Artist: Kasey Anderson, of Hawks & Doves
Hometown: Portland, OR
Latest album:Â From a White HotelÂ
Which artist has influenced you the most … and how?
In the course of writing From a White Hotel, the writer whose work I spent the most time with was Eve Ewing. Her book, Electric Arches, came with me every day to the studio.
What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?
In 2012, just before we went out on tour with Counting Crows, we spent about a week working as the backing band for Tim Rogers, who is one of my favorite songwriters. Pretending to be You Am I for a week was as much fun as Iâve ever had on stage.
What other art forms — literature, film, dance, painting, etc — inform your music?
Itâs all more or less connected to me. I mentioned Eve Ewing, whose poetry was a huge influence on me not necessarily because I wanted to borrow anything from her stylistically, but just in the sense that seeing someone do work of that quality is inspiring. I feel that way whether itâs looking at something Basquiat or Emory Douglas did or listening to Amanda Shires or Lydia Loveless or Mavis Staples. I walked out of Boots Rileyâs film, Sorry to Bother You, with that same feeling. I get that feeling eating Sean Brock or Gabriel Ruckerâs food. If you have to go out of your way to find inspiration, your eyes arenât open very wide.
What rituals do you have, either in the studio or before a show?
Itâs not a ritual per se but never underestimate the restorative power of a good lunch when making a record. That hour or so is absolutely sacred to me, I learned that early on from Eric Ambel.
Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?
Dinner with Boots Riley at Pizzaiolo in Oakland. The specific meal wouldnât matter much as Iâd probably be so nervous to be anywhere near Boots I doubt Iâd be able to keep anything down.
Photo credit: Jennie Baker
