Anjulie

Canadian singer and songwriter Anjulie knows how to craft a pop single. She has written music for Cher Lloyd and Nicki Minaj, among other notables. Some of her songs have appeared on hit television shows such as The CW's Melrose Place and The Vampire Diaries. She has toured with many acts like Jesse McCartney, Raphael Saadiq, and B.o.B.

Anjulie is currently out in Canada working in the studio and promoting her new single "You and I." ChicagoPride.com's Jerry Nunn recently caught up with the singer while she was in the studio recording.

JN: (Jerry Nunn) Hi, Anjulie. I heard you are recording and have been busy all day.

Anjulie: Yes and I'm working on my EP that comes out in 2013.

JN: Are you putting the track "You and I" on it?

Anjulie: Definitely.

JN: Where are you recording this?

Anjulie: I'm in LA. I bounce back and forth between Toronto, Canada and here. I'm here until the holidays.

JN: I wrote a travel story in Toronto last year for Christmas.

Anjulie: Toronto is an amazing city!

JN: What is your ethnic background?

Anjulie: I'm Canadian, Guyanese and Indian in that order.

JN: You were born in Canada?

Anjulie: Yes, I was born and raised in Canada. My parents and grandparents were born in Guyana and my ancestry is Indian.

JN: Well, you are a beautiful girl from what I've seen in pictures. I missed you performing here are Roscoe's Tavern.

Anjulie: It was so fun.

JN: You have to come back to Chicago.

Anjulie: I know! I was actually in Chicago just a month ago with a friend. I wanted to go to a gay bar that I went to before. But it was closed down and had a green sign. Does that sound familiar?

JN: It could be The Green Dolphin.

Anjulie: That could be it.

JN: How did you wind up working with Benny Benassi for the single "You and I?"

Anjulie: He had a session with another artist and she couldn't make it. She cancelled so my manager called me. I was on my way to the gym and she asked me to come by the session right that minute. I went and it was very organic. It was just me, him, and his brother, who had also previously worked with him.

JN: Well it worked out then.

Anjulie: Totally. I love his sound. I was a fan of his before I even met him. I loved "Beautiful People" and everything. He's great. He also looks a little like Robert Downey, Jr.

JN: That's sound hot. People love that single. I have heard from listeners that you sound a little like Kylie Minogue on it.

Anjulie: Yeah, I think some of the productions sounds like Kylie. I love Kylie. She is a huge influence so that is a very good compliment.

JN: Did you write the lyrics?

Anjuilie: Yes, I wrote all of the lyrics and melodies.

JN: Have you always been a songwriter?

Anjulie: I actually started as a songwriter. When I was in high school in Canada I started writing for some Canadian artists. I was assigned to a Sony publishing company. I don't know if you know Fefe Dobson. She is a rock pop artist but I wrote "I Want You" for her. I also wrote for Kreesha Turner as song called "Don't Call Me Baby" that went to number one on the radio that year. From that I started transitioning into writing for some artists here. Then I started working on my own record. When I was writing for an artist one time they told me that my writing was very personal so I ended up putting out my own stuff.

JN: You are on the new Cher Lloyd album Sticks & Stones. She's doing very well.

Anjulie: She's been great. She did a song of mine called "Stand Behind the Music."

JN: I watched the video for your version of the song. It was really good.

Anjulie: Thanks a lot.

JN: I still listen to "Boom" all the time. I can't get enough of it.

Anjulie: That's awesome. That was on my first independent record.

JN: I went to the House of Blues show when that record was out and had just missed you performing.

Anjulie: That was with Raphael Saadiq.

JN: Why is there such a connection with you and the LGBT population?

Anjulie: I have a lot of gay friends. I think anyone that feels like an outsider, whether you are gay or straight you kind of bond because of that feeling. I guess I felt that way growing up. I was in an all white high suburb of Canada. I felt very unattractive so I had to make friends in other ways by being funny or smart or writing songs. I am grateful for it because I became interested in other things. I am a fan of gay people in general with a creative brain. I support it.

JN: Well, we support you too. There are many other places to perform here in the future for you.

Anjulie: I would love to.

JN: With this single you are currently just playing around Canada?

Anjulie: We started the record up there. It is doing really well. I think it is number 11 on the radio in Canada right now. We will be all around the United States early in 2013.

JN: People can follow you on Twitter to keep up with that tour?

Anjulie: Yes @Anjulie.

My website is www.anjuliemusic.com.

JN: I look forward to hearing the EP in 2013!

Also, look for Anjulie to perform at Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend April 3-7. Visit www.TheDinah.com for ticket information.