Meet Nancy Ann

 

We were lucky to catch up with Nancy Ann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I haven’t, LOL. You can ask any of my friends, my imposter syndrome is SO BAD. I have a constant stream of downplay quotes and “no big deal”‘s coming out of my mouth at all times. It’s something I’ve been actively trying to change about myself: to stand up and be proud of my work. Like yes, I did that, I made that, I accomplished that. I’m allowed to be proud of my accomplishments and trials. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of where you are while still recognizing there’s always room for growth. I think I’ve just been so conditioned to be small, quiet and restrained that it feels uncomfortable or boastful to take pride in anything about myself. I’m working on it.

When it comes to making music, I still struggle with feeling like I don’t belong in rooms where I’ve been invited. And while I firmly believe that being the most inexperienced in a room is the best way to grow, it’s VERY intimidating. The only way to work through this is by consistently showing up, and I’ll continue to do so until I’m in a position to invite others.

I’m really lucky to have found an exceptionally supportive group of friends who actively call me out when I’m letting imposter syndrome get the best of me. I can attribute so much of my progress in overcoming imposter syndrome to my dear friends, who root for me and uplift me in every situation. I look forward to the day where I can answer this question with poise, sincerity, and confidence.

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?

My name is Nancy Wilson, stage name Nancy Ann. I’m a songwriter and recording artist out of Knoxville, Tennessee currently about to release my debut album, “Smitten”! I am so excited to bring my very first album into the world. This project has been a labor of love seven plus years in the making and the collection of songs on it is as diverse as the journey that inspired it. Each track is a sugary mosaic of love experiences, spanning many years and emotions, all woven together with threads of sweetness and sorrow.

“Smitten” is more than just an album – it’s a vibrant sprinkle of a sound, blending atmospheric melodies with edgy beats and infectious energy. From tender ballads to peppy anthems, it’s a musical candy store that captures the essence of love’s highs and lows, all wrapped up in a package that’s uniquely me. I couldn’t be more excited to share this piece of my heart with the world, and I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.

I’ve always been the kind of writer who writes from experience, and this album is a testament to how far I’ve come with expressing and releasing my art. 22 year old me would have been modified at this release… Letting everyone in the world read my own personal journal entries? Absolutely not- hahaha. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come with my self-expression and it’s a joy to finally be at a place where I’m not only happy but also eager to share my art with others.

“Open Letter”, the first single from Smitten just dropped May 22, 2024, and you can stream it everywhere you enjoy music. There are four more singles slotted to drop this year before the full album launch, and I can’t wait for you to hear them!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1) Perseverance / Work Ethic
I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without my gritty perseverance and dedicated work ethic. There have been many accomplished days on 2 hours of sleep, and even though I was exhausted and tired in the moment, I wouldn’t trade any of it knowing it would bring me here. Keep pressing forward, it might take a while, but if you believe in yourself, it’ll all be worth it. Put in the time to make something the best it can be without getting lost in perfectionism, make sacrifices when you need to, and keep going!

2) Empathy & Kindness
Please don’t ever forget that everywhere you go and everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. I’ve had far too many experiences where someone has told me my kindness during a particularly rough patch of life is something they’ll never forget. Strive to be someone who brings light into people’s lives, and 9/10 times, they’ll bring light back into yours. These relationships and connections can and will live long past your wildest assumption.

3) Friendships & Working Relationships
Let’s make one thing clear, I could absolutely NOT be doing this caliber of work myself. I am not wonder woman, a robot, or have the technical knowledge to create these kinds of amazing works all by myself. I’m so blessed to have incredibly talented friends willing to lend their professional talents and time to helping me pursue my dream, as well as producers I call friends that enjoy my company and talents as much as I do theirs. Make sure amidst all the responsibilities of life, you’re still making time to show up for people and nurture them. Truly, just showing up for people in celebration and even in sadness means more than you may ever know.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I absolutely am! I’m actually coming up on a really exciting moment in my music career where I’m actively seeking out collaborators, financial sponsors, and partners for my upcoming albums. I’m on the lookout for collaborators who resonate with my brand & aesthetic, eager to join forces and bring our visions to life. It’s a thrill for me to extend my content creation skills, offering support to individuals and businesses alike as they navigate their own unique journeys. If you’re interested in partnering with me, I’d love for you to check out my works! Feel free to reach out using any of the contact methods listed below—I’m excited to hear from you!

Instagram: @nancyannmusic (shoot me a DM!)
Email: [email protected]

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Amy Linn Lee

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