Written by: Elana Cohen, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
INANNA is a singer, dancer, environmentalist & animal advocate of Italian origins. She reinvents environmentalist music in an eco-alternative-pop project dedicated to the Earth and all its landscapes and life-forms, through mesmerizing future-oriented pieces. Inanna's music is a movement, an alliance, and a form of activism.
1. Describe where you were in your life when you decided to make your love for music and the earth your career and passion?
I was exactly here where I am, in Los Angeles, a place that still feels new to me, in spite of having lived here for more than 4 years now. When I moved here, I had a scary but exciting clean slate in music: I could start a new project, be independent, and create something brand new that would speak more of me and what I stand for. So, Inanna was born, in the winter of 2019. And Inanna's main goal was (and is) to speak up for planet Earth and give a voice (literally) to the voiceless. I am grateful every day for having had the courage to start something new, on my own, with a very personal mission. It is the hardest path, but it is the truest.
2. What circumstances led you to your interest?
I became more and more aware of the climate emergency and the problems with animal rights and animal agriculture around 2018, when I started watching more documentaries, read more books about it, and when my husband started dedicating all his journalistic work to future and climate-related topics. I decided to go vegan in early 2018 for environmental and ethical reasons, and this also led me to discover even more about animal rights organizations, initiatives and to be inspired by many figures in the field. In 2019, before covid, there was a big uprise and a big new wave of the environmental movement, led by Greta Thunberg, which also moved me and made me feel I wanted to participate, do something more, and use my skills to speak up for animals and the planet. All these circumstances made me decide to write songs about the future of the Earth, and I haven't stopped since then.
Questions about the people involved:
4. Who else was involved in helping you start your platform and mission?
My first big support and encouragement came from my husband Anders, who is also involved in the environmental discourse and in activism. He immediately saw, like me, that this was necessary: arts and music specifically are such a powerful means to spread awareness and create emotion around something, so he encouraged me and helped me from the very beginning to frame the project, anchor it in mythology (given the huge and timeless topics) and he has always helped with his creativity and philosophical background in all my videos and imagery. My family was also very supportive from the start and helped me promote my work in Italy, where they are from.
Another huge help came from my producer, Joshua F. Williams, who was brave enough to accept the challenge of creating a new genre with me (an eco-alternative pop with Middle Eastern influences), and that always supported my views and my message. Without him all the songs would have never been what they are (I compose and produce, but he adds and fixes and mixes all my productions).
5. In what ways did those involved help you/ create challenges for you?
Apart from my family, my producer and my husband, all the wonderfully kind and talented professionals who have supported me so far have helped to shape what Inanna is today: a loud and clear expression of a possible world where humans live in balance with nature and animals, a world of possibility. They all helped shape this project through instruments, video, pictures, costumes, press, concerts and more! And I am so grateful to every single one of them for their support. Independent artists like me always rely on the help of amazing professionals who understand your vision and your mission. I was very lucky from this point of view. And the challenges? There are SO many on the way, constantly. In every true artistic path, the artist has to deal with so much rejection, so many difficulties, and for each person that helps, there are other hundreds who won't or will never resonate with what you do. But when you persevere, and when you are authentic about your work and mission, you always find the right people and the right support.
6. How did your friends and family react to you wanting to use your music to help with climate change?
I have to say they have all been very supportive from the start, even if I believe that many of the people around me probably thought this would be a small and short-term project like some others. I think they were surprised when they saw that this became a big part of my life, that I was persevering in my intent, and that I made so many things happen since the beginning.
7. What did you do next?
I chose a name (Inanna) that could contain the possibility of speaking about all these enormous topics (only an ancient goddess name seemed apt for this big task), I started taking a lot of notes for lyrics, writing down possible titles for songs about different environmental issues, and I learnt how to produce my own music on Logic. I was scared at first, but then it all started flowing and coming together naturally.
8. How did you decide to put everything into your project?
It wasn't a decision, it was more an inevitability. My love for music, dance and nature came together into something different, and giving it all to it felt like something natural. Very hard, but inevitable. I had many other projects before, but only this time I felt it was worth it to put all my energy into it.
9. Tell me the biggest reason why you think music can contribute to change our minds about the climate crisis?
Music moves us. Literally and spiritually. It creates E-motion, a motion of the spirit, where the connection with a certain topic can be created and enhanced. Music is a ritual, and rituals always modify who we are. Music and the arts can change minds because of the deep and layered moments of catharsis and realization they provoke.
10. How did that work for you?
The best moments I've had in the past few years have been those loving messages and comments from people, when they thank me for what I am doing and standing for, when they thank me deeply for using my voice and my music to speak up for the planet, or when they thank me for having stirred something in their souls. Those messages are worth all the daily work and efforts.
Questions that pull out a life lesson:
11. What was the most significant moment during your journey into the industry?
My first music video, Nefertiti XXI. We put all into it, our little funds, even the money we didn't have, our energy, our complete vision. When that first music video came to life, I felt many things were possible.
12. At what point did you realize you wanted to take your passion and turn it into a career?
It had always been very clear to me, since I was a little girl, that I wanted my job to be my mission, and not just a job. I didn't have it clear at first if I wanted to be a singer, or actress, or dancer or producer, but somehow I managed to put all those elements together and create a meaningful path for me in the arts, and when I managed to mix it with my passion for nature and animals, the perfect mix was born: I finally found my true path, and it would be hard to think about doing anything else right now.
13. In what way (ways) are you a different person today because of your passion for the craft in your industry?
My adventure in the music industry as a climate, nature and animal advocate has made me much more resilient, resistant, selective and has taught me so much about effective planning, production and advocacy. I am different today because I know that if I do the work, and if it comes from an authentic place, I make things happen. Having a "why", a clear mission, made me conquer trust in myself and my instincts.
14. How has this experience impacted the decisions you make today?
My experience in both the music industry and the environmental field in the past 4 or 5 years has impacted me deeply in the ways I choose to work, the people I choose to work with, and where I decide to put my efforts and resources. I learned by doing, making mistakes and finding out what works best for my project and objectives. I know how to reach my allies better now, I have learned many skills who have allowed me to be almost completely independent in every aspect of my daily life as an artist and activist.
15. Name the top two or three lessons you learned from your experience.
Alone is great, together is better. Being independent with your vision and creativity is amazing, but only the kind help and support of others can make it happen.
Taking mental and physical breaks from work and activism efforts is fundamental for balance and to avoid being constantly overwhelmed. Independent artists most of the time have to take care of every aspect of their work, and it can be exhausting. Taking some time doing other things to feed our body and soul is as important as doing the work.
16. What would you say to others who find themselves in a situation similar to yours?
Find your "why", dig deep into what moves you and what you want to say to the world. Once you know it, everything will flow easily, and creativity will feel natural and meaningful.
Questions that tie the story to your organization:
17. Why are you willing to share your experience?
Sharing is caring, and sharing is everything. I don't believe in keeping things and experience to oneself. The more we all share what we learn, the more we all grow and make progress.
18. How does your experience reveal what your organization Better Earth Media is all about?
Better Earth Media, co-founded with my friend and colleague Jane Elizabeth, was born within the intersection of art and activism, of music and environmentalism. I have always been an artist but also an eager and organized producer and connector. I wanted to use that experience and skills to help others connect around environmental issues and initiatives, and help promote other people's work and organizations, to raise our voices together and speak up as a collective force.
Elana Cohen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Elana Cohen is a freelance writer based in Chicago. She covers cannabis topics from product reviews, thought leaders in the industry, brands, features on cannabis players in the market and her own experience with cannabis and mental health. Elana is on a mission to end the negative stigmas on cannabis, mental health & tattoos. All topics considered to be fighting the taboos and negative stigmas they have. Elana also covers entertainment, specifically electronic dance music concerts and festivals. I also cover FOOD and the hospitality industry. Send restaurant news and upcoming launches this way!
