Meet Annalise Mahanes

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Annalise Mahanes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Annalise , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
As an independent musician, it can be quite difficult to hold onto hope during your search for a place in the industry. Between writer’s block, building a team, funding ourselves independently, and all of the countless challenges that come with this career, my band and I have definitely been tested. For me, my resilience comes from those around me. Not because I have anything to prove, but because I feel so lucky to have the support I do and I strive to honor that. My bandmates, my family, and my fans have accepted me for who I truly am and provide me with a safe space to shine my light. Their unconditional and unwavering support encourages me to continue moving forward in any storm.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am 1/3 of IMY2, an independent rock band based in Nashville, TN. My bandmates (Cal Tucker & Michael Monahan) and I have been lucky enough to gain traction on YouTube and other social media platforms sharing our musical abilities with anyone willing to listen. IMY2 is all about self acceptance, self love, being real and raw. We want to inspire our listeners and viewers to be exactly who they are, without fear or apologies, and create a safe space for them to do just that. Through our music, I have been able to open up about my experiences as an LGBTQIA+ member, my journey with grief, my mental heath, and so much more. Currently, we are working on releasing as much original material as possible and booking concerts and music festivals around the country.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Flexibility, trust, & vulnerability. Being in a band is not for the faint of heart. You must learn how to compromise and widen your perspective in order to make important decisions. After all, this journey belongs to US, not just me. There are many twists and turns in the road and in order to accomplish our goals, we have to work together, be open to changes and new ideas, and share our most vulnerable thoughts with one another. This allows us to write honest music, run our business effectively, and ultimately, make an impact as a band. If I could give an independent band any piece of advice, it would be to build a solid foundation with the people you started this with. Protect each other, encourage each other, and remember that everyone’s perspective is valuable. Each member brings something special to the table.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist is not easy, especially as a woman in rock music. There are so many people who will tell you who to be or who to sound like, what to wear, what not to wear, how to present your art or what steps to take in your business. My obstacle now is trusting my instincts, listening to my intuition, and supporting my bandmates to do the same. It can be hard to drown out the noise and not become overwhelmed with it all, but also to remain open to suggestions and constructive criticism. The reality is, IMY2 cannot exist without Cal, Michael, or myself. I believe that being authentic and true to who we are and what we create is the only road to success. I am determined to preserve IMY2’s innocence when writing and producing our music, while keeping my mind open to new ways we can improve our methods. Through trusting my bandmates and the members of our team, I am learning how to be myself AND learn from others.

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Image Credits
Sara Kiesling Hannah Gray Hall

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