Ani jan is Part of Seattle's Heartbeat
Up-and-coming musician Ani jan discusses her debut album "Heartbeat of the City," her Armenian roots, trip-hop, and the meaning behind "seeking the wound."
Ani jan is an up-and-coming musician and poet who exists in a liminal space. An Armenian immigrant who relocated to the States as a teen, Ani jan has been defining the meaning of Heartbeat of the City, through a thoughtful and emotional album that explores lineage, heartbreak, and the inner self.
A multi-hyphenate artist, Ani jan fuses poetry, Middle Eastern, grunge, and trip-hop notes to craft something special. Citing inspirations such as LAMB, Massive Attack, Tricky, Portishead, and more, Ani jan is finding her place in the new trip-hop zeitgeist.
In our discussion, Ani jan informs me of the meaning behind her name, lists her numerous rich musical influences (including local peer inspirations), gives her thoughts on the state of the current Seattle music scene, and details the experiences that led to creating Heartbeat of the City.
Ani's response to my question on how other people can find their own "Heartbeat of the City":
I think really sitting down with yourself and seeking the wound. I think most people try to turn that part off of themselves, not delve into their deepest wounds, but kind of avoid those areas, very gingerly sidestep their biggest wounds.
I feel like it's important at some point to delve into those things and reframe them and gain power again. And sometimes that means going back into the situation and getting angry when you weren't allowed to the first time, or getting sad for yourself and really feeling out those emotions. I think that's part of finding the Heartbeat of the City. I think everybody's Heartbeat of the City is a little different.
But one thing that is true for all of us is that we're all here. We're physical, whatever mental state we're in, whatever emotional state we're in, as long as you're still physically alive, still physically breathing, hope is not lost. It's like as long as your heart is beating, hope is not lost. If that's literally the only music left, there is still a heartbeat.
For more information about Ani jan, visit newfairyorder.com. She is also on Instagram.
Listen to the full interview below (at the 30-minute mark).
