Annie Lux’s – “Embrace Who You Are”, A Music Artist’s Journey

By Abel Pagaling

I believe music artists are more than just regular people with careers in music.  Sure, they eat, sleep, and work like normal people.  But they offer so much more.  Their music gives our life color and deeper meaning.  They influence our culture.  They connect us with our deepest emotions. Long after they’ve stop making music, we still remember them and play their music because, like a painting on a canvas, they helped define the picture of who we are.

One of my fondest memories growing up is listening to Gary V., Andrew E., Michael Jackson, and even AirSupply!  I don’t remember much in my childhood, but I know the songs I’ve listened to.  Every time I hear a classic, I pause my thoughts and relive the wonderful feelings I have for the song.  The older I get, the more I value the music that has accompanied me in my life.  Songs are emotional and spiritual signposts, and the artist that create them reminds us of how wonderful life is.

In short, music artists stir our souls.  And a young, beautiful, promising artist is set to stir many souls with her delightful and unique style of music, as well as her inspiring personality.  

Meet Annie Lux, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 



Photographer: Jonard Tan
Hair, Make-up and Styling: H&V

Annie was introduced to me by TFFC – The Filipino Champions of Canada founder Mr. Jerry Caingcoy, along with Mr. Brent Anotado and Ms. Hanes Marasigan-Anotado.  They mentioned this young, upcoming artist, and that I should do an interview.  I’ve never done an interview with a music artist before but I was curious to find out about Annie.

I called Annie, and I was amazed at this young lady’s insight in life and in music.  I am particularly moved at how much respect and love she carries towards her parents and the people who helped her with her career.

In the North American music scene where ladies are often presented as rebellious, carefree and daring, Annie offers a strong yet feminine figure, one rooted in respect for family and a true passion for music.   “Everything I know comes from my parents,” said Annie, “and my mom always says, ‘do it all for love’.  And my dad always tells me, ‘it’s always about the journey’.”

Which takes me to her journey in her music career.  Annie’s love for music started at a very young age.  Her parents put her through music school as part of her extra-curricular activities.  She was classically trained in piano, voice, music theory, and music history.   “Classical is the foundation for what I do today. If it weren't for my classical training I wouldn't be able to have the technique to make contemporary music,” said Annie.

In grade 12, she realized that music is her true passion.  “I was a very good student.  Sciences interested me.  I wanted to be a geologist.  But music is my passion.”

What’s interesting about her journey is how her artist’s name came to be.  One day while doing her physics homework, Annie came across the word ‘Lux’.  It is a word used to measure light.  “That’s when Annie Lux was born,” she said.  “Lux is how you measure light, and I want girls to shine. I want my music to brighten people’s day.  I want the words of my music to be relatable. When my audience hears my music, I want them to feel understood.”



Photographer: Jonard Tan
Hair, Make-up and Styling: H&V

One of the most touching part of my interview with Annie is when she described how she finally embraced her music career.  

“I decided to tell my parents that I would pursue music,” said Annie.  “I grew up convincing myself that music was not a possible career option. But I had to embrace who I really was and what I loved. I didn't feel like I was being me. My parents said, ‘We know who you are, you know who you are. You're Annie.’ When I confessed I needed to do music as a career, they we're super supportive. At the end of the day they just want me to be happy. They know I work hard and they know I love what I'm doing and to them that’s enough.”

Annie acknowledged that it was difficult for her parents to see her pursue music.  They wanted her to become a doctor.  In the end, her parents saw her love and passion for music. “You need to do it for yourself first, then others will see and support you,” said Annie.   “My parents saw my passion for music. They saw what I love, and they supported it all the way.”

Speaking about her parents, I could sense her deep appreciation and love towards them.  

“They sacrificed a lot for me.  The arts can be straining in all aspects.  My dad works so hard to support me. He loves his businesses but he also loves me. He's my number 1 fan.  My mom would take absences at work to support me. She was always backstage with me. She helped me with all my costumes. She was there for me when things got too much both mentally and physically. She's always there. Right now they may be my agent, my manager, my handlers, but first and foremost they are always going to be my parent.”

In the music world, I feel that artists often focus too much on their success and give very little credit to the people who made their dream come true.  Annie is different.  She acknowledges the people that made her dream of being an artist possible.

“My parents put me through music lessons.  They came to Canada with $100 in their pocket.  They came to fulfill their dreams, but now they are working hard to fulfil my dreams.  My parents saved up for my college.  They always remind me that I shouldn’t spend my life aimlessly.  That I should work towards something.  That I should always work towards my art.”

Annie also acknowledged individuals who made a big impact in her career.   “I wrote all my music, with the help of kuya Sammy Gerongco and Bobby Gerongo, my producers.  With them I wrote 10 songs.”
 

As I end my interview with Annie, I noticed that even though she is very young, she has a great philosophy towards life.  



Photographer: Jonard Tan
Hair, Make-up and Styling: H&V

“It’s fine to be different,” she said. “It’s fine to be who you are.  It’s what makes you an artist.  If I’m in-genious in my craft, it shows. It’s so much easier to be yourself instead of being someone else.”

When I asked her about some of the challenges she experienced as a young artist, she had this to say: “When you’re working so hard at something, it’s hard to take it lightly.  I worked hard, and I got teased sometimes because of it.  I just moved on.  I have to be the better person.  I let it go, like Frozen,” she said with a chuckle, making me smile.

Annie is the first music artist I’ve interviewed and I’m glad I got the opportunity to do so.  Her passion for music, her love and respect towards her parents, and her courage to embrace who she truly is makes her a unique and a very inspiring individual. 

Artists are the loudspeakers of our inner feelings.  They help express our mood.  They shape our view of the world.  They lift our spirits.  

Annie Lux, you’re a true artist!  With your amazing talent, your great attitude, and the wonderful message that you bring, I know you will touch many lives and have a great following! 
 

On behalf of TFCC – The Filipino Champions of Canada, we wish you the very best in your career!
 

 About the Author:

Abel Pagaling is the TFCC Communication Lead. He manages a team of business analysts with a major Canadian insurance company. He is also an entrepreneur, a writer, a community servant, and a motivational speaker. He is passionate about personal development and leadership.
Email: abel.pagaling@gmail.com
Twitter: @abel_pagaling
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abelpagaling1

To know more about Annie, see the attached Artist Bio!     

Annie Lux
Website: annieluxmusic.com
Email: annieluxmusic@gmail.com 

Birth Name: Anne Marie Bañaga Ala
Height: 5’2
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Nationality: Filipino-Canadian
Occupation: Singer-Songwriter
Birthdate: January 4th 1998 (age 17)
Place of Birth: Calgary Alberta, Canada
Musical Background: Royal Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music (voice, piano, advanced theory and music history) Genre/Vocal Style – Pop fusion, SKA, Jazz, Classic Soul 

Range: Alto, Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano
Influences: Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Jack Johnson, Etta JamesLabel: N/A (independent artist)

Artist Bio for Annie Lux

Born in 1998 (aged 17) in Calgary Alberta, Annie is a young emerging Filipino-Canadian pop-artist. She has recently been nominated for The Womenincharg3 Female Independent Artist Award in Atlanta, Georgia, just beginning to create a name for herself. When she was 13 years old she started singing classic love ballads and jazz at her father’s Restaurant “Pacific Hut” where she was offered to sing with a variety of local bands. Performing multiple genres including reggae, jazz, pop and disco has influenced her in finding her own unique style and proving that she is a well versed entertainer. Also at 13 she joined Youth Singers of Calgary. She also scored an opening solo along with a mid piece solo at the Jubilee Auditorium for their Spring Show: One. This was her first introduction to performing. The following year she had another solo at the Jubilee Auditorium for YSC’s Spring Show Museo1.  She has performed at a large variety of local events supporting charitable events such as the Typhoon Haiyan Telethon which raised $79, 000 for aid to the victims of the devastation. Concert producers for Filipino artists like Joey Albert2, Wency Cornejo, Parokya Ni Edgar, True Faith3, etc. started to contact her to open their shows. She also shared the stage with Lolita Carbon from ASIN, Mike Hanopol from Juan de la Cruz Band and has sung a duet with New York based, multi-platium, Emmy nominated artist David Pomeranz4 (“If You Walked Away”). In May 2015 Annie was a supporting act for Sarah Geronimo’s “Perfect 10” concert in Calgary and Toronto, two out of three Canadian cities during her tour. 

Her fans connect to her quirkiness. She is girly, playful and a little eccentric. Her style is colorful and floral reflecting her organic sound. On her upcoming EP she will be introducing reggae-fusion vibes, with jazzy R&B pop melodies. The topics of her songs are modern and relatable targeting a younger teenage audience. She is working her upcoming EP with multi-platinum, Grammy nominated Kuya Productions5. The Toronto-based Fil-Can duo, Samuel T. Gerongco and Robert T. Gerongco, are best known for their production of two of Shawn Desman’s top singles Get Ready and Shook. Working with artists such as Jesse McCartney, Jordin Sparks, Girlicious etc. They have connected her with Ricky Tillo (Lady Gaga’s guitarist) who will be soloing on Annie’s track “Shadow and I”. Together the KUYA and Annie6intend to introduce her music to Asia with ambition to create a world-class pop star.

Annie studied with Rita Thurn, alumni member of ARCT1, president of ARTMA2 and member of other numerous music teaching associations such as ISME3. Under RCM4 and Rita Thurn Annie studied voice, piano, advanced music theory and music history; learning how to pay meticulous attention to details and subsequently applying this knowledge to her work and performances. Rita Thurn’s husband Ralph Thurn (awarded two JUNO’s5, a Grande Prix Du Disque6 and other musical achievements) collaborated Annie (at age 14) to produce an unreleased album of classical vocal repertoire, her first introduction into recording arts. During summer 2015 Annie attended the 5-week performance program at Berklee College of Music and was chosen to sing for the ‘5-Week Singer-songwriter Showcase’ (only the top 16% of auditionee’s were accepted.) This January Annie will be attending Berklee College of Music. (B.Mus.)

“Lux – lux
noun \ˈləks\
plural lux or lux·es
Definition of LUX
:  a unit of illumination equal to the direct illumination on a surface that is everywhere one meter from a uniform point source of one candle intensity or equal to one lumen per square meter.”
    -Merriam Webster Dictionary

“Lux means how bright something is; so the translation of my name is Annie glows.”
 –Annie Lux during her interview on “The It List on FTV”7