100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Eight: Jason Anderson

instigated by dave heaton

Seemingly always on tour, Jason Anderson is one of the most enthusiastic musicians (people?) you'll ever see, playing each show like it's the most special night of his life. At a Jason Anderson show, the crowd/audience barrier breaks down, and everyone does feel like they're part of something special. His energy and enthusiasm are absolutely inspiring. And what's more, his songs themselves are fantastic; he has a way with words and melody, and with putting his own perspective on life into song. After releasing a couple more rock-oriented albums with Wolf Colonel, he's released three superb albums under his own name (all on K Records): Something/Everything, New England (one of my favorite albums of the past decade, at least), and The Wreath. His next album is coming soon. Songs can be heard on the K site and tour dates, etc. are on his website.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Playing shows!!! Getting totally crazy and pumped on music, *in the moment*, on the line, completely alive and ready to be awesome!!! Ready to connect, to rejoice, to feel something astonishing and real. Shows are the ultimate catalyst for the indescribable rush of existence and happiness.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

The bands who seem to take their audiences for granted, and often this goes hand in hand with presenting a detached, apathetic attitude as part of their "stage presence."

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

Touring! Recording! Riding my bike and absolutely loving the start of summer! Yesterday I went strawberry picking! Fruit rules!!!

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

Dave, you know me. I've literally played pizza parlours, ice cream shoppes, seafood restaurants, mom and pop bookstores, old timey theatres, attics, basements; heck, last summer there was a *mountaintop* show in western Massachusetts. Amazing!! Weird!! I just try to make the most out of every experience, regardless of venue, turn-out, etc. I've found that the point is how much fun you have! Feelings are feelings, and shouldn't be site specific. We've all seen some of the greatest, most life-altering performances in living rooms, with two dozen people present; likewise, I've certainly watched some very boring, alienating shows with thousands in attendance. All that should matter is the connection you feel to what is happening; if you are moved, it doesn't matter whether the show is in a famous club that's packed, or to five people in the woods. Does that make sense?

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

I am always traveling. I don't really have an official home, and haven't for the past three years. In this way I am constantly inspired by the everchanging shuffle of landscape and friends. There is so just so much happening, in our towns, our states, our regions, our country!!! So many great people everywhere. So many, and they are funny and smart, generous and welcoming.

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

I am always making up new songs, some that stick, some that I get really pumped on and then end up forgetting. I think I am just sort of addicted to music (in a good way). I love playing with friends, I love just playing, period. Jamming is so fun. I was recently in Europe and in Poland--I am just remembering this, and it's such a good memory--and about an hour before the show, this was in Wroclaw, i went down to a basement practice space and jammed with two incredible musicians. Local guys i had just met. I'm not sure how it even started, but we ended up making music for a while down there. I played Rhodes piano, and there was a drummer and a vibes player. Man, it was just awesome. The show was great, too, but the pre-show, utterly spontaneous improvisation was effing glorious.

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

I always want to find music that moves and inspires me.

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

In my answer to question two I was describing bands who seem to have a distanced, almost ambivalent attitude towards their audiences. Luckily, there are people out there who are truly ripping it up with inspiration, passion, conviction and a commitment to uplifting others to a place of shared joy and mutual triumph. Andrew WK, Tilly and the Wall, Harry and the Potters, The Paperbacks, Mount Eerie, and loads of others who still believe that live music can be special, and aren't afraid to make it entertaining, either. What these dudes and dudettes all have in common, i think, is that they seem committed to giving everything they can in an exciting and *inclusive* way. And that's wonderful, I think. And important.

Oh, Ted Leo, too.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

Gosh, there is just so much. How about the first Cyndi Lauper album? That is pretty amazing. The first song, 'Money Changes Everything'? Geez. Mindblowing.

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

Something by Bright Eyes, probably. No, just kidding. I don't know. Some Smiths song, maybe? 'I Know It's Over' off The Queen Is Dead? Oh, the last song on the first Son, Ambulance Album. 'Violet'. Very intense. Touching. Maybe not sad, per se. Emotional.

Whoa!!! Hold on!!!!!! Awesome Memory Part Two. Great way to end this Q & A!!! Me, in eleventh grade, sitting In my parents' minivan, outside Cricenti's, the grocery store I bagged at; I'm on break, it's dusk, it's the start of a blizzard and I am absolutely blasting 'Mayonaise' by Smashing Pumpkins, singing along, and just out-and-out weeping about a girl named Jen who I had a crush on, but we were "just friends." Perfect, no?

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.