Meet Nina Anto | Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Music Producer

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

Hi Nina, how do you think about risk?
I think there is a massive risk in becoming a musician, becoming an artist. I’ve been terrified many times because the risks I am taking on a daily basis are extremely high, but somewhere deep inside, I feel secure, as I know exactly what I want. I’ve taken these risks so many times they start to feel much more natural, and each time I have more capacity for each risk. I just don’t want to live a life that feels secure but also feels like it’s not my life, not my dream. I wish my profession was easier, but I don’t really think I chose anything. I loved music more than anything else on the planet since I was a child, so there was no other choice for me. It has always been about music, and I just cannot stop or change who I am.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What excites me most about music is singing and creating a unique sonic universe, whether for my own projects as Nina Anto, or for myAUDIOSIGN, which I created to serve companies with sonic branding and music production services.

Since the age of 5, I was trained to become a classical pianist, but by the time I turned 16, I realized it wasn’t really my dream. The classical music world in Poland, with its strict adherence to tradition, left little room for improvisation or creativity. When I finished high school, I took a risk and applied to BIMM London to study vocals at a university focused entirely on modern and popular music. It was a huge challenge for me to move so far away from home and study at BIMM—I didn’t have much experience as a vocalist and had little understanding of how to play popular music. But my heart was much more aligned with voice and modern music. Even though I decided to follow my dream, the path was extremely hard—I struggled a lot, as everything was new—a new instrument, new styles in music. Another challenge was that my voice is very low for a female; I’m probably a contralto, and training this voice took many years.

But this is also what makes me most proud—my voice, and the fact that I never gave up on it. Now it works, and it’s such a unique and powerful instrument. I wouldn’t exchange it for any other voice in the world!

I also love the fact that, thanks to my bachelor’s studies at BIMM London and my MFA at CalArts, I learned not only how to be a vocalist and songwriter but also how to produce and engineer music and sounds. Now I have skills that allow me to create a song from the very first note to the final mix! This skill set also serves me when creating compositions or sonic branding for companies with myAUDIOSIGN.

What are the lessons I’ve learned along the way? If the path is aligned with what you truly desire, you can overcome every obstacle.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I’m based in Venice, so I love exploring the Venice Canals, Abbot Kinney t, and, of course, surfing at the Venice Breakwater. I enjoy dinner at Ospi or Zinque, coffee at Little Lunch, and watching the sunset at Venice Beach. I would go to a skateboarding sessions with GRLSWIRL go rollerskating with Pamela, who often organizes rollerskating gatherings.

Outside Venice, I definitely enjoy going to shows. Events organized by dublab are always cool, and I love seeing my favorite bands around town at venues like Zebulon, Troubadour, The Teragram Ballroom, The Greek Theater, or shows at Hollywood Forever. I also enjoy festivals in LA, such as LA3C, which had an amazing lineup this year with Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, Erykah Badu, Sudan Archives, and many more.

There are also exciting shows at CalArts, whether on campus or at REDCAT, dance shows at LA Dance Project, and exhibitions at The Broad and The Academy Museum. I’ve heard that Bob Baker Marionette Theater is great, but I haven’t been there yet!

What else? Hikes in Topanga Canyon, walking around beautiful houses in Hollywood Hills, finding nice cafes on Melrose Avenue, and strolling through plants and flowers at Descanso Gardens.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m actually really grateful to the GrammyU program that I could join in 2022. It was great to be mentored by singer/songwriter Wolfgang Hildebrandt last year, and this year by composer Genevieve Vincent. 🙂

I’m also really grateful for my London mentors—Rachel Black and Aram Zarikian—who have been guiding my vocals (Rachel) and music production (Aram) journey during my study time at BIMM London.

But this is just the beginning of the list. Rafał Brzoska Foundation and all my other sponsors, who helped me so I could follow my dreams here in the US and study at CalArts.

This is just the beginning of the list. My family, my friends, my partner, journalists, and my PR agent Melanie Marten—this list is endless. I have so many people who have helped me and are still supporting me on this journey. Thank you for every second of your time, your attention, encouragement, support, and big hearts!

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Website: https://ninaanto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninaanto.wav/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonina-nina-anto-pawlak-54197821b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninaanto.music

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

Other: Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5pVvgzCJmU16ZlU7dgFl2I?si=b6a6c3ef3dd74059 Show Me Your Scars (feat. Danny Clvrk)
here is the link to my latest song! it would mean the world to me if you listen 🙂

TikTok:
@ninaanto.wav

Image Credits
Main personal photo: Holy Smoke Photography, stylist: Shaina Gilstrap

Photo 2 (playing piano and singing): SeptemberEvents

Photo 3, 4 (blue): Holy Smoke Photography, stylist: Shaina Gilstrap

Photo 6 (from a gig with a band): Anna Starkey