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Theresa Andersson :: Pool Table in Philly
Jake Krolick |
Theresa Andersson's relationship with the music world seems to parallel some of the great female performers of the past such as Carly Simon or Janis Joplin. She has a bold air about her, and her vibrant smile and smoldering voice drive a soul wild. Her stroke on the violin is like the devil touching the fiddle. She's been called the "Diva of New Orleans" and "a love child of Bonnie Raitt and Dave Matthews." Her voice has been described as "a choir of angels singing" and "a voice like golden honey." She's been recommended by everyone from Jon Gutwillig of the Disco Biscuits to Aaron Neville, and her recent adventures have included an invitation to play at the Fender Stratocaster 50th Anniversary celebration with greats such as Joe Walsh and David Gilmour. Theresa has even sung her way into a cameo in the new movie "A Love Song for Bobby Long." The creative energy just flows from her like it's coming up out of a well. It's no wonder that everyone wants to share a piece of stage with the lady from Sweden.
I had a quick opportunity to share a piece of her time while she was touring with the Spirit of Guthrie. Unfortunately, the evening's show was cancelled, but Theresa was a class act. She stayed around for two interviews and a quick pool table performance.
JamBase: You say the most important thing to you is to feel an audience connection. "Good music can't happen without energy from both sides." I witnessed an incredible connection between you and the audience at the Allgood Festival this past summer, especially during the song "Good Girl." Could you share with me some other connections you have had with audiences that are memorable?
Theresa Andersson :: Jazz Fest 2003 |
Theresa: Sure, the audience connection is about you singing about something the audience can relate to. Take for instance the "Good Girl" song. Girls can relate to that feeling of being a little naughty, but at the same time being good. Of course, the guys like that or can relate to that, so both groups really enjoy when I sing that song. Whenever I sing a song that has lyrical matter, whether it's heartfelt, a break-up, or some sort of triumph in my life, I can share that connection with people and get it out, and they say, "Yeah, we know. We've been there."
Sometimes you want to be fun, and you want to show off a little. My best story is from Jazz Fest three years ago. The crowd had grown to about seven or eight thousand people. I walked out onstage in a bikini top and a skirt. About halfway thru the set, I dropped the skirt to reveal nothing but body paint. All seven thousand people, dare I say, simultaneously inhaled and sucked the air out of where I was standing.
JamBase: That's great!
Theresa: It's entertainment. You can't always do those crazy things. Every now and then, I like to push it to be just a bit unpredictable. Sometimes I'll do numbers where I'll just sing and play violin, like on this tour. That brings a different type of response from the audience.
JamBase: So does the mood of your performance reflect the audience's mood or vice-versa?
Theresa Andersson by Jake Krolick |
Theresa: Sometimes it will affect how I choose my next song, but a lot of times I have a clear idea of where I want the set to go. I guess I try to lead the audience a certain way with the show. Lately, I have tried to quiet it down more and make it more about the intimacy of my voice and not being on top of my lungs the whole time. In doing so, I have to get that quiet intensity which kind of helps to bring people in with vocal enticement. It can be a bit more mystical and I've been having fun playing like that.
Do you write your own songs? Place me in your shoes for the song writing process.
I write a majority of them, and I co-write with people. Sometimes I sing other people's songs and have success with them. "Good Girl" isn't my song. It's from a song writer in New Orleans. I always try to say something with my songs, but lately it's been quite an effort for me. I haven't been able to bring out what I have wanted to convey emotionally, and I work off of emotions a lot. I'm not a really wordy person. I try to communicate in other ways. I'm searching right now for the means and the ways to express that. When I do write, it comes from reading something, or talking to someone. When I travel, I do keep some notes. If there's something that moves me, I'll write it down. For instance, when I watch those long-legged mosquitoes flying into the light at the nighttime - Why do they just keep diving into the light?
In what direction do you think your music is going?
Theresa Andersson by Amy Dickerson |
It's subject to change. I actually just read an interview with a musician from Canada that said they just wanted to do a key change for their next album, and the album comes out and it sounds totally different. I am thinking "What?" but it sounds gorgeous. I guess I would like to do something with that quality and integrity.
So are you pushing towards what might be considered a more mainstream or pop-oriented career?
No, I don't think that's me. I am definitely in a different arena then that, and I think I draw on a slightly older audience. Not that I don't watch MTV. That's just more pop then I want to be. I love Americana and Roots and I love jamming, but I am definitely searching for a cohesive something that has a line through it - a story in a record similar to what I present in my show. That could possibly take off into something big. I am not trying to be anything popish.
It's interesting to hear your stance because, at least with the recognition you've received and the movie cameos, it felt like you might be moving toward that mainstream exposure.
Well yeah, at one time it was leaning that way a little bit. It was cool because it got us some more recognition and opened more doors such as television and film. I am going to continue to open up more inside myself that's interesting and try to share that in a fun way.
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The crowd had grown to about seven or eight thousand people. I walked out onstage in a bikini top and a skirt. About halfway thru the set, I dropped the skirt to reveal nothing but body paint. All seven thousand people, dare I say, simultaneously inhaled and sucked the air out of where I was standing.
--Theresa Andersson |
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Photo by Amy Dickerson
Can you tell me what made you push into doing acting, television and film, and the soundtracks?
Theresa Andersson by Amy Dickerson |
I wouldn't really call it "acting" because it has just been a cameo in a scene with the band playing in the background. In "A Love Song for Bobby Long," my interaction with John Travolta was very brief. It wasn't a matter of having a bunch of lines. It was more of getting some good eye contact and leaning into him. I enjoyed doing that. I find that music is my thing, but it's fun to perform and do something that's artful by finding different ways to express yourself. Being [involved] in TV and film is just another way to bring that across. This year we've had a lot of movies shooting in New Orleans and looking for music. This was a great opportunity to use to our advantage.
Who are some of your favorite musicians to collaborate with?
I really enjoy working with the North Mississippi Allstars. Lately, I've been working with the North Mississippi Allstars more then most. These guys [on The Spirit of Guthrie Tour] Rob [Wasserman], Jim [Page], and Vince [Herman] are all amazing musicians. It's been fun to have that upright bass on my songs with me. All these people are really free flowing. On Jam Cruise, I sat in with just about everyone. I played with Ozomatli. Their singer just killed me. He has such a great voice, and I got to play violin with them. Eric Krasno played guitar with me on my set on Jam Cruise, which was very cool. Those are some recent collaborations that I've enjoyed, but there are always things coming up. Jazz Fest is another huge time for mixing musicians. A couple of the guys from Umphrey's McGee are going to come and play with me on my Jazz Fest set. I extended my welcome to them because they put me on many of their shows.
What about Widespread Panic. They'll be at Jazz Fest also...
Theresa Andersson by Ross Foote |
I know! I am psyched. I know George [McConnell], their guitar player, and he and I have been talking. Here's a funny story. I actually have had an image of myself onstage for one of their Halloween shows. During the 2002 New Orleans show, there were two cardboard cutouts on the stage. One was a flasher, and the other was a hooker girl. It was my picture used as that hooker cutout. So, I have been on stage with them, just not in person. So we'll see. Hopefully next time, I'll be there in person.
Tell me about Monkey Ranch. Do you have any shows planned specifically with the Neville Brothers or the Radiators?
Not with them as Monkey Ranch, but the Bayous Rendezvous is happening again. Monkey Ranch is on the back burner for a while. I usually end up sitting in with the Radiators whenever I get the chance.
How did you end up on tour with Vince Herman, Rob Wasserman, and Jim Page?
Theresa Andersson by Amy Dickerson |
Through our agents I believe, because we're both with The Agency Group. I haven't asked them that question, but I think they were all talking as they do. I came up in the conversation, and they were thrilled at the idea of having me come along. So it's been great, and the music has just flowed.
Since the tour is about Woodie Guthrie, what are some of your first memories of him?
You know what, I didn't know that much about Woodie Guthrie, and I didn't even realize that "This Land is Your Land" was his song until I looked it up. I wanted to know who this Guthrie guy was. I learned a lot about him on this tour, but that song is ingrained - I have been singing it forever.
"Alice's Restaurant" is a famous Arlo Guthrie [Woodie's son] record and song title. Since the song focuses on a wild story happening around Thanksgiving, perhaps you have a crazy family story to share from the holidays?
I grew up in Sweden, and we have this Christmas tree tradition in my family. I grew up on a farm, and I was the first one who wanted a horse. Soon that bug bit everyone in my family, so we all had horses. We loved to ride, so every Christmas we would ride out into the woods. My dad would ride the big horse, and my brother and I would ride the other smaller horses. We would go out all day to find our Christmas tree. My dad would get down, and we would hold his horse while he cut down the perfect tree. Eventually, he would hook it up to the horse. Each year, my dad and the horse would always try to outrun us and the tree. My brother and I would always end up way behind, riding as fast as we could, screaming "Wait dad!" I guess this memory is more sentimental. It's a day with our dad in the forest, the silliness coming home, and the smells coming into the house that mom's cooking created. My family is pretty mellow, so no real craziness - just down to Earth.
Theresa continued right into another short interview that touched upon her favorite places to shop, pets, and a funny story about a nickname she acquired from a previous tour. The nickname was "Spicy Marinara," but that's a story for another time. Theresa was off to a few South Street record stores on the hunt for old vinyl and another adventure.
Jake Krolick
JamBase | Worldwide
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