- Danielle Ate the Sandwich - © Danielle Anderson
Danielle Anderson quietly began posting homemade videos of her musical performances on YouTube some years back. Danielle has a soulful voice combined with a silly sense of humor. After two homemade CDs, Danielle Ate the Sandwich is finally about to release her first studio recording entitled Two Bedroom Apartment. So who is Danielle Anderson anyway? Suite101 had the special privilege of an email interview with Danielle.
Why do you think the ukulele is enjoying such a resurgence in popularity?
"It’s obviously natural for things to come back in style after 30 years or so, and the ukulele has a certain timeless and classic novelty. It’s cute and small, but it’s still an instrument that can make nice sounds and do good things. I also feel that the musicians who are picking it up today are using the ukulele in ways that it hasn’t been considered to be used, and that’s given it a fresh and more serious side. We can sing sad songs on the ukulele now!"
How will your new album be different than your previous ones?
"The new album, Two Bedroom Apartment, will be my first studio recorded album. It’s very professional! The first two albums I released, self-titled Danielle Ate the Sandwich and Things People Do, were very modest attempts to share my music with other people. This new album is not only a step forward for me personally as a musician and songwriter, but I think it will be a step forward for anyone who has heard my music before. The new album will also feature other musicians playing their instruments with my songs. Featured instruments include, bass, violin, slide guitar, mandolin, accordion, organ and drums. It was important to me to keep the same vulnerable, lonely vibe to my songs, but it was spectacular to let my guard down and make music with other people. The other instruments create a very appropriate ambience and atmosphere to my songs, which only help me tell the stories better and in the end, create a better, bigger product to listen to."
You have two previous albums under your belt. What did you learn from making and distributing these yourself?
"From releasing my first two albums myself, I’ve learned that it’s possible to do a lot on your own and if you have good enough songs people will buy the CDs regardless of the quality of the recording. I’ve learned a lot about promoting myself and getting the word out about my music and trying to get people to buy them. I think that representing yourself well as a musician is a very importantly choreographed dance. I really enjoy coming up with new ideas on how to market myself. I’m lucky that I’ve established this silly, homemade persona, so all I really have to do is be myself and it works!I think most importantly I’ve learned that you don’t need a record deal to be a successful musician. You can do a lot of things representing yourself!"
As a musician, have you ever experienced a venue or record label trying to take advantage of you?
"Not really, I’ve had a couple of offers that seemed like they might have been scams, like representation and promotion companies that take money from you before you even make it, but I didn’t go through with any of them. I get a lot of kind offers as well, of people who are willing to help with art and promotion and graphics and photography. There’s a ugly side, but there’s also a kind happy, pleasant side!"
If you were the highlight of a Dream Tour, who would go with you?
"Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joanna Newsom and Sufjan Stevens."
Who are the contemporary musicians you most listen to?
"I’m behind the times and don’t have many of their latest albums, but I like Joanna Newsom, Sufjan Stevens, Regina Spektor, Death Cab for Cutie. There are also a lot of people I mean to get in to, but don’t. I listen to pop radio instead."
You have become a musical diva. What are your demands from venues when you go on tour?
"Oh god, nothing. I’m still usually intimidated when I go to a venue. Acting like a diva, is kind of part of my act. I’m pretty shy when I walk in to a new venue, wanting to be good enough to make the people who booked me make sure I’m good enough. I try not to hog the stage time or the green room. In a lot of the situations I’m in as a musician, I’m the underdog and even if I wasn’t, I would still try to be really kind and appreciative to the people around me. I do freak out a lot before shows. I tend to be emotional and stressed.It’s not really nerves, usually, I just like to be alone and try to get in the zone and be by myself and hum a song and not worry about anything else but what I’m about to do. That’s how I’m a diva."
Who are your musical female heros?
"Hannah Montana, Joni Mitchell, Sarah MacLachlan, Joanna Newsom, Joan Baez, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga--I mean, any one who’s doing it, who is out there and doing it and getting what they want and being great at it! It’s inspiring to me, even if what they’re doing has nothing to do with music. If I see someone doing and getting something they want, I think to myself, wait! I can get the things I want too! I watch a lot of Hannah Montana episodes thinking, “Oh my gosh, if I ever get to be a famous star, this is what my life will be like! I’ll have to decide whether or not to go to the Grammy’s or Lily’s 16th birthday party!”"
Check out Danielle's YouTube collection of videos here. Visit Danielle Anderson's website here to buy the new CD Two Bedroom Apartment available July 6, 2010.
Mary Rayme - Mary Rayme is a graphic designer and arts educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
