Exposed Vocals Interviews Anntwan

Born and raised in North Carolina, Anntwan grew up with tons of musical influences. He began singing at 4 and started playing piano soon after, by ear. His mother was a musician and singer at their family church, as well as singing and playing with the local R&B/Soul group “The Hesitations”, which consisted of all family members. His mother would have him sitting beside her during church services while she would play and sing, which is where his ear developed. “The Hesitations” would eventually record several records locally and opened for R&B superstars Staci Lattisaw and Tony Terry while touring in North Carolina. Anntwan would spend many nights in the studio with the group, at a very young age, absorbing and wanting to be a part. Anntwan’s grandmother, a professional Jazz singer, performed in many night clubs throughout the Washington, DC area, and was signed to Cap City Records, owned by Florence Greenberg who had spun Dionne Warwick’s career. Anntwan’s grandfather was a local legend who played guitar and piano, and had singing styles like Sam Cooke. His grandfather would also have the opportunity to sing with the iconic gospel group, The Mighty Clouds of Joy. Anntwan was in multiple singing groups and choirs throughout high school and college, but after realizing that he wanted to entertain professionally, he decided to go solo. After years of writing and keeping it all hidden, he was ready to finally share his gift with the world. Anntwan feels that he should continue with the family musical legacy and take it a step further.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 Anntwan: I grew up in a very small town in North Carolina…Warsaw, born and raised. Warsaw consists of about 3,000 people…very country. Lots of farm life I experienced growing up there, and a few not so great neighborhoods…but very humbling. Not much to do, but we made the most of what we had. Overall, I loved my hometown…very warm and “homey” at times. Some of the best memories of my life are there.

Living in Warsaw, all we had was dreams. I always had music surrounding me because of my mom being a church musician/singer, but never thought that it could be anything I would be able to pursue professionally or as a career. It just didn’t seem possible. Although I tried to fight it for years and find other career paths, it always led back to my heart, music.

 Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 Anntwan: “Anntwan” is my birth name. Funny but true story…my name was actually misspelled on my birth certificate with the 2 “N’s”, but my mom figured that we should just keep it that way because it’s different and unique. Seems to be working in my favor! I never liked my name growing up, but it has grown on me over the years and and I decided to use the name my mother gave me as my stage name! 🙂

 Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 Anntwan: I think online music sharing can be beneficial. You never know who’s going to get their hands on your record or whose ear it will catch. I have given away free music for years now, and I’m considering my current single, #Used2B, to be as well…at some point. However, I believe in order for the music industry to gain more of its momentum back, I think it’s important to have quality work put out there and have your peers and fans invest in that quality. A lot of hard work, time and funds go into releasing this music. Not only that, we are putting ourselves out there in a vulnerable way by sharing our stories through this art form.

 Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

 Anntwan: To keep it pretty simple, stay persistent with your craft, have quality work to show, and be selective with the offers being sent your way.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 Anntwan: All of my songwriting inspiration comes from life experiences…whether it’s my own or someone that I know, but mostly my own. I’ve been writing since I was 11 years old, and I’ve seen a lot of things, so I have plenty to share (laughs). I don’t really have a structured process…things just kind of come to me. Oddly enough, it mostly happens in my sleep. So I have to get up and write the lyric down before I forget it…a lot of sleepless nights!

 Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 Anntwan: I mostly use Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/anntwan), YouTube (www.YouTube.com/anntwan2002), and Reverbnation to upload my music. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr I use to share the work amongst my other peers, friends and family. My current single, #Used2B is available now for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play Store, Shazam and many others.

 Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 Anntwan: That’s pretty easy to answer. I would definitely record my dream album, no hesitation. But first, finish paying those good old student loans! (laughs)

 Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 Anntwan: The constant networking with the RIGHT people. So many people who claim that they’re interested in what you’re doing, but are completely wasting your time. When you come across the right people, the magic will happen. Unfortunately you do have to test the waters, but don’t waste too much of your time with those who don’t take action. Social media does play a huge role in my promoting, and doing my research on the many music sites that has reached out to me, prior to submitting my work to them.

 Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 Anntwan: Currently I’m looking to get back into acting…checking out some auditions, as well as modeling, hopefully for some great campaigns or possibly print ads.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Anntwan: I would be a Music Therapist or a High School Band Director. Music will always and forever have a huge part in what I decide to with my career.

 Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 Anntwan: Um, its pretty challenging to say the least (laughs). Working multiple jobs, trying to stay fit and healthy…I’ve definitely grown to a place where I believe that anything is possible, ANYTHING…as long as you believe. Faith without works is dead.

 Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Anntwan: More music…my 2nd single! Looking to do more shows and live performances of my original work, as well as some acting and modeling gigs. But for now, I’ll be promoting my single, #Used2B for a while. 🙂