10 Quick Ones with KEITH ANSELMO of AKADIA – July 2018

According to a recent press release: “Louisiana based rockers AKADIA have announced summer show dates that will take them through several venues this summer in support of their new single “Turn Away.” Akadia will kick off the tour at the Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival in Mansfield Ohio July 13-15 with Akadia burning up the stage on July 14 at 1:30 pm. An official music video for the single has recently premiered and is gaining awareness. The single “Turn Away” has been gaining radio traction and is consistently being added to radio stations across the country.” We get singer Keith to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Well for all our fans and listeners out there that are also musicians listen closely to the guitar and bass tracks. Akadia’s rhythm section never fails to find a way to squeeze little nuances inside the groove. For ALL you listeners out there take the time to dissect the lyrical content. I have a strong feeling it will lure you in just a little further.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Seeing my uncle play the drums for the first time is by far the most vivid memory I have of being inspired by another to play music. I was just a small child the first time I was able to successfully sneak into his music room and start banging away on his kit. But in that moment I knew that I wanted to continue doing whatever that was because it felt incredible.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Collectively Akadia’s influences are Metallica, Boyz II Men, Motley Crue, Mudvayne and Tool. But there are many more and when being asked for five this is what we’ve come up with!

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Akadia would really love the opportunity to work with musician and producer John Feldmann. Man that would be an awesome experience.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

To answer that question quickly we would say that we sound like some of the modern rock bands of today like Seether, Breaking Benjamin, Godsmack, Sevendust and a pinch of what we would describe as our own taste of originality.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

It’s the reward no doubt. We all work so hard to come together and create music with the hopes of being with presented the opportunity to share it with others. And when that moment comes, when we are all on stage together and we can feel the love we put into it being given back to us, that, that right there is the best thing about being a musician.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Ah that’s easy! Nate (guitar) cooks, Ryan (guitar) and Jon (drums) handle the drinks, Guy (bass) relaxes and Keith (vocals) is always the first to crack out the acoustic guitar. Eventually it turns into an all out jam and turns into a Facebook video! This happened the last time we had a little pow wow and the video ended up with 38,000 views!

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Speaking for myself, I can’t say that I’ve ever dreamt of a job other than being a musician. So the truth would be there is none. But if I had to choose an alternative I would have to say something in the realm of science. I have a burning desire to understand how things work.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Nate says, “My single biggest regret is quitting playing music for the seven years that my brother, Jon Laurent (drums), was in prison.” Nate explains that being without his brother was one of the most difficult times of his life. During the time he became detached from most things, even the drive to pick up his guitar.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Man what a loaded question! There are so many amazing and influential recordings in existence today. All of which have inspired so many around the world! The only thing that makes this question a little easier to answer is getting to explain what the record means to me. With that being said, I would have to go with Morning View Sessions by Incubus. Now I know that we aren’t going that far back in time but this album was recorded during one of the most difficult times of my life and is totally responsible for giving me something to hold onto. To be in that big open room over looking that mesmerizing landscape while Mike Einziger and Brandon Boyd go back and forth trading vocal and guitar melodies would have been a life changing experience for me.

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Category: Interviews