Power Rocker Annabel Lee gets candid with Jejune Magazine! In this exclusive interview with the star, we delve deeper into understanding who Annabel really is and where her music comes from. Obsessed with Annabel’s new album ‘Mother’s Hammer’ we ask her to expand on the meaning of a few of her songs and bond over our mutual appreciation for Patti Smith. Apart from being a talented musician, she also works with organizations towards upholding and fighting for civil rights. Read on to learn more about Annabel Lee!

Where are you based?
Los Angeles.

What inspired you to get into the music in the alt rock genre?
Probably my bad attitude.

As an artist, which musical legends do you like to be compared to/ seek inspiration from?
PJ Harvey, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, and Nina Simone.

Your new LP “Mother’s Hammer” just came out! Congrats! Where does the album get its name from?
My song/album 'Mother's Hammer' get its name from me sitting in the car as a teen with my mom, and listening to the Elton John song 'The One", where he describes finding your soulmate feeling like a hammer, and my mom turning to me and agreeing with it wholeheartedly. I named the song mother's hammer because it's the story of me struggling through life trying to find that big love in my life, for myself, and for somebody else.

Can you tell us a bit about this new album and the story behind its creation?
I wrote the majority of this album in 2020 during quarantine. It was a lot of quiet time to process the preceding years, which were some of the hardest years of my life. I had a lot of time to recount my “Saturn Return”, which is so stupid to reference, but I live in LA now, so this is the gospel. It’s a sort of “coming of age”, some of my highest highs, most important lessons, and my rock bottom — I moved from Massachusetts to Los Angeles to pursue my music career.

Some of the stories on the album relate to ending an eight year relationship and having nowhere to go. Being strung along by vampires in the industry. Being mistreated and taken advantage of. Struggling with addiction, loving addicts, and running out of money — fumbling around trying to fall in love and staying numb at every turn. Grieving the loss of friends, gone much too soon, and trying to see the silver linings but losing hope. Being 3,000 miles from anyone that actually knew me. It was a very dark and informative time.

The album explores different pockets of reflecting on that experience, as well as womanhood, and how much fury comes with that. There is a sort of tough bravado in the first few songs that sets the listener up to see that I’m not to be trifled with, but by track four you see that there are definitely vulnerabilities, and deep seated sadnesses. As it gets deeper into the album the themes begin to shift, more looking out at the world than introspective writing, but the title track, Mother’s Hammer, is kind of a summation of the entire album.

You also recently released the haunting song ‘All Of My Ghosts’. Can you tell us a bit about this song and the story behind it?
“All of My Ghosts" is about entering a relationship with somebody who had previously been in a long term relationship with somebody else and feeling that no matter what you do, they’ve already done it. Wherever you go, they've already been there. It’s about feeling haunted by your partner’s past and being constantly reminded of it to the point of madness.

Honestly, we kinda love all the songs on “Mother’s Hammer”, so let’s look at at few of them!
Can you tell us about your song “Los Angeles”? “You’re wasting me Los Angeles” is a powerful lyric. Can you explain it to us in your context?
'Los Angeles' is about my personal rock bottom. It's about losing everything stable in your life, losing yourself, but continuing on because you have to fight for your dream.

“Up” is also a really cool song! Can you tell us a bit about this song?
‘Up' is about stepping into my power and realizing that I don't need anybody to validate me to find my own success. And through rejection and judgement, being able to persevere.

As big Patti Smith fans we had to jam out to “Patti Smith”. Are you as obsessed with her? What inspired you to write about her and her time in the Chelsea Hotel?
I wrote this song when I was reading one of Patti's books, and was being asked to make TikToks. It was such a struggle for me because I really hate social media and the way it is everything now, and as I read about her life and processes I felt so overwhelmingly jealous of how it used to be. She is such an icon and so important.

How much do you want her to hear your song?
DESPERATELY

Last year you wrote “Kill ‘Em Dead”, which you used to raise money for Bridge Alliance. Can you tell us about this song and why it was fitting for Bridge Alliance?
I wrote 'Kill Em Dead' a few years back about my own experience with assault. It is a violent revenge song, meant for all people who disempower and sexually abuse. I wanted to raise money for the Brigid Alliance because, firstly Roe had just been overturned and me, and every other person I know, was disgusted and helpless, and secondly the funds would go to helping pregnant people that have to travel to get a safe and legal abortion pay for those expenses. These are trying times in this country, and as rights continue to get stripped away from us, the least we can do is sing about it, and try to give a helping hand.

You also did a live acoustic version of your song "Los Angeles"; and had 100% of the proceeds go to Colors Of Change. Can you tell us a bit about Colors of Change? Why did you decide to work in their aid?
Color of Change is a great foundation that is on a constant mission to end the disenfranchisement of black people in this country. It goes without saying that white supremacy and the patriarchy are crushing us all, and I am 100% always going to be working towards dismantling them in whatever ways I can. This was a very small way, but overtime as the songs' streams grow, so will my donation.

It has been a rough few years, how have you been staying positive during these times?
Cooking!!

What is your motto in life?
I wanna make love, and destroy with it.

To learn more about Annabel Lee, please follow the below links:
Instagram: @yourannabellee
Tiktok: @yourannabellee
https://linktr.ee/yourannabellee

Photography by Emma Cole.

Annabel Lee - Rockstar Status: Unlocked