We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anastasia Hera. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anastasia below.
Anastasia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I am still learning my craft – writing- by reading and listening. Specifically with music and songwriting, I began by listening repeatedly to songs that resonated with me, transcribing the lyrics and identifying the song structure. It’s important to be efficient and creative with wording, to understand the power of repetition and pauses. I’ve also found it helpful to focus on writing like I speak, which lends an authenticity to my work.
There is no shortcut to good writing, nor should there be any obstacles if one wants to do it well; it should be a lifelong pursuit. For me, I’m happy to spend my life aiming to write the perfect song.
Anastasia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am first and foremost a Rap Artist. I find so much joy and satisfaction in building ideas and sketching scenarios with my words, setting poetry to a beat, and delivering it either on stage or in the recording booth. My passion and talent for rap has enabled me to discover other opportunities and creative outlets.
Several years ago I started my own non-profit foundation, CAKE (Creativity, Abundance, Knowledge, Elevation) to empower women and girls through music, because there is not only art what I create, but fostering a positive creative environment for others is a work of art in itself.
I’ve recently launched HERA Tropical Rum, my own adult beverage. As with everything I produce, this rum is a work of art. Marketing the drink has become my new project, crafting songs and visuals that reflect the breezy vibe of the brand.
All of these branches work together to forward my fundamental message: art is life, and life is art.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Throughout history and across cultures, there has always existed a creative class. Artists who interpret and reflect on the human experience through their medium of choice. Visual artists, instrumentalists, writers, dancers, are all contributors to our lived experience.
I think society can and should recognize those great contributions by helping to ensure that artists can live comfortably while creating. Ireland, for example, offers an “Artists’ Exemption,” which exempts income earned from sale of artistic works from federal taxes. Our society should take note of these types of initiatives.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
It might be difficult for non-creatives to understand the delicate balance working/performing artists are forced to maintain at this moment in time.
Any creative will tell you that their artistic output is deeply personal to them. In painting a work for the world, the artist infuses pieces of herself into the colors, the canvas, the very strokes. These days, it is not enough for the artist to merely create the piece. The artist must now market the piece and market themselves, which can be difficult for sensitive personalities. Feedback and reaction can be immediate and abrasive, and the artist is often challenged to push on even when feeling vulnerable.
With enough experience and time, even sensitive artistic types can develop a system of creation, performance, and promotion which works for them. But it can be quite the task.
Contact Info:
- Website: anastasiahera.com
- Instagram: anastasia_hera_
- Facebook: Anastasia Hera
- Twitter: anastasia_hera
- Youtube: Anastasia_fka
Image Credits
Cam Boldon Chisum Pierce Michael “Blue” Smith