Have you ever heard of the bands Short Fictions, Shin Guard, Scratchy Blanket, and Coma Regalia? Do you like screamo bands? Do you like the Pittsburgh Penguins?! I am honored to have gotten the chance to interview one of my favorite Pittsburgh bands Annakarina. Annakarina was a Pittsburgh based screamo band between 2010 and 2015, brought back to life now in 2020. After five years of silence from the super group pursuing other musical projects, Chloe June brings us their newest song We Are Passing, which is about Chloe’s experience coming out as trans. This song is so fucking good. It is the perfect epitome of a “roller-coaster” of a song, that just takes you on a ride going up and down, always moving. I got a chance to do a quick little interview with Chloe! Check it out below & stream:

- Annakarina hasn’t released music in 5 years, right? Tell us, where have you been!

• I've been busy with other projects! I have another band right now, Scratchy Blanket, who released a full length last year. I also recently started playing with Short Fictions. First and only show I've played with them is the Audiotree session. I've stayed busy!

- Where does the band name come from?

• Anna Karina was a French actress from like 60s and 70s. I just thought it would make a cool band name if you bunched it all together. However, there was already a screamo band named The Death Of Anna Karina but I didn't know about them at the time!

- What bands/artists are the bands' biggest inspirations for writing?

• There are two big influences for this EP: an ambient screamo band called Suffocate For Fuck Sake. They just write gorgeous music. And, no joke, Phoebe Bridgers. Her songs might not have had a direct influence the EP but that vibe on Punisher and that whole heartbreaking thing she does is one of the things that made me want to write this EP.

- What is the writing process like for this band now in comparison to it's older member lineup?

• The songs have always started with me writing it in full, including guitar parts & drum feel, then introducing it to the band members and letting them inject their own personality into it. This EP is no different except these songs were all done completely online. We never set foot in a room together. I wrote these songs then sent a demo to each member and they wrote their parts and sent them back to me. After, I'd sort of tweak what I'm doing on guitar to help everyone's individual parts mesh better. The last step was lyrics and vocals! I think it was a really cool way to do these songs because I didn't influence what they did at all, I just let them do their thing. They're all such good musicians with their own projects, me giving them direction would likely just make it worse haha.

- We Are Passing is such a beautiful, simple, and powerful name for this single you just put out. Not to mention, I love the song. Can you tell us what the song encompasses and what it is about?

• Thank you! The song is all about trans feelings. It’s almost like a tour through the last few years of my life in regards to being trans. I talk about how hard it is to be closeted, then how scary it is to come out, and finally the feeling of relief that I got from coming out. The names comes from a line that Halsey says in their spoken part in the song. I thought it really fit the spirit of the song which is about passing through different stages of the coming out process.

-Have you noticed any differences playing music and/or shows nowadays in comparison to before you came out?

• Most of the shows I play are to friendly crowds of people I know and have known for a long time, even before transitioning. The biggest differences I see is from how I'm treated by some bands that are touring through who don't already know me. Had one guy, after I said I was in one of the bands playing that night, look me up and down and say "and you're obviously the bass player." Cringe. And honestly, I haven't toured since coming out and I'm a little nervous to do that. Might be fine though, right?

~ Are there any particular challenges you're facing now marketing yourself or utilizing social media after coming out?

• Nothing really sticks out. But also, Ive always just struggled knowing how to properly market myself anyway so maybe all the struggles just sort of blend together!

- Do you have any advice for any young trans kids who want to play music?

• Don't let anyone tell you that you don't belong here. You do.

- What is your fondest show or tour memory that comes to mind right away?

• First thing that comes to mind is Skull Kid and Annakarina tour in summer of 2015. I was playing MSM fest and me and someone I was with found a four leaf clover on the ground! We kept looking and we realized there were tons! We had to have found a dozen or more four leaf clovers. Pretty tame story but we were very excited! I honestly thought they were fake

- Dream tour- If you could open for any 2 bands on a tour right now, who would it be?

• Oh man this is difficult! This sounds bonkers but I totally mean it: I already talked about her but the first one is Phoebe Bridgers haha. It makes absolutely no sense that this band would ever play with her but honestly, I'd love it.

• Kind of a cop out answer but Shin Guard has to be the second one. Owen is on this ep, but I still think that'd be a fun tour!

- Is there any upcoming releases/news to share that you would like to plug? Or add anything in general that we haven't mentioned?

• Sure! The EP "Always Moving Forward" mid December along with tape and shirt pre-orders!

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Artist Interview: Chloe June of Annakarina