Meet Anna Kline | Songwriter & Artist Developer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Kline and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
First and foremost, thank you so much for having me and for continuing to shed light on important topics for business owners! Love this question. Work life balance is still an everyday mountain, but I do feel as though I’ve found a few tools to assist me on the journey.

The first is nurturing relationships with those who can hold you accountable. For me, it’s my mom and my husband, for you it may be your best friend, sibling, therapist. I talk to them everyday, and check in, knowing that they are in tune and can be honest with me if I sound like I’m approaching burnout.

The second sounds so rudimentary but makes all the difference! I carve out time to prepare and eat nutritious meals a few times a day. Food is literally fuel, and my brain thanks me for it half way through a long session.

The third is moving my body everyday. Whether it’s a walk or 15 mins of yoga, claiming back some time to get in touch with my physical body allows me to checkin mentally as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a songwriter/artist developer, I put a massive focus on relationships with my co-writers and clients. I’ve learned that we create the best art when there is mutual trust to be vulnerable and respect to really hear the other person. I think what sets me apart is my ability to meet people exactly where they are and mirror back to them exactly what they want to say through the vehicle of songwriting. I streamline artist vision into lyric and melody. This process isn’t about me, it’s about the artist and the song and any ego is left at the door to better serve them both. I would say, this act of surrender is the skill I am most proud of mastering.

I got to where I am today through much sacrifice and effort! Easy, no. Fulfilling, YES! I’ve overcome challenges of living outside of a music city and traveling regularly for my career, being SO broke and navigating side hustles to stay afloat, and accepting that most people won’t understand the life I’ve chosen.

I’ve learned that success lies in the moment you finish a work and feel proud enough to send it into the ether! Success is not what happens after, as we often have very little control over our works commercial success. (Thank you for the wisdom, Rick Ruben)

My goal is to continue consistently building a catalog of undeniable songs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oooh, love this question. For Nashville, there are SO many spots to choose from. I would start in the morning by doing a little coffee shop tour. A few of my faves are Ugly Mugs, Steadfast, and Barista Parlor. Maybe grab a bagel at the little stand by Weak Coffee. After that, if the weather is nice, I’d want to hit the airpark and do a little walking or biking! Then, off to thrift/vintage shop. A few of my favorites are Savant, Anaconda, Buffalo Exchange, and the Goodwills are pretty fire too. Then I’d grab a late lunch/early dinner. For more of a chill vibe I love Mas Tacos and Redheaded Stranger. If we’re feeling tapas, Lyra is DELICIOUS Lebanese cuisine. Sushi? Oku. Pizza? Five Points. Can you tell food is important to me? LOL. I’d end the night with a drink around the fire at Urban Cowboy!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are SO many people, organizations, books, etc. that have made an immense difference in my journey. It’s hard to pick just one. But recently, I am exceptionally grateful for my Nashville/LA/NYC songwriting community. The co-writers and creators that I work with daily have an innate understanding of the hills and valleys of this career. To walk alongside them is to always have a friend to confide in, and as an independent artist, I consider them my team!

Honorable mention goes out to Rick Ruben for writing a book that changed my brain chemistry for the better, The Creative Act: A Way of Being. I felt so seen and mentored reading this.

Instagram: @annaklinemusic