Ania Hoo discusses her new EP, Morning Star
Ania Hoo is a very dynamic artist in today’s landscape who is undoubtedly leaving a tremendous mark. This is in part to the world she has been authentically building through the glamorous sounds of Disco, Funk and House influenced music.
A native of New Jersey who is now based in New York City, What makes Ania brilliant is how she’s been able to create within the Disco genre using her life experiences as inspiration to what she described as “letting your heart ache on the dance floor.”
There’s an intentionality to her creative process that comes from being comfortable in the growth she’s seen in herself from the time she released her first EP, PURE, up to this point of a new stellar 4-song EP, Morning Star: Side A, which features the popular records ‘555’ and ‘Make Me Up.’ It is the perfect introduction to a name you are sure to become familiar with.
Editor-In-Chief, Alex Cherry sat down with the talented star to talk about the creative process of Morning Star, the importance of Disco as a genre, what the rest of her 2026 looks like and more.
Ania Hoo for Novice Principles
Cherry: With you being in the spotlight, how’s your mental health been?
Ania: It’s been okay for the most part. I’m glad summer is coming around.
Cherry: How has the reception been around the EP?
Ania: I’m very happy to have it out. I’ve received a lot of beautiful messages. The EP reflects me and is an updated version of me. It’s really good for the summer, which is why I think people have been receptive to it.
Cherry: What’s this process been like between finishing VENUS and moving into the Morning Star era?
Ania: Morning Star is a continuation of the VENUS era. It’s a play on words for the nickname of the planet. It’s more in tune with what that feeling is to me and a more reflective version of VENUS.
Cherry: So it seems you’re very aligned with the universe?
Ania: I try to be. I’m not a pro. I like to be introspective and pay attention to the signs in my life as I create.
Cherry: What’s been the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself through this process?
Ania: Since my first EP, PURE, that period was a step out of my comfort zone. I wasn’t writing from experience, more from what I desired. Venus was things I experienced and moments in my life. Morning Star is a continuation of Venus and the end of those experiences as my life changes in reflection.
Cherry: So Morning Star is personal?
Ania: Exactly. Pure is just that, “Pure.” I hadn’t lived all my life experiences yet, and still haven’t. A lot can change in three to four years.
Cherry: Let’s take a step back to talk about your heritage and the influences in your music.
Ania: I’m influenced by a lot of different styles. I grew up around reggae but fell in love with disco, house, and funk. I loved the purity and vulnerability in that music, but it was still fun compared to traditional R&B, which I still enjoy. I prefer being emotionally vulnerable in that way.
Cherry: These are your experiences, which is okay.
Ania: Yes. My music is usually the first reflection of me to other people. I’m shy, but I do want everyone to still get to know me through my music.
Cherry: Do you remember your first experience with dance and disco?
Ania: Yeah, it was definitely searching the web and looking at old videos of Loleatta Holloway, Donna Summer, and old disco groups. I like to listen to singles from artists that didn’t make it big. Prince and Michael Jackson also helped me get into something funkier on a mainstream level.
Cherry: Take us through deciding to continue doing these shorter EPs.
Ania: This iteration is Morning Star: Side A. There’s going to be a Side B. I decided to do it like this because I like to enjoy music several times until I’m absolutely tired of it.
I don’t make music at a speed where I’m continuously releasing. I make music as I’m inspired and feeling reflective. Side A is fun and gives the tone of what I reflect and what summer is to me.
I remember the night I texted my producer [okay Coleman!] about this idea I had to make happy heartbreak music. I was serious, and the first song we made was “555.” That helped me know what direction I wanted to go in for the entirety of Morning Star.
Cherry: You talked a little about your main producer, okay Coleman!. Can you tell us about your working relationship with him?
Ania: He’s like my big brother, especially with this project because it felt like therapy. I don’t collaborate with many people, not because I don’t want to, I’m just usually in my shell. When I’m in the studio with him, he doesn’t just tell me to put lyrics on a notepad. He asks questions, and we converse about why I’m saying certain lyrics. It feels good knowing nothing is in vain and my songs have purpose. I can call on him for advice on anything. It feels like a partnership.
Ania: The New York art scene has been receptive and supportive of the music I make. They welcomed me with open arms as someone who isn’t originally from New York.
Cherry: So what does the rest of the year look like?
Ania: Look out for more shows and Morning Star: Side B. Keep listening to Morning Star because these songs are meant for the summer.
Morning Star is for the lovers who still want to love through heartbreak. Let your heartache out on the dance floor and continue to love.
