Loop: Finger Pies

Anika

Single
Release Date: 2021
Germany

The former journalist made a name for herself in the electronic music scene with her experimental sound collages, confrontational texts and unique way of performing live solo. Her breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of the cult-hit LP, ‚Anika‘ (Stones Throw /Invada), which she recorded with Beak> in Bristol, which began her long and winding road into the music, film, poetry, and arts scenes. [Bandcamp]

Anika, welcome back. First release in 8 years as ANIKA. How do you feel? 

Yeah, it’s been a while. I find this ‘first release in 8 years’ thing funny because of course, in the meantime, I released 2 albums and an EP with Exploded View, an album with Shackleton, singles with Tricky, Dave Clarke, T. Raumschmiere, PBDY, Syny, Iliketrains etc etc but yes, it’s true, nothing actually as ANIKA. I was out and about learning my craft, exploring the world, trying to make sense of things. It was pretty good to have teachers like Gudrun Gut of Malaria!, Tricky, Shackleton and all the other great people I have worked with since Geoff (Barrow) and Beak>, who both taught me a lot from the start. I only ever did a collab if there was room to grow within it and something to learn. I only wanted to release under Anika again when it felt right, when it found its own skin again, when it had something to say. The time is now.  

I realise it’s been only a couple of days since you’ve released your new single but do you see any difference with your ANIKA audience?

The world keeps turning, music is still music, we grow, we learn, we move forward and we move back, it is by no means linear. I was happily surprised actually that the audience is still pretty diverse in terms of gender and age.

We have been running a loop-songs series where we are happy to host Finger Pies this time. What is the song about and what is your ‘intention’? 

It is about so many different things: An identity crisis, overcoming the doubters, skins, and how we use them to protect ourselves, especially in these internet times.

A song that never had a name, like an artist that never had a face. Caught between roles, a jack of all trades, she slips between your fingers like a moment that never was, or was it? So many faces tailored to a myriad of occasions. Walls built between ourselves and the outside world. For protection. Passes grant access to another level. So where are you at? Those with all the keys, please remember, access comes with responsibility. Yet responsibility has been lost, like tissue paper in the rain, a battle without rules, to save face, exploit weakness, to save getting slayed, by the faceless generation. Welcome to the world of ‘Finger Pies.’

Anika on Finger Pies [from press release]

Had to ask the inevitable: Is Finger Pies a sign of an upcoming ANIKA album, by chance? 

It could well do. Looking at the weather forecast, there are chances of rain and many sunny spells.

You’ve also co-directed the fantastic video for the track, too. What would you like to say about how the video itself came together? 

Yes, it was quite a funny coming together. I had worked with Sven Gutjahr on the photos and there was an instant bond, so I asked if he would be up for making a video. I also asked Juliane König if she would do the styling again and a good friend poet, if he would be the male protagonist. Our time was pretty limited, so the idea had to come together quickly. Plus it was corona lockdown and we didn’t want to get any masks in the video, so that was quite funny too. We mostly just tried to avoid getting arrested. We observed the corona guidelines of course and had a mini crew of just 3-4 of us but yes, it was quite an adventure on a mini-budget.

Speaking of videos, are you currently working on a cinema (documentary) project? 

Currently not no but I would like to make more video for sure. 

Since I’ve found a Berliner, here is a -sort of- Berliner Schule related question for you… I am ONLY assuming that you like his work but what is your favourite Fassbinder film?  

Well, I’m actually a Woking-er (where Paul Weller comes from haha) but yes, as a long-time Berliner, I would say my favourite is World on a Wire, which is Fassbinder’s TV series. Actually, that was one of the inspirations for this video.  

Berlin must be one of the richest cities on earth considering your works sprinkled into different disciplines of art and social studies. What does Berlin mean to you? 

It has been a place that offered a lot of space and time to be creative. It was by no means easy being here. It could be quite a tough city and I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with it. For this reason, I did a lot of projects in different countries, like Exploded View in Mexico, to sprinkle some happiness and neon colours onto the mono-chrome shell.

Last but not least, who produced the song (referring to a YouTube comment under the official video and your funny response to it)?? 

🙂  It was co-produced by myself and Martin Thulin of Exploded View. We worked together side by side on the stuff. I love to work with Martin and we have known each other for ages now, so it was a truly enjoyable experience.

---

Get social w/Anika

• Bandcamp
• Instagram
• Link
• Soundcloud

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anika (@annika.henderson)