!). How did it feel making your headline debut at such an iconic Manchester venue?

Yes! It genuinely was the best night of my life, I could not have asked for a better start to this chapter, the room was so packed out and ahh so special, I always knew I wanted it to be at Band on the Wall, I have played there over the years and it just felt right!

You’ve touched on your Instagram about how important this song is to you. Talk me through the inspiration for your lead single, “Wake Up.”

I guess this song was the start of this musical chapter for me, it was the first song I did with my producer Rhys Jiang and it feels really right that this song came out first, the song was about waking up to everything I already have and all that I am, waking up to constantly wanting more and searching for better and can I find a place of self compassion and acceptance, and I hope that the listener feels that. It came off the back of a really tough year, and I was still in the thick of it when I wrote Wake Up. She felt like my beacon of hope.

You’ve cited Amy Winehouse as a big musical influence. Which Amy Winehouse song is your favourite?

Eek, hardest question ever, I love so many. Amy’s voice and words have always spoken to me. I have so many favourites, so I will name a few. ‘Help Yourself’, ‘Just Friends’ and also ‘Between the Cheats’. But truly, I love them all, even the overplayed ones.

If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

The Beatles, I just feel like I can’t even imagine how special it would have been to be in a room with them guys, and to watch that process unfold and hear how a song with them would transpire would be crazy. I would also love to sit and write with Bob Dylan, can you imagine how cool that would be, haha.

What is your creative process – how does a song begin?

It almost always starts with my producer, they start playing something on keys and guitar and then melodies start to flow and we approach it like that, sometimes we do full eight hour sessions, write something then come back and realise the song isn’t what we want and we pivot it to suit our musical needs, but I truly have faith in the process now. I have to get past the ‘not as strong’ ideas to get to what I love.

You’ve described your sound as “indie pop soul.” Is there another genre you’d love to experiment with?

In short, yes, I have just landed on a sound I feel is truly me so I don’t want to rush finding new sounds, but I would love to explore more jazzy sounds like I have done previously, as well as heavier stuff, I just want to grow as an artist and I think being playful and creative is the route to that.

Music is often extremely personal. Do you always write from your point of view, or do you ever embody a ‘character’ through your songs?

I almost always write from my perspective, which feels like my most authentic expression, and I find the songs just flow so beautifully when it is my story; there is so much emotion behind it. However, I just started a song that is about something that happened to a friend and my sister, and I am really excited to explore writing from another place.

You have worked so hard on your music for the past few years. What advice would you give an artist starting out?

I honestly think firstly live your life, go and have experiences to write about, channel the beauty and the pain that is life. My other piece of advice is to take your time to figure out your sound, allow yourself to be messy with your lyrics, don’t block that beautiful creative stream and also just do it, find a producer and get started. It has been the best journey of my life.

After such a successful first single rollout, we can’t wait to hear your EP! When can fans expect more music, and what’s next for you?

Thank you so much. I am just so ready and excited!!! So I am sat on a lot of songs currently. The next single will be out late November, and you can expect a lot of releases from me as well as more shows, the train is running. I am also still writing as I do all of this, so lots of stuff is coming out. I would love to do a tour!

One last question… Are you a star or a freak?

Okay, hmm, let’s say star, manifesting the dream, eh.

Listen to “Wake Up” by Anna Lynch on Spotify and Apple Music!

Photos by @sophiegoater