Annelle Staal is a Nashville based singer/songwriter who crafts soulful lush indie pop with elements of folk and rock. An old soul who wears her “heart on her sleeve,” Annelle grew up a military brat and carries the puzzle pieces of her childhood with her. Passionate about capturing the human experience in her writing, Annelle has a “wide wing span” of styles—ranging from atmospheric ballads, sunny acoustics, and big band blues.
In 2017, the young songwriter released her first studio project MARS a dark-pop EP capturing the turmoil of love and growth. Working, performing and writing in Nashville, TN, for several years following, Annelle’s passion for live entertainment grew.
Tell us about your story as an artist. How did you get here?
My name is Annelle Staal! I write blue-eyed soul, folk, and pop music. I grew up a military brat around the country, and spent a lot of my school-years in the deep south. As a kid I gravitated toward poetry and performance, spending my time writing or rehearsing for musicals. As a teen I was a nature-loving romantic who saw something in everyone. I started fervently writing music and penning stories in my free time, between school, youth group and trying not to stare too long at the girls on the swim team.
I began performing in bars and restaurants when I was 17. It was my first job, and I found being a songstress and a performer suited me well. I was signed to a management company and moved out to Nashville, TN, where I worked as a writer and joined the sea of young creatives trying to catch a break. After a few years I decided I wanted to go back to live shows full time, so I quit my job, my classes, and booked an East Coast tour for 2020. After the pandemic cancelled every last show, I started streaming online on Twitch TV–where I found a beautiful community that helps me thrive as an independent artist.
My music has evolved with me. In highschool I dreamt up dark pop ballads with driving beats, but in Nasvhille I fell in love with folk. I wrote an acoustic album about going through a break-up and adjusting to the change brought on by the pandemic called “Heart on My Sleeve” in 2020. As the fear of the world began to thaw, I wrote in soulful acoustics, and as I became bolder and more empowered, I’ve found my way back to my driving dark pop origins again.
What is the message behind this track?
I wrote “Tonight” in the spring of 2021, as the winter began to thaw, and people started having fires in their backyards again. “Tonight” is about falling fast and allowing yourself to imagine a new life with a new person. I grew up in the conservative south as a closeted queer. I never allowed myself to imagine what life could be like with a girl, and as a young adult embracing my identity for the first time, I wanted to rewrite history.
Any real life anecdotes that inspired it?
The girl I wrote this song about was fictional, it was more of a feeling than an anecdote. But since writing the song, I found myself under the moon one night with someone and realized I was living out the story. I let myself fall fast and imagine a new life, it was special for me.
What do you want to accomplish as an artist ultimately?
I want to tell stories that stick with people. I want to allow others to cry honestly, dance freely, and live courageously through my music. I love creating experiences and building worlds that encourage you to get lost for a while, and help you find your way once you come back to reality.
What does queerness mean to you?
It means GIRLS. Just kidding. It feels like freedom, openness, and joy. It’s bold, creative and romantic. It means being the most authentic, nuanced version of you.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.
https://www.instagram.com/annellestaal
