Are you a woman, or man, who goes to the Women’s Marches? Are you looking for the right music to pump you up for the ever increasing revolution of our time? Wonderful, you need to immediately download all of Annie Tisshaw’s music now. You are welcome! This no nonsense Brit will have you cheering with her tunes in no time. Annie’s feminist nature comes out in her music as she sings about men sexualizing her and her body. Please read further to learn more about this fierce woman, her bad ass music, and her experiences with sexual assault and helping others.

Where are you based?
I am based in London.

How did you get into music?
I got into music super young. My family moved when I was four into a house with a piano in it. A few years later, my parents asked my sisters and I if any of us wanted to get lessons, as we had this piano, and six year old me said yes. The first piano teacher I had I loved so much, and was the reason why I kept it up.

Can you tell us about your new single “We Can Go High”?
We Can Go High is a special record. It's big and emotional, but still has the gritty Annie edge. It's the third political single I've released and probably the one most people can relate to. I went around my friend’s, after attending the Women's March in 2017. She hadn't been, and I was trying to explain to her what being at the London March felt like. We wanted to make a song that sounded like the feeling of being in that crowd. It's powerful, inspiring and raw.

You've included a politically charged spoken word poem “Nasty Women” by Nina Donovan in your single “We Can Go High.” What inspired this collaboration?
I had finished the song and really felt like something was missing. I remember sitting on my bed and suddenly 'Nasty Women' came into my head as I had seen her viral video a few months prior. I knew straight away it would sound amazing in the song and was so happy when Nina got back to me and said I could use it.

This isn't your only socially aware song. Jejune is obsessed with your song “My Body”. I think, many women can relate to it. Can you tell us a little bit about “My Body”, and why you wrote it.
Street harassment is real, and I guess that's why so many women can, unfortunately, relate to 'My Body'. When I first moved to London at 18, I couldn't believe the amount of catcalling and street harassment I received. I came from a tiny village in North Norfolk where that kind of stuff didn't happen that often. Honestly, I've been in some scary situations after being harassed which I know so many other people have too. Sometimes it gets me down, but sometimes I'm just like 'F-you'. "My Body" is those 'F-you' times. The verses are so blunt, it still makes me laugh when I hear it now.

Your song “Mr. Rockstar” is also very exciting in how it embraces your sexuality and power as your own. Can you talk a little about what inspired this song?
I have a list of songs I wish I'd written. 'Do it like a dude' is one of them. The song is so bold and full of that I don't care attitude. I wanted to make a song that made girls feel the way that song did when I was 15. I want more pop music like that!

While our world is opening up to the #MeToo movement, most music is still very safe. We love that you are so outspoken with yours. Why is this important to you?
To be real - it's just me. I could very easily be 'safe' too. I've definitely been told to be less political and outspoken in my music, as if that would make me more successful. But authenticity in my art is all I care about. I speak and stand for what I believe in, so it's no surprise I do this in my music too.

You are a survivor of sexual assault. Is this what ignited your feminist music? Do you find music has helped you get through this trauma?
I was assaulted after I wrote all the songs I've released so I can't really say that's the reason why my music is the way it is. Feminism has been important to me for a long time, long before the incident, but it definitely gave my feminism a different meaning. It's more part of my identity than it has ever been. I've written so much new music since it happened which has definitely been an outlet for me. I've had the craziest year and a half. I now have so many experiences to write about.

Many sexual assault victims never come out about their experience, which is why it is so amazing that you did and that you are now an advocate for survivors. How did you find the strength? Have you seen it help others?
Being an advocate for survivors happened by accident. I've done a lot of different things but, in particular, I had a video that went viral. A lot more people saw it than I expected. It's cool that it manages to reach that many people. I received hundreds and hundreds of messages after that from other survivors. For me, I didn't really see a choice in speaking out. Being sexually assaulted ruined my entire life, it was a way of taking back the power. Sometimes now, I look back and think — wow, I really did that. But at the time I wasn't thinking about being brave, it just felt right.

Many women (and men) never go to the authorities after being raped because that part of the experience can be just as traumatic, or even worse, than the rape itself. What advice would you give to someone in this situation?
It was way more traumatic than I ever realized. It's been a year and a half and my case is still open, which I guess gives an indication of how long the process is. My only advice would be to put yourself and your mental health before anything. I didn't do this. I put justice first and I really suffered because of it. It sucks because you basically have to choose between your health or the case. I've seen a lot of other people talk about that too. That's why so many people close their case before there's a decision.

How would you like to see things changed to make this whole process better for survivors?
There's so much that needs changing. The one thing in particular that I’ve done, and continue to do a lot of campaigning about, is around pre-trial therapy. Here in the UK, if you are sexually assaulted and report it to the police, you are only allowed pre-trial (limited) therapy. This is a therapy where you are not allowed to talk about anything in your police notes – so what happened to you. The therapist can be seen to be ‘coaching’ or ‘guiding’ you, which just seems absolutely mad and even crazier that I, and others before me, have to fight for this to be banned.

Date rape is a real thing, but it seems to be marginalized as a crime. Can you please speak a little bit about your thoughts on this?
There’s a lot of ideas around how people think rape happens. How it’s always someone you don’t know, in a dark alley. This can happen, however, it’s much more likely to be someone you know, i.e. someone who you were willingly out on a date with. We will never get over the rape stereotypes unless we start talking about this. And that includes talking about it in a way that does not blame the victim, in any way, for being out on a date with the person in the first place.

What advice do you have for sexual assault survivors?
Do you. Choose yourself. Over and over again.

What is your motto in life?
Being your most authentic self will bring you the most happiness. Stop caring what other people think. Otherwise, you will never get there.

To learn more about Annie Tisshaw please follow her on the below platforms:
Instagram: annietisshaw
Twitter: annietisshaw
YouTube: Annie Tisshaw

Annie Tisshaw Is A Firecracker