JASON ANDERSON (a.k.a. WOLF COLONEL) INTERVIEW
by Keith J. Varadi

Jason Anderson, once known to the music world as Wolf Colonel, has gradually shed the quirky moniker through a handful of recent releases on K Records. Sometimes his music is folksy and sparse (like his last two releases, New England and The Wreath), and other times it's rich and suffused with energy (more like his split disc with The Paperbacks).

His tunes aren't always as cheerful as his attitude, but the honesty and sincerity of the offerings almost convince you that everything is okay - and that's the only way he'd have it. So go ahead and download as many of his songs as you can find - really, he'd love you to. But if you've got an extra Jackson , just go halfsies on a dime bag this time around and spend the rest on one of Jason's albums - he'd love that even better.

Deek: So when do you decide to use the moniker Wolf Colonel and when do you decide to go by your birth name?

Jason: When I first started performing, I was a little bit self-conscious/totally scared of using my own name. I liked the anonymity of hiding behind a "band name," even though it was just me, playing acoustic guitar. It was easier, in a weird way! There was a bit more mystery, and that totally appealed to me. When I made the transition to performing with a band, the WC title just sort of stuck, for better or worse. For now, the Wolf Colonel name is no more. Just me! Jason Anderson! Yay!

Deek: Why did you choose Colonel over Captain or Lieutenant? Was there any reason or did you just think it phonetically sounds cooler?

Jason: Good question. I think, to be honest, I mean, I was eighteen and just sort of looking for a funny, weird name that kind of sounded like Def Leppard! I remember sitting at the computer, making the flyer for my first ever show, and I was like, "Hmm, what should I call this? How about Wolf Colonel?! And then laughing and thinking, "That is so weird!" and then just using it! Sweet! I guess it was the same sort of poetic, free-word association that created names like Neutral Milk Hotel, although I had never heard of any bands like that at the time. I remember wanting something enigmatic and silly, in a Dungeons and Dragons sort of way. I never thought I would last more than one show, but, hmm, I guess it did.

Deek: You've been quite an indie slut, wouldn't you say? I mean, you've floated around, musically hooking up some big names from places like Portland , Omaha , Olympia , etc. But I guess maybe it's more a familial affair where you all just want to share - a lot of musicians today seem to be sort of members of larger regional families in areas like those. Slut or share?

Jason: Hah! That's awesome. I never thought of it like that. It's totally sharing. I think the bottom line is, when you do something, whether it's go on a road trip, or plan an awesome dance party, or, heck, make a record, you want to do it with friends, with people you love, with people who make you laugh and think and feel alive; so I've just been lucky enough to meet a lot of fantastic people, and be able to see what's going on with them, and sometimes help out the best I can. It's really great!

Deek: You constantly tour and I have heard you will play anywhere. Have you ever played a Bah Mitzvah?

Jason: I haven't! But would love to. I mean, seriously, I just want to play shows and make friends and share music. I'll really play anywhere, anytime. It's so awesome. One of my best shows was to eight people, in a driveway in Tulsa , Oklahoma . There's this weird misconception that shows have to be in bars and clubs to be "real." I would argue that the awesome little house shows to a dozen friends are much more "real" and special and memorable than seeing some band at a boring bar where people, for the most part, feel detached and inhibited. Not to say that bar or club shows can't be cool, because they totally can, but sometimes they just make people feel a certain way, like maybe they can't approach the band, or can't talk to other people there, and that is just not true at all!

Deek: You didn't stop in Pittsburgh for the "Zoo TV" Tour, but you promised me you'd drop by the next time you're on the road. Can I hold you to that?

Jason: Yes! I want to come to Pittsburgh so bad. Steel town! I've had some super fun shows there!

Deek: You seem like a really nice guy and you pride yourself on intimate, passionate performances, which your fans really seem to appreciate and hold on to. Did your favorite bands you grew up listening to connect with you at your shows or did the fact that they didn't prompt you to be more personal?

Jason: That is such a great question! Wow. You are awesome. Man, I think, to be honest, what has really motivated me is how frustrated I get with the traditional "indie rock" show, where it often feels more like a middle school dance than a concert! People are often more concerned with what everyone else is wearing (and if they wore the right thing!) than connecting and falling in love and just exploding with the music and emotion. I remember when shows used to be the highlight of a week, month - heck - of a year, where you would look forward to a show for so long, and then talk about it for days afterwards. I want to remember, again, that music and human interaction can be that powerful and inspiring.

Deek: Even though you love to have these close-to-the-crowd shoes, at some points, when there is trouble with the van or you're tired of Taco Bell, you must be like, "TRL might not be that bad. Those guys got it all figured out." even if you snap out of it right after.

Jason: I don't know. I mean, I think I have a somewhat different idea of "success." I just love being able to play these shows where we can all sing-along, and feel alive, and just have an awesome time. And so much of the best parts of touring have nothing to do with the shows! It's about making new friends, visiting old ones, going to find the great mom and pop restaurant, exploring new cities, staying up late talking about politics or just watching the Simpsons, making breakfast, exchanging email addresses, just connecting! It's so exciting and I really feel like it's the best part of being alive. The exchange of humanity and just the fun of interacting with amazing people across the country, and getting to see what they do in their town, and getting to add something, or just be a small part of it is magical! I am making a little bit of money, just enough to make it work, and that's really all I need!