In 2001, Sunshine Anderson made her debut on the music charts with a song that became an anthem of sorts for women fed up with lies and infidelity.
“Heard It All Before” from the album “Your Woman” offered a solid beginning for a would-be singer who got her big break in a chance meeting while a college student at North Carolina Central University. The album reached No. 5 on Billboard's Top 200.
Since then, Anderson has worked with Macy Gray, toured with R. Kelly, battled depression, alcohol and drugs, experienced the heartbreak of a failed marriage and the joy of motherhood. The North Carolina native, who has called Atlanta home for the last seven years, releases her third album, “The Sun Shines Again” this week.
She talked with us about the new album, recent hardships and life in Atlanta.
Your first single “Heard It All Before” was an anthem for many women. Does this album have a song that might resonate with female listeners the same way?
My first single "Lie to Kick It" has the same message. Sometimes men lie to cover up their wrongdoings, but sometimes men lie to make themselves look better or to make us [women] happy. Their intentions are good, but in the end, the truth always comes out.
You seemed to have experienced quite a bit of hardship between the success of your first album and your new album. How personal is this album?
This is my most personal album to date. It’s a “relationship album” and it reflects the last three years of my life. Everything I sing about, I've been through or I know that someone, somewhere has been through that. I've experienced success, failure, loss, heartaches, you name it. It was almost like therapy -- releasing all these emotions through music.
How different is it making music today versus when you were first discovered while singing in a cafeteria line at North Carolina Central University?
It's not too different as an artist because we put our heart and soul in it. I've always loved music and singing, but there was no pressure. I was singing other people's songs. Now, these are my songs, my experiences, and my emotions that when people criticize the music, it's hard not to take it personally. I put my all into it, and sometimes it's not enough for other people.
You moved to Atlanta several years ago. Was that for professional reasons? And what do you like most about living here?
Atlanta is a booming music town, but it's also where I have a lot of friends and family. I’ve called it home for so many years. Whether you’re going through tough times and good times, the only thing that matters is family and friends. This is where I wanted my daughter to grow up.
For the last few years. I've been working at Blendz Salon as a hairstylist. I love making people feel their best. The culture of the hair salon is one of community, friendship, fun, music, laughter and more. Day-to-day is never the same but it’s always full of excitement, and being in the music business is very much the same way.
Album release party
Sunshine Anderson will host an album release party for "The Sun Shines Again" Friday, Nov. 12 at Echelon 3000. Doors at 6 p.m. Admission is free until midnight. www.echelon3000.com , 404-294-1820.
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