About me and FAQs

aboutme

My name is Ana Free, and I’m a singer-songwriter from Portugal, but I currently live in the United Kingdom. Maybe you’ve already seen me singing, playing the guitar, and generally having ridiculous amounts of fun on YouTube. Thank you so much for your love and support – your feedback and encouragement keep me motivated.

Growing up, I went to an international school near Cascais, where I picked up my accent. People often think it’s “American” – but I’ve also been told it sounds like everything else you can imagine, except Chinese….at least not yet, haha. I love sports, and growing up I ran track, played volleyball and tennis, and was even captain of the football (soccer) team! I also enjoyed practicing martial arts and playing volleyball at University. Singing and acting in school plays also encouraged my passion for music and creative expression, though now I mostly just act crazy in video outtakes. Last year, I finished my degree in Economics at the University of Kent in Canterbury (UK), and it's been interesting to see how my degree helps me with my music career!

Speaking of the music front, I've been having a blast... I recently released my new EP called "Radian" which is available on iTunes! The first single "Questions In My Mind" will soon be accompanied by it's videoclip which you'll be able to find on YouTube and MTV. I’m currently recording my debut album in the UK – you can check the site regularly (and sign-up for the newsletter) for updates. I’m also touring a lot in Portugal and the UK. I’d really love to get to many of the countries you awesome people write me from, so if you are interested in trying to set up a concert or know someone who is, please email anafreemusic[at]gmail[dot]com to let me know about it. If you’re interested in trying to help get my music on your local radio station, please email as well to get some resources!

Thanks again for watching my YouTube videos and listening to my songs! If you have the time, I’d love for you to download the tracks and share them with your friends. I couldn’t do what I do without your help - you're my support network of awesomeness! My friends and fans are amazing and beautiful, and I am so grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to pursue music full time. I love writing and performing, and I hope my songs inspire you as much as your support inspires me!

FAQ

1. Where are you from, and where did you pick up your accent?

I’m half-Portuguese and half-English, was born in Cascais (Portugal), and went to an international school in Portugal until I was 18 (that’s where I got my US/UK blended accent). Then I went to the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK, where I studied Economics. After graduation, I started doing music professionally, and that’s what I’m still doing today!

2. When did you begin singing and playing guitar? What guitars do you play?

Music is something I have always gravitated towards, for both listening and creating. I’ve been singing ever since I can remember, and my mother tells me I used to sing in my crib as a child. My father taught me to play guitar when I was 8 years old, and I began writing my own songs when I was 10. I love music, and I hope it's a passion that I can pursue for the rest of my life! I play a Gibson Emmylou Harris L200, a Taylor 616ce, a Gibson J-50, and a Fender Stratocaster (yeah, sometimes I play electric, haha).

3. What was the story of your development on YouTube?

I put my first video on YouTube in January of 2007 at the encouragement of one of my best friends. Since then I’ve been posting whenever I get the chance in between all my adventures! As the views grew and I realized how many people enjoyed my music and were supporting me, I was motivated by all the great feedback to keep going and share even more. I then created Myspace and Facebook pages where I could talk with people and keep everyone up to date with my news and music.

4. Why did you choose ‘Ana Free’ as your artist name?

It was a spontaneous creation the day I uploaded my first video! I wanted to keep at least one of my own names... though I have 5 - I didn't want to use all of them for my artist name, haha. The “Free” concept just arrived naturally since I strive to live, think and write that way!

5. How would your career path have changed without the YouTube/MySpace/Facebook phenomenon?

The internet can do wonders for sharing work and communicating with others. The ability to connect with fans on an individual level has been my favorite part of the Youtube/Myspace/Facebook phenomenon. I think that without these platforms, the rhythm of my growth would be more unbalanced, and the processes involved with creating and sharing my music would be much slower.

6. What inspires you to write songs?

I get inspired by a variety of different things. I usually get most inspired in the middle of the night because that’s when everything is quiet and I can collect my thoughts. Although sometimes it's a little too peaceful, and the lyrics and melodies come to me just between the states of waking and sleeping and thus I can’t write them down! Most of my songs are inspired by an experience of my own or about people who are or have been a part of my life. For example, despite its specific subject matter, “The Rain” is not an autobiographical song; it was based on stories that I’ve heard over the years and some imagination.

7. Who are some of your favorite artists? Who did you grow up listening to?

I grew up listening to many different genres of music. As a child I’d listen to Sam Cooke, Eric Claption, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Mama’s and the Papa’s, and The Beach Boys. Then I got hooked on the rock bands of the 90s and began to follow classics like Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Nirvana, Sheryl Crow, 4 Non Blondes, The Offspring and Guns’n’Roses. I used to borrow their albums from my older brother. I still go back and listen to the classics, plus some more recent additions like John Mayer, Colbie Callait, Debi Nova, Christina Aguilera and Kings of Leon. I also like other genres from Hip Hop and Soul to Ambient and a little French, Greek and Spanish music.

8. What are your expectations for your career? When is your album coming out?

I hope to improve on what I already do and continue to connect with people across the world. I’d like to be making music for the rest of my life, and I hope to see many of you as I do it! I just released my latest project, "Radian", which is available on iTunes. My first album will be out this year, and I have a lot of activities that I’m doing in the meantime, including touring in Portugal and playing in the UK. It’s a beautiful and unique experience - thank you so much for being a part of it!

Favorites

Favorite foods: Sushi, pizza, CEREAL!!!, steak, arroz de pato, lasagne, noodles, dim sum, sweet corn, souvlakia, crepes, brownies, passion fruit
Favorite drinks: Milk, milk, milk, milk
Favorite books: The Count of Monte Cristo, If This Were A Man / The Truce
Favorite movies: Slumdog Millionaire, Man on Fire, Tomb Raider

Did you know?

1. Ana is afraid of flying. Co-passengers beware.

2. Ana has an unusually small pinky finger, and believes her hands were not made to play guitar.

3. Ana speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Greek. Ana pretends to speak German and Italian.

4. Ana can't stay in the bathroom while she brushes her teeth. She has to roam.

5. Ana is a certified scuba diver.

6. Ana received a Distinction in her degree on Economics, and was in the top 5% of her class.

7. Ana has been known to eat up to 7 bowls of cereal in a day.

8. Ana can play piano (slowly), and she would like to play drums. Ana's drummer wishes she wouldn't always start playing hip-hop beats on the drum kit whenever there's a break in the rehearsal.

and it’s been really interesting /fun to see how my degree in econ helps me with my music career!

The Official Website of Ana Free