Meet Anna Young | songwriter/musician

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

Hi Anna, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking has been essential to every major step in my career. I truly believe that without taking risks, growth and especially creative growth is impossible. If I hadn’t taken the leap to leave my stable job and start gigging full time, I never would have made my first album. That album led to recognition, opportunities, and a sense of community in Boston that shaped me as an artist.

That experience gave me the confidence to take an even bigger risk: moving to Venice Beach. It was a bold move, but it led me to meet my current team and collaborators. Every pivotal moment in my journey has come from stepping into the unknown.

I’ve learned that it is good to feel uncomfortable sometimes. Those are the spaces where you stretch, evolve, and find your voice. Risk is not just part of the process. It is the process.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey with music started at a very young age, thanks to my dad, who was always in bands and surrounded our home with instruments and sound. I was exposed to music as early as I can remember. I was always holding an instrument, always listening, always learning. Eventually, my dad would invite me on stage to sing with his band. Those moments were infrequent because I struggled with intense stage fright, but they planted the seed for everything that followed.

Overcoming that fear was one of my biggest personal challenges. What truly got me to where I am today was my decision to keep showing up. I poured my heart and soul into performing live, whether it meant playing to a packed festival or an almost empty room. I’ve played over 500 gigs, from small cafes to major venues, and every single one taught me something about performance, perseverance, and connection.

That consistency and commitment led to working with incredible producers, earning award nominations, and eventually moving to California to pursue even bigger dreams. None of it came easy, but every step has been worth it. Music is my life, but more than that, it is how I have found myself. It has fueled my soul and given me purpose.

I am proud to say that while I have had the support of an amazing team, friends, and family, what sets me apart is my ability to show up for myself every single day. I stay grounded in my vision and in what feels true to me. My story is about authenticity, resilience, and trusting that if you do the work and lead with your heart, the right things will come.

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?
We’d kick things off with a beach day at Paradise Cove in Malibu. It’s the perfect mix of laid-back and iconic. Just take in the sunset with our feet in the sand.

Dinner would be at C&O Trattoria, one of my favorite spots in Marina del Rey. I’d make sure we ordered the chicken marsala…it’s a must. The vibe is lively and cozy, and it always feels like a celebration.

We’d spend a day exploring Venice Beach. I’d take them to Juice Infusion, a small smoothie stand with major local charm. I always get the “Muscle Beach” smoothie. So good! Then we’d walk the boardwalk and soak in the sunshine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my high school English teacher, Mr. Corcoran. During my sophomore year, I was feeling pretty lost and a bit rebellious. Like a lot of teenagers, I didn’t always feel seen or understood. But Mr. Corcoran saw something in me. He compared me to characters in the books we were reading and used literature as a mirror to show me who I was and who I could become.

One book that changed my life was Fahrenheit 451. It opened my eyes to the idea that the future could become mindless and disconnected, where people stop truly listening to themselves or each other. That message stuck with me. It reminded me to stay mindful, heartful, and true to my own path, not the one society expects.

Mr. Corcoran helped me embrace my individuality and recognize that being misunderstood didn’t mean I was alone. Through those stories, I realized I wasn’t so different after all. He made me feel seen during a time when I really needed it, and that kind of encouragement left a lasting mark on who I am today.

Website: https://www.thisisady.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annadaleyyoung

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annadaleyyoungmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@annadaleyyoung

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nIQ95PWSdHuRjG6bD51ms?si=9Xeh76sdQii0dOsYniSAEA

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anna-daley-young/1671899245

Image Credits
Katie Ingle – img_8357 & img_8362