/ Bringing It Back

by Anokhi Admin

Bringing It Back

Jun 10, 2013

We have to give props to Alanis Morrisette. It was her “Jagged Little Pill” that connected with Anjulie declaring it enthusiastically “that was my shit!” The inspiration was set and Anjulie knew what she needed to do to make it just like Morrisette. Now, fast-forward a few years and after writing songs for other musical stalwarts such as Chris Brown, Fefe Dobson and Cassie, she has garnered major pop-cultural real estate with the placement of her tunes on shows such as The Vampire Diaries, MTV’s The Hills and The City. Anjulie is quickly becoming the new musical muse.

She got her big break while interning at Metalworks Recording Studio at the age of 17. The aspiring singer/ songwriter befriended John Levine, the keyboardist for The Philosopher Kings. Levine is now Anjulie’s longtime collaborator. In 2005, Anjulie and Levine wrote two songs for actress-singer Emma Roberts’ debut album Unfabulous and More. The can’t-get-it-outta-your-head song, “Don’t Call Me Baby,” which the pair also wrote became a Billboard Top 10 hit in Canada for Canadian chanteuse Kreesha Turner.

Anjulie made her singing debut back in 2009 with her 1960’s vibe song “Boom,” which also hit number one on the Billboard Dance Charts the same year. She was nominated for the 2009 MTV Video Music Award for “Best Breakthrough Artist in a Video.” Of course we can’t go on without mentioning that this Guyanese-Canadian who hails from Oakville, Ontario., was also featured in our 2010 Sexy & Successful List.

Today she is working feverishly for her new album set to come out this spring, Anjulie has already igniting the Much Music charts with her new single “Brand New Chick,” also certified platinum in Canada. The mantra of empowerment is a “call to arms” as Anjulie recently noted. “It’s partly about this guy I broke up with, but it’s really about taking control of your own life.” She follows up with fiery numbers such as “Sex Electric” and “Last Night.”

Buoyed by a team of globally renowned A-list producers, Swedish House Mafi a, Benny Benassi, Greg Kurstin and Swizz Beatz, as well as up-and-coming producers Jonas Jerberg and zedd provide their stamp to different tracks. Anjulie, however, is firm on her vision. This new album is her, by her and owned by her. Anjulie has now been hitting the road performing alongside Hedley across Canada and the U.S. She’ll continue to rock a local neighbourhood near you through the end of March.

In this spirit, we recently caught up with the singer to see what she’s been up to since receiving her Sexy & Successful mention and we wanted to show you exactly what she said, in true (and fabulous!) Anjulie style.

Q&A

What you have been up to lately? Making song babies.

Your career highlight has been? Making this record.

What is the most challenging thing for you? Dealing with people who are ignorant.

How do you balance your personal and professional life? I do it well by making my personal life non-existent.

What are some upcoming projects? Putting out a record, touring the record and going hiking.

If you could describe your life in three words, what would they be? Fun. At. Times.

Where would you like to see Anjulie fi ve years from now? I don’t like to picture anything more than an hour from now. But in an hour I will most likely be watching porn.

What keeps you motivated? I am motivated by the need to express myself and to encourage other people to do the same.

Who inspires you? My mom.

How do you deal with fame and the hectic lifestyle to go with it? Has it been an easy adjustment? I’m not famous (yet).

What has been your best career moment so far? Playing for Hilary Clinton.

Have you seen a Bollywood movie yet? Not yet. Wait. Does that one with Kiera Knightly count?

BY PRIYANKA JAIN / PUBLISHED IN THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY / JANUARY 2012 ISSUE