SOUNDCAMP SPOTLIGHT: ANAMELIA

Soundcamp is a 12 week programme that gives up and coming artists the opportunity to develop their performance and music business skills, delivered in partnership with Youth Music. The Soundcamp Spotlight series is a feature that aims to shine the light on Soundcamp artists and share their story with our audience.

Taking the reins for this instalment is Anamelia…

Please could you introduce yourself? 

Hey yo, my name is Anamelia aka Ana*meh*lia aka Anamelly aka The Polecunian.

When did your musical journey start?  

I was very very young when I first started singing and performing, I’m talking 3/4 years of age. My first ever award diploma for singing and performing dates back to when I was 3 years old.

How would you best describe your production and mixing style?

Production I would say is quite holistic. I much prefer producing in a way where I’m directing someone who’s waaaaay more skilled than me on the sound production side of things and engineering things. I’m quite techy, but making beats isn’t really my preferred way of working as I’m very easily distracted. I can’t seem to sit in front of a computer screen for too long. I’m more of throw ideas in the air type of person and compose and produce through directing sound producers.

You were part of the Soundcamp cohort back in 2019, what were someof your highlights?

Definitely performing at Night & Day, probably having Jenna G as my mentor too, & mostly the confidence I have gained in my own art. Seeing again how different every single artist was and how there were almost no right or wrong answers with music or art. Just fully immersing myself in that particular moment. Soundcamp was probably the first time I had a chance to finish some of my beats and I actually showed them to a room full of people.

Last year, you were recognised by VICE in an article titled: ‘The UK Is Overlooking Its Homegrown Polish Rappers.’ You speak about being a Polish rapper in the UK and the challenges you have faced. What are some of these challenges? How do you think the UK could change, or progress, to support artists like yourself. 

I think Polish people, we’re still very much a minority group and I guess we’re still portrayed in our stereotypes. TV shows and programmes very much put us in these boxes where actors are builders or cleaners but there are sooooo many successful business owners or creatives in this country. There’s a whole underground Hip Hop scene of Poles in Manchester, I presume there’s probably one in London, too. I know there’s one in Edinburgh, Peterborough and Brum. This just makes me wonder why these artists never reach the mainstream, or access developmental projects or funding. This is a big topic to break down, I have done some research, but with a lot of this I might be wrong as from my observation so far, I have a feeling there might be people out there who don’t even want to identify as Polish artists (for various reasons) and hence why I haven’t found them – but this is definitely ongoing research that I’m actually looking into as part of my masters right now.

BUT, as per myself, I have a lot of support around me and I think people need to stop being dismissive of how much of expertise I have, and perhaps consciously give someone like myself – a foreign woman – a chance to speak up, showcase music and recognise my ideas and projects as worthy, by giving me help in areas that I might be struggling with. I guess we’re new to this country, or at least I can speak for myself.

This industry is EXTREMELY competitive, I’d even say that it is one of the hardest industries in the world and it is always easier and smoother when you know the right people. I think as a Polish community, we’re still building our contacts database within the British society. I’m not here to play victim, these are just my observations. I’m here to develop and build my community up, if they’re unaware of these projects around the city, I shout about them, I help people with marketing. I basically try to utilise my skills and knowledge to help people, and that’s why I’m a mentor at a University I guess.

You took part in HERchester in 2021 – what made you decide to get involved?

I wanted to develop my rap skills, I always rapped or used melodic rap techniques but never called myself a rapper. That was definitely a moment for me when something flipped and I realised that I’m a full rounded artist, which means – if I wanna do a rap track, I can do that as that’s my art and that’s my expression for that particular moment & I would very much encourage everyone to try that mindset – just be free and don’t allow ‘society’ or the industry to put you in boxes.

What are you hoping your next steps will be? 

I’m constantly working on things but I guess it is fair for me to announce that I have started a business, in partnership with someone. We’re doing events, we have a bookings system/agency thing going on & we actually have a recording studio/band rehearsal space out for hire in town. It’s been pretty much word of mouth at the moment. But this is definitely another example of how a bit of funding from the Arts Council has now gone a loooooong way for me. They gave me a couple of grand during Covid to build a home studio, and with my mate, we built acoustic panels from scratch – ordered wood, and specific absorbent material, not gonna go into all the ingredients, but I’m quite proactive and resourceful – knowing that I didn’t have enough budget to buy panels, we purchased the materials and did them ourselves. We measured the whole room to get specific acoustics to know how many panels we needed and in what measurement to get the right sound with advice from some sound engineering pros. I mean, I don’t actually like math but we fully pulled it off. I mention this to give an example of how a bit of funding can go a long way for an artist like myself or other upcoming/emerging artists

Obviously, I’m constantly making music. I’ve just been to Spain last month to film, and Poland last weekend to perform. I’m doing okay. I’m in London every few weeks working on something too, but generally, I’m performing in the Northern Quarter every week, so that’s where Manchester can catch me. As per new music, I pretty much have featured releases every month. Solo stuff is currently in the works. 

Anything upcoming that you would like to shout out?

Come see me perform – at Wilson’s Social 8 -11pm every Thursday. We’re also gonna be starting themed dance events like Salsa, Disco or Funk and Soul night with a full band on a Friday, so keep a lookout for these on my socials & hopefully see you there 🙂 

What was the last event you went to? 

Probably the ones I play, as I perform 2/3 times a week I have very little free time in the evenings but boy, I do have a need to go to see someone soon! H.E.R is coming to Manchester so I’m hoping to get tickets and Tyler the Creator is playing at Parklife so I’m gonna try to hustle some tickets too.

Are there any local artists/musicians/collectives that you would like to shout out?

Yes! My Polish peeps – PPZ and the Slum Dog Crew. My favourite people Guacamaya Latin band who I’ve had the pleasure of working with recently.

And finally… What’s one thing that’s happened recently that’s made you smile?

I have moved into my own flat, as in, this is the first time in my life where I’m living entirely on my own and I’m LOOOOVING it!