Annis Rallis, a 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Newton Aycliffe, is set to release the first single from her debut EP 'Eyes Wide Open' this month. The EP, inspired by her creative upbringing and energetic past, represents a labour of love years in the making.
From West End to Cruise Ships
Annis has performed in musical theatre productions across the world, including leading roles on cruise ships in Australia, stages of the West End, and tours across Europe. She trained at Newcastle College and Stockton Riverside College before attending drama school in London. Her mother was a dance teacher, and Annis was torn between dance and music. Her grandmother bought her a guitar from a car boot sale, leading to lessons and singing.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Annis said: 'I fell into musical theatre and had a really successful career doing it, but obviously being in the arts there’s also a lot of rejection. There were a lot of things on that journey that made me lose myself almost. I achieved what I wanted to do. I've covered leading roles, did Dirty Dancing European Tour which was a dream musical of mine since watching as a child. I did West Side Story too, one of my aunties who was a professional singer favourite musicals as well.'
A Spontaneous Move to Germany
Annis recalls landing a role in the leading German musical 'Tanz der Vampire' (Dance of the Vampires). Her agent told her to pack a suitcase because if she got the job, she would move there. She thought there was no chance but ended up getting the role and spontaneously moving to near Dusseldorf as an ensemble dancer. 'I’m a big believer in things happen for a reason and felt there was something about the leading role that would fit me so well. I had a strong gut feeling. Then Covid hit, I was locked down in Germany learning the language. I auditioned for the role and actually got it.'
She added: 'You need thick skin in the industry and I got to the point of facing difficulties. For me, a girl from England, playing one of the biggest German roles, was one of the hardest things I’ve done but it was the craziest journey and I’m so glad I did it. I did the show for about three years and even did the 25th anniversary with Bonnie Tyler and got to sing total eclipse of the heart in German on stage with the other two leading girls.'
Turning to Songwriting
Despite her success on stage, Annis candidly said: 'I feel I was doing my family proud in theatre, but never felt like that was where I was meant to be.' She travelled to Bali to take up yoga training, wanting to do something good for herself. This experience led her to pick up her pen. 'It was amazing and really connected me to myself. It made me journal and notice how I’m feeling. I think when you’re on stage and you’re acting, you’re wearing a mask a lot and playing a character, it’s very regimented and it really made me feel like ‘how is Annis feeling? What do I want?’'
She started songwriting in 2023, writing about relationships she had been in. Her new EP talks about resilience and rejection in the industry and rising strong, exploring themes of love, healing, growth and self-discovery. Annis, whose father is from Greece, brings Mediterranean and Latin influences into her music with a country twist.
Return to the North East
Since launching her music career, Annis has moved back to the North East. A few tracks have been played on BBC Introducing, described as 'cinematic storytelling'. She said: 'After travelling around the world I really missed home and my family as the last time I was here I was 18, I’m now 29. I want this to be my base and feel like the North East has so much to offer for the music industry and the amount of support I’ve had, even when first getting into songwriting.'
She added: 'I feel so grateful to have met so many people from different countries and seen parts of the world. I wouldn’t be who I am now without my theatre background but I feel like this path right now I’m really releasing so much that I may have concealed a bit… It’s like therapy really.'
Supportive Music Community
Annis describes the music scene in the North East as a family. 'Everyone helps everyone and everyone I’ve come across is so supportive, it’s a big community. Music is collaborative and you cross paths with people. There’s so much talent here, it just felt right, I feel at ease and it’s comforting to come back to something familiar that feels like home to me.'
She has started gigging at Stack Newcastle and other original gigs. 'I’ve just picked my guitar up again after years of being on stage and it’s been a full circle moment after I started off as a young girl with this guitar.'
