Interview: Emily Anderson

Like stumbling into a rose garden on a trek through the arctic, listeners of Emily Anderson’s music find themselves helplessly lifted into a world so hauntingly familiar, and yet so enchantingly curious. Anderson’s music is as shaped by this whimsical perspective as it is by her musical credentials. A multi-instrumentalist trained at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Anderson fills her songs with images of nature, hope, and the solar system, not to mention a few puns. Anderson hails from Fairbanks, Alaska, and now splits her time between her hometown and Los Angeles. 

In recent years, Anderson has lent her skills to video games and game trailers Calico and The Stars Between Us, and shared bills with Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Peter Mulvey, and Aurora Birch. She’s toured across Alaska, the west coast, and Canada. She has also released three new singles, “Sarah,” “Gold,” and, on February 5, 2021, “Hugs.” The second, “Gold,” has been placed in a national ad campaign with Miller Lite, and was a finalist in both the American Songwriter and Songwriting University Song Contests. These songs, which tackle subjects like grief, mental illness, friendship, and pandemic isolation, are optimistic as well as raw. Anderson’s music reflects her determination to find light in tough times.

We love your latest single 'Hugs'!! Congratulations! How did the song come about?

I wrote "Hugs" while I was quarantining in my parents' basement in Alaska. It was one of those songs that just poured out of me and seemed effortless to write - it was too honest not to release. I feel like the chorus captures a pretty relatable sentiment: "I can't wait to hug all my friends again."

How long was it in the works?

I wrote the song in July 2020 and recorded the demo not long after. The rest of the song was lovingly piece-mealed together by the engineering magic of Sarah Tudzin. It features friends from all corners of the continent - California, Ontario, Alaska, and Colorado. Fun fact - the demo vocals are actually what we ended up using in the final version! So you can picture me singing them in a closet in Alaska if that's fun for you.
Did you record it with anyone?
This song features the talents of some of my closest friends - which makes it even more special to me. It features the talents of Pamela Lord, violin, Travis Burrows, drums, Chris Rolontz, bass, and Sarah Tudzin, guitar. The background choir at the end features the talents of Tristan Hovest, along with Pamela Lord, Jordan King, Mike Adams, Rob Ballantine, Christi Bailey and Kat Kennedy. Each of these parts was recorded separately, the vocalists safe in their own quarantine pods. I feel like that's what makes the nostalgia so palpable - it sounds like a group of friends singing around a campfire but in reality we were all in our little closets in our own corners of the world.

Were there any challenges that you got through in the recording process?

Recording in quarantine is definitely a challenge! I'd much prefer to be in a studio with all of my friends and figure out an arrangement together, but that simply hasn't been possible. In some ways it was a gift though, since it meant I asked players based on their skills and not just their location. It took a few failed attempts and re-tracking, but luckily all of these players are amazing and I feel like it came together exactly as it was meant to.

What did you learn in 2020 with your music that you're now able to do in this new year?

I feel like we've all learned so much this year. I've learned the value of taking breaks and allowing for space. I think there are a lot of aspects of being forced to slow down that have been beneficial for my own mental health - but on the other side of that coin, I've learned I thrive best when I feel connected to my community. That's been a challenge but I am grateful that technology allows us to keep in touch with loved ones near and far.

How motivated are you right now?

To be completely honest, I laughed out loud reading this question. Some days I'm super motivated, others not so much. That's being a human. I'm allowing myself to acknowledge these peaks and valleys, rest when I need to, and know that I'm moving forward. I'm focusing on making music that brings me joy, healing, and collaborating with people I admire and respect.

Can you give any advice to the artist that is struggling with being motivated?

I would say connecting and collaborating with other artists has been my biggest motivator this year. It's so easy to isolate and get in your own head that you forget there's a world out there that needs music. It needs your music!

Where can our readers stream 'Hugs' and follow you?!

You can find "Hugs" everywhere you can stream music.
Socials
facebook.com/emilyandersonakinstagram.com/emilyandersonak
Streaming & Downloadhttps://open.spotify.com/album/0Jpp6QXkAJhcqtZVjwLgmthttps://music.apple.com/us/album/hugs-single/1550411948?at=1000lM6c&uo=4&app=applehttps://music.apple.com/us/album/hugs-single/1550411948?at=1000lM6c&uo=4&app=ituneshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMXHK63?tag=fndcmpgns-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1https://emilyandersonak.bandcamp.com/track/hugs