Q&A with An Angle's Kris Anaya
By: Music Staff |
Thursday June 02, 2005 |
| Kris Anaya of An Angle, much like Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes (whom he is often compared to) is the sole constant member of an ever-evolving band. Enlisting the help of musician friends, Anaya self-released his debut, 2002's "And Take It With A Grain Of Salt" before Drive-Thru Records picked the album out and re-released it in late 2004. |
| Kris Anaya of An Angle, much like Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes (whom he is often compared to) is the sole constant member of an ever-evolving band. Enlisting the help of musician friends, Anaya self-released his debut, 2002's And Take It With A Grain Of Salt before Drive-Thru Records picked the album out and re-released it in late 2004. An Angle's latest opus, We Can Breathe Under Alcohol, was released by Drive-Thru on May 17th.
What's the last song that flat-out scared you? Umm...hasn't really happened yet. What was the worst show you ever played, and why? Lawrence, Kansas. Because The Faint was playing across the street and nobody was there, but i totally understand because The Faint is just an awesome band. What will you do immediately after completing this interview? Drink some orange juice. What song are you most proud of on this album? Why? "Angry Drunk," I think we captured the violin and viola and cello sound sooo amazingly. Me and Robert(engineer) jumped out of our seat we were so happy. What artists have you discovered in the last 6-12 months and how has their work influenced yours? A couple of weeks ago I found out about this band called Okay, and they just came out with a record called Highs and Lows, and it's blown me away. I haven't found influence for it yet because i just got it. Hehe. What other creative mediums would you ever care to dabble in? I want to write music for movies. I have always really been interested in doing that, so if you know somebody give me an e-mail. Michael Jackson - pedophile or misunderstood eccentric? Eccentric for sure. What would you like to come back as in a later life? Interesting question. A kittie of course. I love those little animals. What was your first live performance like? Very nervous. Nobody was there and I messed up a lot. Whose phone number would you most like? Hard to say...George Lucas'? What's your favorite sandwich? Veggie sandwhich, with avacado of course. As a kid, like 5-12 years old, what music did you listen to? Violent Femmes and a lot of 80's love music and punk...lots of punk. Who influenced (or dictated) what music you listened to when you were growing up (DJ, parents, siblings, classmates, captors, etc)? Brothers and my cousin, so basically they ruined my life. What periodicals, if any, do you subscribe to? Game Former Magazine. Name something non-musical (e.g. book, person, building, animal) that has inspired or influenced you. I like poets you know. Charles, Jack, Allen... Do you download music without paying for it? Umm I dont have a computer...I live in the dark ages. Can you read music? If yes, do you write your songs using musical notation? I can read Piano Notes, that's about it. I write my songs to keyboard sounds and record them. This is the age of electronics not paper and pen! Name a canonical, respected, revered artist whom you think is wildly overrated. Los Lonely Boys. Sorry guys, no offense. What one thing must you have on tour with you...? Reading material. Favorite beverage...? Bloody Mary. Favorite recreational tour stop...? A hotel when we can afford it. Got any pets...? No, BUT I WISH!! What other artists are you currently listening to...? Wilco, Bridges, Okay, Randy Newman. Who would you like a chance to collaborate / tour with...? Oh jeez A FEW BANDS! Jackpot, Dusty Brown I could go on forever but those bands I really would love to work with and tour with, plus they are from my hometown. What's the best thing about being a musician...? Writting a song you are proud of. Favorite fast food menu item...? Ewwwww. If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing...? Dream job, etc. Teacher. If you could go back in time and give Elvis Presley one piece of advice, what would it be? When you die, make sure not to be around a bathroom. What's the most truly subversive piece of music you know? "Needle In The Hay" by Elliot Smith; if you put it in that context. Frank Sinatra: toupee or no toupee? That's really interesting. I wouldn't really know actually and I am sorry. What was the first song you learned to play? puff the magic dragon, my mom taught it to me What was your first rock and roll record? Nirvana - In Utero, Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted, and Bad Religion - Suffer and many more. How much did luck have to do with your success? Too much. But the success thing hasnt really happened. In what country are your albums selling very well that might surprise the average American listener? I am not really sure. I will ask my label on Wednesday. Do you have a day job? If so, what is it? No, but when i get back home from touring I will be working at the shittiest job ever. Prior to becoming a full-time musician, what did you do for a living? Read, the ocassional panic attack, and asking myself the all knowing question of "Who am i going to be when i grow up?" Who is the best rock group/rap group/pop group/musical artist in the world right now (excluding yourself/your band)? MF Doom for the hip hop and Wilco for the pop. |
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