Anabel Englund brings the Magic

Anabel Englund is an American singer + songwriter, record producer, and DJ from The Golden State. Born to American actor and singer Morgan Englund and her grandfather being director-producer George Englund, music has been embedded in the songstresses’ blood since birth. 

“My grandmother would make me sing in front of her actor friends, but I’d be so shy, I’d have to face away,” she says. She’d later make her debut as a Christian youth group she went to as a teenager and then became an in-house singer + songwriter at a Disney-owned TV Network ABC Family where she wrote theme songs and other musical works for productions. 

Englund assigns Southern California as a place that unfolded her creativity and her wild imagination, “Growing up in LA, you’re literally in the city where people’s dreams become realities.” Perhaps the singer + songwriter’s surroundings gave way to her passions, and she became acclimated with well-known collaborative work with electronic artists Hot Natured and MK. 

“It was really fun and such a great experience,” Englund confesses about working with electronic and house music artists Hot Natured and MK, “I was very starstruck by all the guys when we first worked in the studio and then as we got to know each other I was able to just hang out more and not put so much pressure on myself. Still, I wanted to impress them and show them that I had something to offer. I learned a lot from working with those guys through songwriting and touring.”

Messing With Magic is Anabel Englund’s most recent musical offering to date. It’s sultry, sexy, and wide-ranging, all wrapped up into one. The 10-track assemblage complements Englund like no other. But, Messing With Magic didn’t originate as an album, “Yes, so, Messing With Magic didn’t start as an album. I originally had an EP I wanted to put out, which included ‘So Hot,’ ‘See The Sky,’ ‘Spell My Name,’ and ‘Burn It.’ Then when I signed to Ultra Records, I wrote many more songs like ‘Picture Us,’ ‘Underwater,’ and ‘Warm Disco’ featuring Lee Foss. It all snowballed into this big beautiful thing, so it only made sense to transform it into a body of work.” 

Englund takes us through some of the developmental processes behind the title track “Messing With Magic,” “I wrote “Messing with Magic” with Jamie Jones. He lived in LA at the time, so that I would go over there often to work on music. We made a bunch of music that summer, some of it he wanted to use for his project, and I loved this one we made, so I showed him all the songs I had in my planned EP and some music videos I made and told him I wanted to use this song for my EP. That’s how it happened. The title Messing with Magic encapsulates everything about me, from my songwriting to style to collaborations to travel. Messing with Magic is about attempting everything despite fear of failure. It’s about going for your dreams and not being afraid to say yes to opportunity. It’s about falling in love and giving it a chance to grow into something you could never have imagined for yourself.”

Englund provided us with a few more details behind the album and her inspirations: 

What was the most challenging song to write off the record?

“I would say it was my song “Don’t Say Goodbye (I’m not ready)” I was scheduled for a zoom writing session with my friends Paul Harris and Toby Scott. This specific day I was feeling really down, and I wanted to cancel the session but I just decided to jump on anyway. The words I said to the guys and I revealed what was going on underneath my skin. My dog from childhood’s cancer had gotten worse, and I was seeing my grandmother’s health deteriorate right before my eyes. This was all new for me, and it hurt so bad. All I could see in the future was the fact that I was going to lose them soon. Too soon. Thus, “Don’t Say Goodbye” was born. I cried writing this song and sending my voice memos to use for the track in the meantime. When we put my dog down I sang this song acapella in the grass to my dad and brother. They are both gone now, and I miss them so much every day. This song is a tribute to them.”

How do you go about approving a remix?

“Ultra, my label usually gets the remixes done, and then if I like it we use it!”

With this being your debut record, did it exceed any expectations?

“Absolutely!”

Favorite lyric?

“There’s only so much you can learn in one place, the more that you wait, the more time that you waste.” Jump - Madonna

What is your day-to-day songwriting process like?

“Honestly, I don’t think too much about it. I like to let my subconscious take the wheel when I’m in a session. It’s not usually until after the song is written that I realize what I was writing about and why I needed to write it.”

Do you find that it’s harder to create when you are given a deadline?

“No, because I trust the process and I trust that there is a deadline for a reason.”

Who are some of your influences?

“Madonna, H.E.R., Martin Luther King JR. Frida Kahlo, Rupal.”

In your definition, what is a good song?

“Something that makes you feel good, that’s catchy, that makes you feel something.”

If you could have written one song by another artist, which would it be?

“‘In The Blood’ by John Mayer, ugh I love that song so much and I resonate with the lyrics so much.”


If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

“Probably ‘Music’ album by Madonna.”

What would your dream tour look like?

“Amazing creative set design, my brother by my side singing with me playing guitar. The best sound, vibes, and people who are just down to have a good time and connect. Crazy outfits and lights, the whole shebang, you know?”

Stream Messing With Magic on Spotify.

Meet the AUthor

Brianna Vacca is a Philadelphia-based writer. She has an unhealthy addiction to true crime documentaries, celebrity gossip, and writes overly dramatic sad songs.