5 Q&A With Ani Even
Punk Head: How did you come up with the theme?
Ani Even: The theme of SKINWALKER stems from my own transformation - through heartbreak, becoming a father, constantly trying to fit in, and often putting myself aside to fulfill unspoken expectations. With a recent ADHD diagnosis, I’ve learned to forgive myself and give more room to my own desires. That makes my previous self feel foreign - someone who didn’t prioritize himself, who always adapted to please family, friends, or even mundane work situations. I despise that lack of authenticity.
But I also draw strength from it. One skill I honed in that period was the ability to “mask” - to say the right things, act the right way, never show too much, never cry. That persona, that adaptability, became my version of a Skinwalker: a human who constantly metamorphoses to survive and progress.
Punk Head: Can you describe the emotions or feelings you hope SKINWALKER evokes in listeners?
Ani Even: I’ve been very intentional about making the lyrics audible, since I often struggle to catch words in modern music. My hope is that listeners will feel heard and seen through the narrative of the album. It’s an intense journey - aggression, animalistic ferocity, and a sense of sacred ritual. There are choirs, experimental elements, and moments of vulnerability that carry you through the record.
Punk Head: Can you talk about any standout tracks on SKINWALKER and what makes them special to you?
Ani Even: “I Know That You Lie” is probably my strongest work so far - it’s tight, catchy, and lyrically sharp. It speaks to the intuition of knowing what’s really happening in a social situation even when nothing has been said.
“Djævlebørn,” on the other hand, is special because it’s my first song in Danish, my native language. It invokes a pagan ritual of rebirth and renewal, which is why it closes the album. It feels like both an ending and a beginning.
Punk Head: What is your creative vision as an artist?
Ani Even: I want to stand as an example for the neurodivergent - and for anyone who feels out of place - to show that our so-called diagnoses exist mainly because society fails to understand us. Through music and performance, we can create spaces where unmasking and authenticity are not just possible but celebrated.
My aim is to take the parts of ourselves we fear - our shame, our darker emotions, our struggles with masculinity - and put them into the light. Nothing about them should be hidden. I want to make music that demands active listening, and live shows that challenge what people think music should do.
I’m drawn to bridging old and new: bringing classical vocal techniques into dialogue with electronic experimentation, creating a handshake between past and future.
Punk Head: Have you ever had any particularly memorable experiences while experimenting with your work?
Ani Even: Most of the time, when I’m producing, writing, or singing, it’s a flow state - a boundless mental space. But one vivid memory was recording a nightingale with my partner in late spring, in the middle of a bog. The light was perfect, and I’d been chasing this elusive, ugly singer for days. I was about to give up and turn back when the bird finally revealed its voice. That moment felt like nature itself opening up and becoming part of the record.
