The work of a cabaret artist will often be described in a variety of ways: elaborate, extravagant and even spectacular.
Though for punk-cabaret songstress Anya Anastasia, her upcoming performance for Umbrella: Winter City Sounds will be a showcase of the side to her extravagance many have never seen grace a stage.
Titled ‘Normal Songs’, Anya’s stripped-back performance stems from the songs she’s always written that never quite suited the cabaret shows she’s renowned for. “As long as I’ve written cabaret songs, I’ve always written other songs that don’t fit into that context.
“They’re more akin to folk or pop songs and I’ve never really had a focused outlet for that, so I’d sideline them or just write them for my own processes and therapy,” Anya explains.
After friends and colleagues continually praised her writing talents away from cabaret, Anya decided it was time to take her stripped-back songs to a stage. Her typical fancy lighting, big crowds and exuberant costumes will make way for the real reason she does what she does – the songwriting.
“[I’ve always thought] no one wants to hear it if it’s not wrapped in spectacle and over-the-top showbiz, but people love listening to music. It’s a human thing. So, that’s what I’m doing with this show – showcasing just the music, me as a songwriter and exploring my secret fascination with writing a pop song.”
Anya’s chosen the perfect location too; the intimate, downstairs room at Henry Austin to share her new, stripped-back set. “The room has got this almost conspiratorial vibe, like everyone in the room is in on a little secret or people bare their souls down there or confess ideas and feelings,” she laughs.
“It really has a beautiful, underground, intimate vibe and that’s a very special place to share songs in their more vulnerable form. A room, a girl, a voice, some ears; that’s what we’re stripping it back to.”
As for her title ‘Normal Songs’, don’t be fooled. Anya stakes her claim to never become ‘normal’. “It’s a funny word, something I’ve used as a personal joke because my songs have always been unconventional, not followed formulas, stuck to one-time signature, had a chorus that repeats or any of that.
“It’s kind of a joke, because what is a ‘normal’ song? What is a ‘normal’ anything? It’s more of a personal challenge to myself to stick to something that’s a bit more familiar.”
Anya Anastasia performs at Henrietta’s (downstairs at Henry Austin) in Adelaide 15 July. Free entry.
Anya also has a crowdfunding campaign to assist her paying expenses as part of her Edinburgh Fringe and UK tour later this month.
