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10 Questions with ... Anderson East
September 28, 2015
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1. You did some shows in Europe this summer. What was that experience like?
It's been such an amazing journey filled with great people, great friends -- new and old, great music and lots of amazing places. We're looking forward to more of it.
2. For those that are not as familiar with you and your music, take us back when you were just a kid growing up in Alabama.
I don't think I understood what being a traveling musician was. I don't think I thought that was something that existed. Hell, I thought that that when you heard a song on the radio, that the people were actually at the station playing it. What got me going was (beyond the outlet that an electric guitar gives a frustrated adolescent) was recording. I had a 4-track tape recorder and that got me hooked. I just wanted to make records. From there everything spawned - writing, singing and performing. But in my little slice of north Alabama, there wasn't much of an outlet to foster that type of interest and because of that I had such an appetite for music -- one that still hasn't been fulfilled.
3) What did you learn from your early albums and EPs and playing live that you felt you wanted to infuse on your latest album, Delilah?
Well, like I said, I was always interested in making records and thusly I had developed somewhat of a skill set to know how to do it. So I had always been recording my own music.
4. But with "Delilah," you took of a hands-off approach to the technical side of recording.
Yes, I put all my focus on being behind the microphone. That only came though through trusting someone else to hold up the other end of the program. I found that in Dave Cobb, John Nettie and Darrell Thorp. There's no need to be the race car driver and the pit crew at the same time.
5. What was the inspiration for your "Satisfy Me?"
It came out of a conversation we were having about how when you're in that impressionable point in your life, there are moments that are so heavy that rock you to your core, but as you get older and more experienced, those moments become fewer. So the song stemmed from that and of course, you add in all failed relationships and then poof, "Satisfy Me" just falls out on the floor.
5. What was the first album you bought for yourself?
I can't remember what was first but I'll give you a small list of what I can remember having.
- Michael Jackson - Black or White (cassette single)
- Space Jam Soundtrack
- Eagles - Hell Freezes Over
- Backstreet Boys (No shame ... Had to take what you can get. Pickings were slim."
6. What was the first song you fell in love with and why?
I think it would have been "Black or White" or "Hotel California". That was the first song I learned to play.
7. What artists or bands are in current rotation for you?
Right now I'm listening to Brahms to make me feel civilized and cultured. But Donny Hathaway, The Eagles, jai Paul, Rod Stewart, Wilson Pickett, The Stones, Joe Cocker, MF Doom, Tom Waits, Aretha Franklin ... They're always in rotation.
8. What was it like to perform live on TV on "Late Night with Seth Meyers."
It was awesome, we had a great time doing that.
9. What is the Nashville scene like for you?
I've lived there for about eight years now and Nashville's a great place. It's a really good community. I don't think it's like a music business town; it's a town of musicians that are very supportive.
10) What's on tap next for you?
Starting early fall we'll be joining The Lone Bellow for what will be an amazing tour. Mostly we're all just excited to be doing what we're doing.
Editor's Note: Interview By Nicole DeRosa
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