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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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