Re-Introducing Josephine Relli as Edward Anthony: Album of Duets with their Former Self
Edward Anthony makes his debut as a pop artist post transition. Formerly Josephine Relli, now Edward Anthony, has an upcoming album entitled “Them,” which features duets with his former self. “Them” is Edward’s first album with his new identity.
Photo by Leah Nash
“Them” acts as a celebration, a send off, a mourning of his former self. He uses his music to move forward with who he’s become. To discuss this project as well as explore identity, I introduce to you Edward Anthony.
Tell our readers a little about yourself…
This is always a hard question to answer. I like to think I'm a fairly adventurous person but at the same time I can be a bit of a homebody. I'm creative but simultaneously prefer the sciences over art in school. To be honest, I feel like who I am is a ball of dichotomous contradictions–but isn't that most of us when we really think about it? We're layered and complicated. I'm an introvert who longs to travel and learn different languages. I'm an overachiever who vacations in underachievement. The list could go on and on, but a fairly decent way to sum it up is, I'm human.
Photo by Leah Nash
What drew you to the music industry?
I have always loved music and even as a small child I insisted on putting on miniature concerts for my family. I didn't really think it was an actual option to pursue it professionally until I was given the opportunity to create an album alongside one of my favorite people, Joseph Konty. It's really all because of his support and guidance that I was able to get started in music and have the confidence to continue.
Where did you get the inspiration to feature duets with your former self?
I knew I wanted something that could symbolize this transition in a way that both honored what I've done and where I've been, while actively moving forward into something new. I was going through my old voice memos of song ideas when I thought I should find a way to pull together those old ideas and sounds with new ones as an homage to the past as well as a new starting point for the future.
This upcoming album is deemed a send-off, celebration, and mourning of your former self, what exactly does that mean to you?
It ties together a lot of aspects of moving out of an old version of yourself and into a new one. There's that confusing collaboration of excitement and hesitation, celebration and mourning. New is scary, but it's necessary. And that new won't be new forever. The album really was a place for me to put all of those emotions.
Photo by Leah Nash
Since this project is a statement about how you are going to move forward with who you've become, how do you see your career changing post-transition?
To be honest, I'm not sure. I mainly hope to find a new spark creatively and continue to live happily and authentically. I'd love to be able to continue to grow and explore and express myself. When I look forward, I see freedom.
Do you have any advice for anyone struggling with their own identity?
It can be daunting–and an honest pain in the ass–to face inwards and figure out who you are. But at the end of the day, you know who that is. Even if it's hidden and hard to reach, you know deep down who you are. My main words of "wisdom” would be to honor that inner voice; the one that knows the “you” that you might not know yet.
Photo by Leah Nash
How do you use music as a means of self-expression?
Music is a major emotional outlet for me. Getting something out of my head and into a song helps me process it. It's also a great way to take something less than pleasant and create something more than pleasant out of it.
What can we expect to hear on the album “Them?”
You can expect a mix of sounds, especially as I'm blending the old with the new in terms of ideas, style, voice, etc. I let it lead itself, so in a way there is no rhyme or reason to it–it's similar to the process of self-discovery in that way.
For updates on Edward Anthony’s album visit EdwardAnthonyOfficial.com or follow his instagram @edwardanthonyoffical.
