[Anna Colette]
About the "Wayside" song and video
A wonderful article about the incredible British singer Anna Colette and her song Wayside. Anna herself describes her style as dark ethereal western.
We have already included the music video for this song in our selection "Forgotten Nostalgic Romance" – featuring artists who take visuals seriously and do everything to make the imagery enhance the music. We decided to reach out to Anna to express our admiration, and in response, she shared with us the story behind the creation of the song and the music video.
We have already included the music video for this song in our selection "Forgotten Nostalgic Romance" – featuring artists who take visuals seriously and do everything to make the imagery enhance the music. We decided to reach out to Anna to express our admiration, and in response, she shared with us the story behind the creation of the song and the music video.
F: What inspired you to write this song?
Anna: Honestly, the inspiration sort of fell from the sky in a way. That week I bought a new guitar, but I was really sick and hadn't played it for a while. Then I just sat down – and it didn't even feel like anything special. Just a good, regular song. But then I thought I needed to focus a bit more on the writing, be more intentional, and I started shaping the words. I wrote them down. I was still in that state of mind – "where did she go?" (my previous single) – and I read what I'd written with that mindset, but I also wanted to see which words would just fall into place naturally. I'm not overly meticulous in my approach to writing. I just wrote the words that fit, that felt right, that sounded good and rolled off the tongue easily. I liked the idea of it being this wild confession that could fit into that world as a kind of prequel. But that wasn't the intention – it was more of a byproduct.
Anna: Honestly, the inspiration sort of fell from the sky in a way. That week I bought a new guitar, but I was really sick and hadn't played it for a while. Then I just sat down – and it didn't even feel like anything special. Just a good, regular song. But then I thought I needed to focus a bit more on the writing, be more intentional, and I started shaping the words. I wrote them down. I was still in that state of mind – "where did she go?" (my previous single) – and I read what I'd written with that mindset, but I also wanted to see which words would just fall into place naturally. I'm not overly meticulous in my approach to writing. I just wrote the words that fit, that felt right, that sounded good and rolled off the tongue easily. I liked the idea of it being this wild confession that could fit into that world as a kind of prequel. But that wasn't the intention – it was more of a byproduct.
[I liked the idea of it being this wild confession that could fit into that world as a kind of prequel]
F: Who came up with the idea and produced the music video?
Anna: I came up with the idea for the music video. I wanted it to feel like a live performance, but at the same time like a dreamlike narrative story. It turned out to be a bit more challenging because the first video had a storyline. Keeping the viewer’s attention for a full five‑minute song in that format is not easy. So I thought: what makes me feel a little out of my comfort zone? And I realised it was dancing. So I asked Miranda (the girl who came up with the dance and also appeared in Anna’s video), "Would you come up with a dance routine?" She used to dance, she agreed, came up with the moves – and it was great. We rehearsed it a couple of times and had a lot of fun.
I handled the outfits and makeup – both videos were shot for less than £500 each. We had a very tight schedule and a tight budget, which is probably what makes them so cool.
The director is the same guy who shot the first video – his name is Curtis Tyson Derouff, he’s credited in all the materials. This time we also had a cinematographer, Curtis’s friend Evan Bridges; they worked together on a documentary. Jamie Hall also helped out – he worked on the first video as well.
Anna: I came up with the idea for the music video. I wanted it to feel like a live performance, but at the same time like a dreamlike narrative story. It turned out to be a bit more challenging because the first video had a storyline. Keeping the viewer’s attention for a full five‑minute song in that format is not easy. So I thought: what makes me feel a little out of my comfort zone? And I realised it was dancing. So I asked Miranda (the girl who came up with the dance and also appeared in Anna’s video), "Would you come up with a dance routine?" She used to dance, she agreed, came up with the moves – and it was great. We rehearsed it a couple of times and had a lot of fun.
I handled the outfits and makeup – both videos were shot for less than £500 each. We had a very tight schedule and a tight budget, which is probably what makes them so cool.
The director is the same guy who shot the first video – his name is Curtis Tyson Derouff, he’s credited in all the materials. This time we also had a cinematographer, Curtis’s friend Evan Bridges; they worked together on a documentary. Jamie Hall also helped out – he worked on the first video as well.
F: What inspires you?
Anna: Actually, I feel inspired when I live my life fully outside of music – then the flow comes naturally. As soon as I start trying to force something… it just doesn't happen.
My friends are very important to me. I'm also a music therapist, currently finishing my master's degree. Making music in a way that is directed not at myself but at others – that matters. Because being a musician can be quite an egoistic, self‑absorbed way of life, and that's all fine, but you need to give back just as much.
I love listening to music. My inspiration constantly shifts. Right now, I'm really inspired by writing with other people – I hadn't done that before. I love reading books, I'm a big book lover.
And when I hear a good song, I know I'm excited about it if I start imagining a music video for it. Shapes, colours, textures, movement all merge with the song – and then I know I'm on the right track.
Anna: Actually, I feel inspired when I live my life fully outside of music – then the flow comes naturally. As soon as I start trying to force something… it just doesn't happen.
My friends are very important to me. I'm also a music therapist, currently finishing my master's degree. Making music in a way that is directed not at myself but at others – that matters. Because being a musician can be quite an egoistic, self‑absorbed way of life, and that's all fine, but you need to give back just as much.
I love listening to music. My inspiration constantly shifts. Right now, I'm really inspired by writing with other people – I hadn't done that before. I love reading books, I'm a big book lover.
And when I hear a good song, I know I'm excited about it if I start imagining a music video for it. Shapes, colours, textures, movement all merge with the song – and then I know I'm on the right track.
#1REO
#3 COLLAGE
#3NIA
# LUPINA
Follow Anna Colette and her creative journey on social media, subscribe to Fons, and dive into the world of art and music with us!
© 2026 Company Inc. All rights reserved.
