By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Throughout the course of his music career, “gradually retiring songwriter” Kasey Anderson has dealt with plenty – viral popularity for his 2018 song “The Dangerous Ones,” the loss of his father, incarceration and a global pandemic to top it off.
Earlier this year, he dropped two records via Nervous Kid Records – ‘Let The Bloody Moon Rise’ and the live-recorded ‘Wednesday Night, Round Nine.’
‘Let The Bloody Moon Roar’ was produced by Kurt Bloch and had been shelved while Anderson received treatment and was in prison, never getting a proper release. A decade in the making, it features Anderson backed by the likes of Andrew McKeag (Presidents Of The United States Of America), Ty Bailie (Katy Perry), Eric Corson (The Long Winters, Perfume Genius) and Mike Musburger (The Fastbacks, The Posies) and joined by Jeff Fielder (Mark Laegan, Amy Ray), David Immergluck (Counting Crows), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and Tim Rogers (You Am I).
Most recently, Anderson released “Mercy (Feat. The Honkies),” the first single to come from ‘Daytrotter Sessions,’ slated to drop on Nov. 12, 2021.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with Anderson about what he has been up to lately and more.
Music Bugle – How would you describe the music put out this year?
Kasey Anderson – ‘Let The Bloody Moon Rise’ is a record we made 10 years ago that never got an official release because I went to treatment and was then incarcerated. Better late than never, I guess. It’s rock n’ roll. I don’t know how else to describe it.
Music Bugle – What has been your biggest challenge lately?
Kasey Anderson – My biggest challenge lately has been trying to keep any sort of natural-feeling rhythm to my life. I think everyone is going through that to varying degrees at all times and especially now and I’m fortunate that most of my challenges revolve around balancing work and having a very young daughter.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Kasey Anderson – I work at a non-profit organization for people in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders, so what I’ve seen over the last two years is people having to ground their recovery in something other than person-to-person contact and a lot of people have struggled with having to make that transition without warning or preparation. Not everyone has a laptop, or internet access, or a smartphone. Not everyone can shift to a Zoom-based lifestyle and there’s a lot of inequity of resources, services and supports in the recovery community the same way there is in everything else in this country. That has been frustrating, to say the least and it has presented my organization with a lot of challenges in terms of making sure the people who need the supports and services we provide have access to them.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt musicians?
Kasey Anderson – I suppose it depends on the person. Some people have a very healthy relationship with social media. I do not, so I try not to use it often. Right now, with a record out, I’m online more than usual and more than I’d like to be.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Kasey Anderson – Always You Am I, always Stevie Wonder, always Aretha, always Monk. Todd Snider, Anjimile, Jaime Wyatt and Erica Blinn.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Kasey Anderson – Toni Cade Bambara once said, “It is the role of the artist to make the revolution irresistible.”
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need an escape?
Kasey Anderson – Lately? The kitchen. When I felt I could safely travel, the Oregon Coast.
Music Bugle – What has been your proudest accomplishment to date?
Kasey Anderson – My recovery remains the thing I am most proud of.
Music Bugle – What does today’s music industry need less of?
Kasey Anderson – White male country singers.
Music Bugle – What advice would you give younger musicians just starting out?
Kasey Anderson – Practice listening as much as you practice playing.
