We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful ANI HAN. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with ANI below.

Hi ANI, thanks for joining us 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?

When I began my songwriting journey, I felt ill-equipped. I had a lot of questions like—how do you write a song? Do you start with lyrics first or melody first? How do you know if you have a good song? These questions prompted me to do what we all did before ChatGPT—a Google search. Through endless clicks and open tabs, I stumbled upon Coursera and enrolled in one too many free courses. It only took me a few days to realize I wouldn’t retain much if I didn’t put any skin in the game. My thought process was simple—if I’m going to learn how to write songs, I better learn from the best. This led me to Berklee Music, which led to taking courses through their online program and learning from some of the most qualified instructors in the industry. Under their guidance, I built the confidence to get to where I am today—confident in my voice as a songwriter and artist while staying open-handed and willing to walk through the doors that the craft takes me.

If I look back on my songwriting journey through a panoramic view, I can point to four constants that have been pivotal in learning the craft of songwriting (and any craft, really!).

The first is a coach, mentor, or instructor who has already walked the path and has a track record of success (i.e. they’ve done what you hope to do or has helped others get to where you want to go). Personally, this looked like taking courses through Berklee Online in conjunction with songwriting retreats and books.

The second is community. I have had countless instructors and mentors stress the importance of community and networking over the years but never took it seriously because, if I’m being honest, it took more time and intentionality than I wanted. It wasn’t until this past year that I came to realize the necessity of community, especially when I felt creatively depleted and started getting overly critical of my work. Surrounding myself with people who bring the best out of me has been essential in the continual movement of my creative process.

The third is consistency. Consistency in doing the work, consistency in showing up. I may be over-simplifying, but this has been huge for me—I’ll only learn how to write songs if I consistently show up and do the work. No one is going to do the work for me.

The last is curiosity. Choosing to approach songwriting with a sense of wonder and curiosity has kept me in constant admiration of the craft, which continues to fuel the creation cycle.

ANI, 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?

Growing up, I always wanted to do things right—to excel, do things well, and be the best at whatever it was that I was doing. I hesitated to do a task if someone didn’t demonstrate it first because I was scared to fail. (Any other perfectionists in the house?!) I was trained as a classical violinist and went to college for it, but never saw myself pursuing classical violin as a career option (partly because I had this wild dream to write and record my own songs). I loved to sing and write for as long as I can remember, but was always consumed by how others perceived me. It wasn’t until a few years after graduating from university that I attempted to marry my love for writing and music. I came to a point where, as Tony Robbins would say, the pain of staying the same [became] greater than the pain of change; I decided to give songwriting the time it deserved.

I had the privilege to study songwriting under incredible instructors and collaborate with talented musicians and writers from the beginning. About a year into songwriting, I started to write custom songs for special occasions (think anniversaries, celebrations of life, and milestones) through online platforms like Songlorious and Songfinch. This opportunity helped me get my reps while also allowing me to create some beautiful songs with the gift givers. Writing these songs were particularly rewarding because I received feedback on how the song positively impacted the recipients and gift givers. Writing these songs for others helped me realize why I do what I do—to connect with others, so that they feel seen and heard.

When I first started writing, I had a hard time being honest. I knew I wanted to be vulnerable, but always felt I had to filter my thoughts to make them digestible for my friends and family. I was in a constant state of image management that kept me from growing as a writer and connecting with others on a deeper level. It has taken years (and a lot of therapy) for me to be unapologetic for who I am and the thoughts that run through my head. I’m finally at a place where I’m okay with having my inner critic sit outside the writing room.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I say I write and create so that people feel seen and heard. The most fascinating thing is that I’ve found most people feel most seen and heard when I write for myself—to first allow myself to be seen and heard. It’s easy to feel like we’re alone on our respective journeys in the world we live in today. I believe music and words fill that gap and has the ability to remind us that we’re not alone. I write intuitively, which asks me to be honest with myself and my craft. I think being in this state of vulnerability brings us closer to each other–because at the end of the day, we’re all human. I started my songwriting journey with this hope—that at least one person feels seen—and that will continue to be my hope and goal for everything I create.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is the feeling of having completed a work, which in my case is a song. There’s nothing that makes me feel quite as fulfilled and ecstatic than than having written a song. It’s a similar feeling that someone might get after a demanding workout or coming home to a hot home-cooked meal by mom after a long work day. It’s the greatest feeling, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anihanofficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anihanofficial

Image Credits
Kenzie Maroney