Anika has never compromised willingly. The Brit-in-Berlin consistently follows her own path, fusing the scorched remnants of analogue synths with post-punk elements to create something powerful and genuinely reflective of herself.
Her new album ‘Abyss’ exemplifies this approach. Recorded at Berlin’s renowned Hansa Studios—where Depeche Mode, David Bowie, and others crafted modern classics—Anika aimed to distill her sound to its essential elements. By avoiding overdubs, she engaged with her live sound, imparting a raw, concert-like energy to the tracks.
Now available, ‘Abyss’ is a significant achievement, showcasing her lyrical storytelling in the process. Recorded live to tape, it merges intense production with some of Anika’s most introspective work.
Set to embark on a UK headline tour this month—including a performance at London’s Omeara on April 28th—CLASH spoke with Anika to delve into her literary inspirations in Their Library.
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What is your favorite book and why?
That's such a tough question. I can't really pinpoint just one. I guess one of my early inspirations was Dylan Thomas; I’ve visited his cottage numerous times. I admire his rich, vivid metaphors and his deep, resonant voice was entrancing. Though he was a complicated individual, I focus on his writing.
Virginia Woolf also inspired me early on. Many of her works, like A Room of One’s Own (the line “I want my own room” from ‘Out of the Shadows’ on the new album references this) and Orlando, influenced my song “Exploded View.” She is indeed a significant figure for me, and I also appreciate her literary essays. One essay, particularly relevant now, is ‘The Artist and Politics’ from her 1936 piece titled ‘Oh, To Be a Painter!’
What other authors do you enjoy?
Looking through my bookshelf: Metaphysical Animals by Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman, Elizabeth Anscombe, Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot, Audre Lorde, John Cage, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, David Byrne, Jeanette Winterson, Hannah Arendt, G. P’Oridge, D.H. Lawrence, Dostoevsky, Adam Phillips, Walter Benjamin, Kafka, Hermann Hesse, Maya Angelou, Aldous Huxley, David Lynch, Susan Sontag, Cookie Mueller, Ricardo Domeneck, Neruda, Timothy Leary, James Baldwin, Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Naomi Klein, Elizabeth Gaskell, Shakespeare, Rilke, Goethe, H.P. Lovecraft, Simone Weil, William Carlos Williams, Steven Warwick, Silvia Federici, Mary Gaitskill.
On my bedside table: Simone De Beauvoir, Anne Carson, Bell Hooks, Patricia Highsmith, Toni Morrison.
What attracts you to specific books?
Whenever I'm feeling lost, I turn to reading. Sometimes, when I don't grasp something, I read several books for clarity. Often, they are highly abstract, and my instinct guides me towards the right ones. I read multiple books simultaneously because my mind needs that, allowing me to approach them in a more abstract way—it all feels fluid and subjective. These authors from various eras serve as my teachers. While I enjoy fiction as well, it often reflects a person's worldview and is a means of learning about different subjects.
Despite all the mental stimulation, books provide me with a sense of calm. It took me time to hone my reading skills; as a child, I struggled to sit still with a book. I had to work on focusing my attention. My concentration is easily disrupted. Even now, I can struggle to focus when there’s too much happening around me. I often find myself overhearing conversations nearby, which can be distracting, even when I’m performing at shows. If someone is having a loud discussion in the front row, I sometimes find myself unwittingly incorporating their words into my performance, which has surprised them in the past—much to my amusement!
Have you ever stumbled upon a true lost classic? What is it and why?
Edith Sitwell—a genuine eccentric. A friend named Andreas suggested her work. I usually prefer discovering things on my own, but this particular recommendation was spot on. You should explore it for yourself.
Do your literary influences directly affect your songwriting?
Absolutely. They open up new worlds, provide perspectives, and invite me in. Often, their thoughts leave me contemplating, and that reflection naturally translates into a song, allowing me to construct another layer on top of that foundation.
What are you currently reading?
Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams, Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis, and Middlemarch by George Eliot. I just finished Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin and The Woman Destroyed by Simone de Beauvoir.
What is the first book you remember reading as a child
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Anika has never intentionally compromised. The Brit-in-Berlin consistently forges her own way, blending together the scorched remains of analog synthesizers with