Start Listening To: Annabelle Chairlegs
Annabelle Chairlegs invites us into her world of gritty honesty and dreamlike soundscapes.
Annabelle Chairlegs makes music that feels lived in. Gritty, tender, sometimes funny, sometimes heavy, always honest. Born in New Jersey and now based in Austin, her songs move between fuzzed out edges and dreamlike reflection. On her new album Waking Up, produced by Ty Segall, she leans fully into that push and pull, letting songs stretch, unravel and find their own shape. It is a record about grounding yourself when things feel overwhelming, about friendship, loss, and the strange comfort of noise and repetition. We caught up with Annabelle Chairlegs to talk about full circle collaborations, alter egos turning into diaries, New Jersey landscapes, and what it means to make music that does not need to be pretty to be true.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
Whats happenin, it AC- born and raised on the east coast- New Jersey USA- short stint in Santa Fe, NM and I am currently in Austin, TX where I live and work and play music!
You’ve worked with Ty Segall on Waking Up, which feels like such a natural pairing. How did that collaboration first come about?
I have played a few shows with Ty over the last few years but before that Ty was introduced to me by my bandmates in the first band I ever played in (TREEMOTEL) in college. They all introduced me to what was happening in real time in rock and roll and just the amazing music scene in general - which I was not hip to at the time. I fell in love with a lot of his recordings and the sounds he was creating- jump ahead 10 years - My bestie and bandmate Nick asked me who would be someone I’d wanna work with on this record - Anyone in the world ! I jokingly said to Ty and he said -well then ask him’ ! And I did ! and here we are- it’s kind of an amazing full circle which i haven’t processed until recently.
What was it like working with Ty Segall on your new album, and how did his production style shape the sound of Waking Up?
Working with Ty was incredible. I don’t think a few sentences could really do it justice but his grace and his work ethic and creative output was beyond what I could have hoped for. I wanted to approach sounds and ideas with intention- who what where and WHY- and he was there every beat -pushing for more- exploring crazier sounds- even going as far as having me plant something in the ground to bring me back down to earth when things felt heavy or like they were moving away.
The album feels both gritty and dreamlike. Did you go into the sessions with a clear vision, or did the songs evolve in the studio?
It was definitely pretty realized going in minus a song or two that were more vulnerable/ loose ideas - I really didn’t know how far we could go- or how wild we could get with capturing sounds / tones that felt like they existed in the place of the song. I do believe Ty has this ability to be dreamlike and also haunting and dark all at once and that was a big reason I thought he would be able to help bring this to life and I think it went beyond what I had imagined.
‘Concrete Trees’ is such a moving song about reconnecting with a lost friend. Was it hard to write something so personal, or did it feel cathartic?
This is one of those songs that came so easy but it holds such weight that I can still sometimes feel a heaviness in my throat and in my chest when we play it - it was important to me to capture that - to add to the disorientation and heaviness I was feeling. Being able to be conversational and communicate and being okay with not sounding pretty - but honest. How we talk to our closest friends when we are going through something.
Can you describe your creative process when writing songs?
I write a lot and I record a lot at home. It kind of depends. But usually I am in that headspace from day to day/ want to create as much as I am able to.
Do you have a specific routine or environment that helps inspire your work?
I love getting ready to record at home - put on some lipstick and a poppin outfit and I am there. It’s a zen zone and it feels like the place to be when I am there. I love surrounding myself with my notebooks and drawings and instruments.
What visual elements do you feel are essential to your music, particularly in the video for 'Concrete Trees'?
I am such a visual person - I love working on art ideas- music videos in particular are my favorite! Concrete Trees we filmed in New Jersey (Kearny, East Newark, Newark) where I grew up - I wanted the song to exist there. And I wanted to show it in the video. The same way I wanted the recording to sound like it - industrial- beautiful- constantly moving-fun- heavy- I wanted the energy that is this place -where we ( my people/ hometown ) grew up and the gritty chaos that we love about it. Also how it defines who we are as people -that landscape feels like a big part of our personalities.
How do you connect with your audience through your music, especially considering the personal nature of some of your lyrics?
I’m not sure. I think it must be a different experience for everyone. We listen to stuff and we read stuff and when it hits - it hits. I think the best I can do is be intentional about the work and hope someone can find a connection to it- maybe not feel so alone in this journey or like they have a friend in it.
In what ways do you feel your music reflects your identity and experiences, and how has that evolved since your earlier releases?
I think it reflects in a big way. Annabelle Chairlegs is so personal to me and it is very much like a creative diary. As time goes on- the vision and the meaning grow stronger and deeper. I have become more open and I feel more okay pushing my boundaries and expanding , exploring. I am grateful for that.
You started Annabelle Chairlegs as an alter ego. How has that persona evolved since your early days?
It feels like it has become less of an altar ego (if it ever was) and more of a cartoon diary. I hope to expand further and push the limits of what exists and what is possible. No rules!!!
Austin has such a vibrant live scene. How has that community shaped you as a songwriter and performer?
It’s been a big part of my experience as a creative. Being around people who want to listen and want to grow - people that want to meet up and collaborate and share time to make stuff or record stuff or play a show. It has shown me that anything is possible.
You’ve shared stages with Lucy Dacus and The Zombies, which is quite a range. What have you learned from playing alongside such different artists?
Playing with a band from the 1960s that had music that had a hold on me when I was a child - music I knew as legendary and classic - that I couldn't fully even comprehend- but was moved by and then on the other end being able to play with up and coming artist that are just so beyond and so inspiring - it just shows you how small the world and how magical this all really is. Anything is possible and life is magic.
What do you love right now?
I love my new notebook and I love basketball. I love my friends and my family, my mans. Good vibes only!!!
What do you hate right now?
I hate the disconnection. I hate the negativity. Yo- lately too - throw the internet on that list. dammnnnn. I wana be outside. I wana cry tears from beautiful moments and look at the sky.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?
The Pulp Fiction Soundtrack - it was a big freakin deal to me and takes me to a place I cannot explain. I think a lot of the feel of that soundtrack in its entirety is a big part of what I am after as an artist making music. I want to live in all of those places. I just love it. It is comfort. It’s very special to me.
When someone hears your music for the first time, what do you hope sticks with them?
I hope they are able to go somewhere else for even a moment. xx
