I’m gonna stick with the Springsteen groove here and introduce you to my new favorite musician.
This is Jason Anderson.
And here he is again:
And here he is again:
Needless to say, I’ve heard he puts on a hell of a show.
I got into Jason Anderson randomly one day through browsing on Hype Machine. He reminds me a lot of Bruce Springsteen’s early stuff, although his lyrics are much different – in the early 70s, Bruce was still trying to be a street prophet, and Jason Anderson just wants everyone to have as much fun as he’s having. These are two tracks, one from his newest album, “The Hopeful and the Unafraid,” and the title track from his “Tonight,” which is STILL around at Plan 9 Records, for all you Richmonders. I’m trying to convince him to come to Richmond to play a show – please, Jason, Richmond needs you.
I also love that he prefers playing house parties and campfires instead of clubs. It’s always so much more rewarding to be surrounded by a dozen or two of your friends, sweating and singing along as loudly as they can, rather than playing to a larger crowd and not connecting at all. Jason Anderson isn’t in it to get rich or famous (I mean, he did an entire tour on a BICYCLE, for chrissakes), he’s in it because music makes him feel alive like nothing else can, and because he wants to share it with you. And you, too. And also you.
I’m not usually that vocal about supporting specific musicians. I know Bruce Springsteen’s wallet won’t be hurting that much if I throw an mp3 of “Backstreets” online. And I know that Jason Anderson isn’t doing this to make tons and tons of money (he’s released six or seven albums this year, all but two of them free), but please buy his albums. See him play, wherever, whenever, and as often as you can. When I first heard “Tonight,” I said to myself, “This is the guy I’ve been looking for my whole life. This is the music that makes me feel more alive than ever.” And now you can, too! Enjoy!
