Jason Anderson is not a myth, a giant, or even a demigod. Yet he has taken upon himself the herculean task of reminding us that NO!, we are not too cool to have fun. That YES!, this night can be the best night of your life! In the past, his musical punch was a bit more subtle (or, in the way past, a bit rougher), but with Tonight, Jason's upcoming album to be released August 21, the stops have been pulled. No longer can we sit around and listen to Jason croon as the snow falls. The sun's up and shining, and Tonight is all about getting out there, dancing, and really feeling what it means to be inspired by that great pop song coarsing through your bones.
The internet cites The Best as your band for the songs on the new album, but no more information on the band is available. Are they the ones backing you up on Tonight? What's their story?
Yes. The Best is Joe DeGeorge, Juliet Nelson, Gregg Porter, Djim Reynolds and David Sapienza. They are some of my best friends and some of the best musicians I know. Thus the name, which started as an endearing joke, but, like all band names, stuck. I love these people. They're amazing! Such solid people, and awesome players!
The mood of the album, musically, is obviously upbeat, but the lyrics can sometimes give a sense of longing. Would you say this a happy or sad album?Much like life, I'm hoping that it's both. Triumphant and melancholic, hopeful and cautious, joyous and wistful. There are lots of songwriters who just write sad songs, and some who are only happy. I think my favorites, though, are the ones that capture both. I'm still learning as I go, but I'm proud of these songs. I think they turned out okay.
You have created a distinct lo-fi sound (not far from Elliott Smith) in the past. Why the change to a more polished (and faster) sound?Well, I think like anything one does, the way I write and record music has changed through the years. With this album we were simply trying to capture a certain feeling, and put the energy of the live shows into a recorded project. It worked for the most part. I'm pretty psyched with it. Thanks for asking.
The past two albums were definitely more "wintery", making Tonight feel even more like Spring than it does on its own. Is there a Summer album in the future?I'm glad you noted the winter elements! Thank you! That's exciting to know it came across. Actually, with New England, I was going for autumn--my most favorite season--but, yes, The Wreath is straight snow. There is definitely a summer album coming, but also another winter one, that I hope will be released by December. Thanks for asking!
I have to ask: how does it feel being part of one of indie music's first "wolf" bands?Awesome question. Well, you know, it is weird to think I picked the Wolf Colonel name in 1996. That's so long ago! Weird! I can remember making a poster for my first show, ever. I was a little apprehensive of going under my own name, so I tried to think of a weird, heavy metal sounding band name that would mislead and possibly distance people. Then I wrote down "The Wolf Colonel" and it seemed funny. And it lasted. A while, anyway. But, yeah, weird to see all these wolf names. It's cool, though. It's not like they are ripping me off. I don't think many people have heard of Wolf Colonel. Haha. And that's okay.
You are getting a considerable following and a lot more attention. Why stick to the smaller venues?You are being generous here--and I thank you for flattering me--but, to some extent, yes, I suppose anyone is likely to make more friends when they tour full-time for five straight years, which is what I've been up to. When I play solo I don't use a microphone, so smaller rooms are better. But regardless of size, I simply prefer art spaces and houses to bars. But I have played bars, also.
You obviously love putting on shows and connecting with the audience. Do any shows stand out in your mind? Good or bad.Every night for the past five years has felt like the best show of my life, the first show of my life, the only show of my life. It's absolutely impossible to pick a highlight. Either alone, or with the band, I give 600% regardless of how many people are there. It's my favorite thing to do, and I feel immensely lucky to do it. Live music RULES.
You've mentioned going to a lot of shows when you were younger, and the importance of a show being a time when people can really connect to each other. What is one of the best shows you went to?Gosh. So many pivotal moments as a kid. Seeing Green Day on the Dookie tour playing UMASS; then seeing FUGAZI at a medium-sized gymnasium in Vermont. The juxtaposition was incredible and inspiring. I think the show that has left the biggest impression on me, though, was being eighteen and seeing Elliott Smith play a coffee shop--Umbra Penumbra--in Portland, Oregon. It was stunning. Also, seeing Unwound and KARP play Olympia, Washington in 1996 was mindblowing.
Is touring more of a solitary experience, or do you usually carry an entourage of friends with you on tour?I've done both, and I enjoy both. When you're alone you have more time in the drives to be introspective, think about life, listen to music and make random pitstops. But with a group there is the awesome potential for conversation, jokes and mini-golf trips. It rules.
Are you working on any other projects?Sure, always. I love playing with my friends. I have had the utmost pleasure of getting to back up my friends Mara, Guy and Gregg. They are all incredible songwriters from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I just love making music; and I'm just as happy playing with friends as I am playing my own show. Oh, also Brian Michael Roff. I've been playing a little bass with him. He's great. I've also played some drums for Harry and the Potters, and some guitar with Mount Eerie.
After dropping the Wolf Colonel name, your sound definitely slowed, but with Tonight it has come back up to speed (though definitely more poppy). Do you feel like you have come full circle at all?Well, I think it's always been the same, and always a mix, you know? Wolf Colonel actually started as a solo-acoustic projected, heavily inspired by the Elliott Smith show I saw. Then I went full band, but then dropped the name, then went acoustic again, and now have explored both, touring solo and then touring with the group. So it's always changing and always the same, if that makes sense. Sorry for the confusing answer!
What do you think is the biggest difference between the music you made as Wolf Colonel and the music you're making now as Jason Anderson?No difference, really. It was just a name to hide behind. I think maybe the concerts are different because when I first started Wolf Colonel, as it were, I was more shy and not as comfortable with myself and thusly not as comfortable in front of others. But now I feel awesome about life and just love playing music and connecting with people SO MUCH!
So when are you coming out to Pittsburgh again?Hopefully sooner than later. I love Steeltown. Thanks so much for the interview, man! It's great to talk about this stuff. Excellent questions.
No, no, thank you.