With “Doe Eyed Lover” out now, we took some time to hear from Anstase. Read below to learn more about Anstase, the story behind “Doe Eyed Lover,” and what’s to come.
Hi Anstase! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Anstase is a mesh of my first and last name, Anna Nastase.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
Both Nate and I are currently based in Austin Texas!
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
About a year ago, Nate and I had met through friends. I had not done much of anything at all in terms of music at that time, but after teaching me how to play the guitar and bass, while also helping me gain enough confidence as a musician over time, I decided to attempt pursuing a career as a solo artist after we had parted ways. After we crossed paths again, we decided to make Anstase into a duo permanently. Anstase would not exist without his help, past and present.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Our sound is a mix of post-hardcore with elements of math rock. It combines emotional and personal lyrics, with a rhythm that will absolutely make you want to dance.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Nate takes a lot of his influences from Hail The Sun, Susquatch, and Maroon 5. I take inspiration from bands such as Fleshwater and Radiohead.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Definitely when we finally decided to collaborate. Being able to create music with someone who is on the same wave length is very rare and shouldn’t be taken for granted.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Patience, and the fact that it takes a lot of work to get where you want to be. Just because your song is a hit, doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be getting extreme reach. Having to work independently through sending countless emails and making as many connections as possible without feeling like I’m “too pushy” was a learning curve.
Now onto your release, “Doe Eyed Lover.” What inspired this song? What is “Doe Eyed Lover” about?
A love that isn’t reciprocated in the way that it should be. Feeling like you gave everything to someone for nothing in return, and how gruesome that feeling can be. Although it’s a personal song to me, and conveyed how I was feeling at the time, it’s also something that many people are able to relate to.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for
“Doe Eyed Lover?”
At the time of creating the cover art, I knew I wanted to have huge eyes like a deer. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but I think it turned out pretty cool.
How did the collaboration with Nate Ortega come about?
It didn’t take long for the music subject to come up once we reconnected, as that was something we’re both passionate about. This led to the solo career becoming a duo, and building what Anstase is today.
What was the creative process like when making “Doe
Eyed Lover?”
I had pretty basic knowledge of the guitar and bass, but I was still learning primarily by ear. I did have to learn how to properly track and record on my own, however, which was definitely a challenge at the time.
How long did it take to complete “Doe Eyed Lover?”
Because of how much I had to learn as I went, it took about 2 months for the song to release. This time around with the upcoming EP, the process is much faster than Doe Eyed Lover’s timeline.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
Nate and I’s first EP will be releasing in January, with live shows to follow in early 2026.
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can follow us on Instagram @a.nstase and Anstase on Facebook!
https://www.instagram.com/a.nstase
https://www.facebook.com/people/Anstase/61581344356604
Thank you both for the great interview; wish you both much continued success!
