Annie DiRusso, Right on Time
A New York native returns home, this time with an album.
Annie DiRusso — New York, through and through. Born and raised in the city, she detoured through Nashville for a few years to sharpen the edges, and is now back home as of this winter—right on time.
She walked on set and the energy clicked instantly—exciting, magnetic, confident—the kind that makes you want to make something good.
Her debut album Super Pedestrian is out now—sharp, self-aware, and alive in a way that doesn’t try too hard. Watch her Tiny Desk performance here.
Favorite venue to perform in?
Probably Webster Hall. I love playing there, it just feels electric. The crowd always shows up in such a fun way, and it’s one of those rooms where you really feel the energy bouncing back at you.
What song is on repeat right now?
“Gimme More” by Britney Spears. Honestly the whole Blackout album is perfect. It’s one of the best albums ever made.
What does your perfect morning look like?
I wake up with a perfect breeze coming through the window, and I’m that exact level of warm under the covers where you don’t want to get up yet. Ideally I did something awesome the day before, so I can have a super chill morning. I’ll make a matcha in the kitchen, maybe read for a bit, then go meet a friend or take a walk. If it’s sunny, I’m definitely laying in the sun somewhere.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing right now?
Maybe I’d be a retired collegiate women’s lacrosse player. Like somehow I had a big career and now I’m retired and living a fabulous life.
What’s your song writing process?
It changes all the time, but it usually starts with a lyric in my Notes app. I’ll write a bunch of little fragments and ideas, and then later I sit down with my guitar and see what fits together.
Sometimes it’s the opposite and I’m just playing guitar and something comes out. But having those notes helps a lot because you’re never starting from a blank page. I also journal a lot and will go back through and underline things that could become lyrics.
Voice memos?
I love them. I use them all the time when I’m writing ideas. The only annoying thing is that little lag when you hit record… you always miss the first second of inspiration.
Sometimes I actually use Photo Booth instead so I get a video of myself writing the song. It’s kind of cool to have those little moments documented.
For voice memos from friends—I like them if you’re flirting with someone. It’s very flirty. But when someone sends you a four-minute voice memo, it can take me like a week to respond because I have to find a moment where I can actually listen.
What’s bringing you joy right now?
The weather getting warmer. Being closer to my family. My roommate’s dog.
I just moved from Nashville and officially started my lease in New York in December, so everything still feels really new and exciting. Being back [home] feels very life-giving. I feel really engaged with life in a way that’s been great.
Makeup: Georgia Lim
One Hour Photo Creative Production: Carly Kane
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Annie answers, “what’s the worst thing about musicians?”