Ancona - 'I just try to trust my instincts'

By Run That Again

Enigmatic, aloof, but by no means anonymous: we have no doubt that someday you’ll all know who Ancona is. A truly wicked producer hailing from London, we’d describe his sound as versatile: a bit of electronic, a bit of EDM with a bit of R&B - although there’s a lot of innovation in his music which really defies any specific labels. With nearly 400,000 streams on his tracks with barely a soul knowing he makes beats, Ancona is really one to watch out for, for the strength of his music production alone.

We had a chat with Ancona about his music so far.

How would you describe your sound?

It’s hard for me to describe my music, I think. I’m not too specific with the sound I aim for, I just try to trust my instincts. When something sounds right or sounds like me, I just know. I’m bad at imitation so I try to avoid that.

Who are your favourite artists and influences?

My influences are from all over. I always learnt classical piano, but I used to listen to a lot of hip hop, and I got into production through dance music - my playlists are a mess. I’ve been really getting into the hyper-synthetic PC Music stuff recently. There’s something really exciting about those sharp plasticky edges.  

When did you decide to pursue music as a career?

If I consciously made that decision, the pressure would make my music start to sound rubbish. I’m just focusing on making good tracks at moment, taking it step-by step.

 What are you goals for this year musically?

I suppose to really get a really good workflow going. I haven’t really figured out how I work best yet, and I want to figure out a method that’s less haphazard. I also want to get better at achieving more with fewer sounds, you know?

What are you most proud of so far?

A few weeks ago, there was a video on Instagram of a pole dancer somewhere dancing to No Slave which was pretty cool. It’s weird to think of strangers enjoying your music. It’s hard to be retrospective this early on though. 

 What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

Life is made up of sponge and icing. Too much icing and you won’t enjoy the cake. Sounds a bit austere but it keeps me productive.

Has anyone ever been negative about your desire to pursue a career in music?

Not many people know that I make music to be honest. I’m pretty shy about it. 

If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?

It’d have to be someone with a crazy, unusual voice. Robert Smith from The Cure - imagine that. Or Joseph Morice from Love Supreme.

What’s one surprising thing about you people may not know?

I’m a thoroughly unsurprising person.

What's your favourite snack (yes, we know we always ask this but snacks are crucial to us!) and why?

Toast with peanut butter and honey, without a doubt.