Whatdaya Call It? Genre Labels

I struggle with the idea of labeling. I understand that people need a way to describe things, shelf them in an orderly manner, and have a way to compare to others. My struggle is...where do I fit? Or more specifically, my music?

With distinct elements of blues, jazz, country, rock (and sometimes punk) in my songs, it seems to me that the only clear description would be rock. That too, however, has become a convoluted descriptor. Originally, wasn't rock the obvious evolution of American roots music?

Labeling aside, I will continue to pepper my set with a mixture of instrumentation and genres. I love the spontaneity of a mix of players interpreting my songs. And choosing my covers based on my mood or the feel of the show. Perhaps sometimes it will be a blues show. Or a country show. Or a rock show. Does it matter?

So Many Projects!

This month is a chaotic one...plenty of shows, the debut of The Neverout (with a new lineup and sound), the launch of my website MerchMover, and many other odds & ends coming together. So I've decided it's time for a spring clean. Time to get it all organized and (hopefully *sigh*) simplified! I'm looking forward to everything having it's place. This website will serve as the hub for all things Nena Anderson, with links to all of my other projects: Solo performances, Creative work, Photography, MerchMover, The Neverout, Brawley, Jazz, and my cooking blog Nena's Cocina. Whew! Time to get crackin'...

I Love Spring

a fun photo from the archives...
me: blond, playing accordion with the golden hill ramblers!

i love spring. gardening, sunshine, festivals, street fairs, bike rides and bbq's...all before the summer tourist season hits. these are the times i appreciate san diego.

fun springy stuff:
• encinitas garden walk april 17 my 'hood
• adam's ave roots fest april 24 & 25. I will be playing both days, including a song swap session with nathan james on saturday at 2pm at lestats.
• gator by the bay may 7 & 8 dancing and cajun music, yay!

Beyond The Lights, Home at Belly Up Tavern

Photos by Philip DeFalco

Last Sunday night I played my first solo show at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA. I opened for the talented singer/songwriter of Maverick's fame, Raul Malo. It was an strange experience for me...lonely and liberating all at once!

Belly Up is my home stage. I played my first show there in 1996 and since that time have shared the stage there with Dr. John, Candye Kane, and Tommy Castro, among others, as well as won a "battle of the bands" competition there in the late 90's. As a bandleader, I have always been accustomed to the company of my bandmates at a show. Their drama. Their problems. Their support and encouragement. Their laughter. Like a family. And on stage there is safety in numbers. Confidence and security and comfort in that cloud of sound surrounding me with the band...not to mention the interaction and creative challenges we spark within each other. I found myself backstage before my set feeling oddly lonely. It was quiet, too quiet, despite my friends and goings on before my set. Where was my family? My comfort zone, my home?

Once I hit the stage, however, the show was on, and I was in my element...band or not. Peering beyond the lights into the audience was a sight I'd never seen at the Belly Up. The usual rowdy, dancing, nightclub patrons were replaced tonight by a listening crowd. I don't know what was scarier...the fact that I was to play solo or the fact that everyone in the audience was seated and their attention was focused on me! The entire dance floor was lined with rows of chairs and as far as I could see, the bleachers, the upper balcony, and the floor were full. A few nervous strums, a deep breath, a swig off my bourbon, and I was ready.

I stumbled a bit through the first song. Tentative. Unsure what to expect from this crowd. From myself. I launched myself fully into song number 2 "Beyond The Lights" -- I told myself to get over it and bring on the SHOW. And so I did. I had the audience laughing in between my sad love songs. I sold out of my EP's. I didn't even drink the cocktail (thanks Gabs!) that I thought I really needed. I was home.

Exclusive Download. Click here to start download  Beyond The Lights

Valentine

After a busy weekend in Los Angeles, I arrived home yesterday afternoon and fell into a much needed catnap. When I woke, sitting next to my face on the pillow was a note.

My son (7) had made me a Valentine heart scrawled with the words : I love you Mom

The best things in life are from the heart.

Artist of the Month - Chris James & Patrick Rynn

Every month I will feature a musician, artist, or writer that has influenced me. For fun. For December I want to introduce you to Chris James and Patrick Rynn.

I met these guys not long after I started singing blues and jump in nightclubs around San Diego...around 1995. I believe my friendship with them started when Patrick filled in on upright bass for a few shows with my band, Lucky Scandal & the Many Shades of Sin. His skills as a player and his easy-going, happy smile made him a joy to share the bandstand with. Chris James, I soon learned was not only an amazing singer and blues shouter, but played guitar unlike anyone I had ever heard in San Diego.

Over the years Chris and Patrick and I became mutual fans, friends, and occasional bandmates. Their extensive knowledge of music, particularly blues and jazz, fed my fascination with those sounds and artists and my own developing vocal and writing style. Their care and dedication to their art remains an incredible inspiration to me.

I was thrilled to photograph the cover of their debut album (nominated for a WC Handy Award) and always look forward to any opportunity to hang with them, whether laughing over a beer or singing on the stage.

These guys also have a band called The Blue Four and are part of the Rhythm Room Allstars. While they spend most of the summer touring, you can catch them in San Diego, Phoenix, and Chicago on a regular basis. I highly recommend catching a show http://www.thebluefour.com/

Hope and Storytelling

I had an enlightening meeting yesterday with a songwriter. I'm trying to expand my network, come out from under the rock I've been hiding, learn a little from the experience of those that have traveled (or are traveling) my same road. I am so grateful to those who share their time with me, their knowledge, their opinions and their insight.

I get complacent. Afraid. Frustrated. Bored. Hmmm. So every couple of years I change it up, jump headfirst into something I know little about, but am determined to master. A few years back it was jazz. Then it was guitar. Now it's storytelling.

Master any of them I have yet to do. But I am excited for the bumps in the road and the journey, regardless of destination.

Stop and Think About It

I'm not good with definitions. About "what I do." In so many ways, "what I do" defines who I am as a person and how I live my life...yet it is vastly more diverse than a simple job title or description. When questioned about it (or the lack of definition on my business cards) I balk. Uncomfortable. My talents are fluid. My skills are sharp. And I relish all things new and adapting. Why would I want to pigeon-hole myself with one definition?

Now it's true that too much diversity can lead to confusion. And a lot of maintenence. (I do have 3 separate blogs, 4 websites, etc. etc.) I do this because I do believe in consistent and concise messaging: branding.

Feeling the stress today of having so many "jobs." When it is distilled down, the only description that works for me is Artist. This blog will serve as an outlet for all things Nena Anderson. Music, poetry, critical writings and opinions, photography, inventions/product design, illustration and graphic design, parenting, cooking, producing and so on.


I shot this record cover for good friends and former bandmates, Chris James and Patrick Rynn. I am so proud that they are finally receiving recognition for the amazing musicians and hard-working cats that they are. This year they were nominated for a WC Handy Award for Best New Blues Artist.






This is a merch case I designed and built for the band  Wirepony. I worked with the artist in developing a case that was easy to store and transport and that could hold a selection of product. I'm obsessed with combining function with aesthetic. The case supports the brand image of the artist with it's "traveling merchantile look" and kept it all tidy with a cash box and a place to collect mailing list info.






I've drawn cartoons since I was 7 years old, winning contests and drawing logos since I was 12. Yet it never really seemed to me to be a viable "job." Ha! I'm hoping to spend more time in the future illustrating and painting again. This is a piece from a few years back that I created for Nathan James and Ben Hernandez  for a cd they created with  Carl Sonny Leyland. The actual illustration is 20"x 9"

After many years as working as a designer and marketer in fashion, action sports, and sporting goods, I'm thrilled that my art is now melding with my passion for music!

More about (un)defining myself at my work(?) blog *smiling* check it out at  Dungbeetle.

Creating Change

Saturday I will spend my day as a volunteer and observer at the North Park Music Thing. I hear so many musicians grumble and complain about working situations in San Diego and the so called scene. And after 17 years as a working musician in San Diego, I have been one of them on many occasion. Yet there is something here...spark and care, encouragement and nurturing (and sometimes an ass-kicking) I have been so lucky to have experienced from my talented San Diego friends. The music industry is changing. Where it's going...we all wait and watch and listen. I'm not much of a "wait and see" kinda gal. So I am choosing to become a participant, a mover, driven to start creating the changes to what will inspire and hopefully support me as an artist. Maybe it's not a big thing (i'll see you at the registration desk *smile*) but it is a just a start. Research. Observation. Networking. Educating. Evolving. Creating Change.

Coalminer's Daughter

Last night on our way to a fabulous gig at Syrah, we passed by Loretta Lynn's tour bus. It was a photo op just too good to pass up. You don't see names plastered on buses anymore...too many security issues and paparrazi. I guess Loretta doesn't have to worry about that...who would be fool enough to mess with a coalminer's daughter?!

Change is Good

I'm working on re-designing my sites and blog, so don't be surprised if you see things migrate around, different colors and ideas everyday! I'm excited to be adding my photography and other features here over the next few weeks.

Archive Photo

back in the days when i wore betty page bangs and swing was the thing, i had a band called 47combo. before that, it was a similar band called lucky scandal & the many shades of sin.

jump blues, jazz, rockabilly, we had a blast, always with a full floor of dancers dressed to the nines and everyone having a good time.

i'm not sure who took this photo of me...or where...

SXSW 09 Recap

poolside
Originally uploaded by dungbeetleblog

I've posted photos I took at SXSW... check them out by clicking the photo. Highlights of the trip? hmmm...

1. The Fling at Metropolitan Apts. (photo) outside of downtown, this funky apt. complex hosted a pool party. not many people there (as you can see), but it was a relaxing vibe...great break from the sx chaos...good music and cold beer.

2. Momo's showcase was a double whammy. Colin Gilmore followed by an acoustic set by Joe Ely with accordianist Joel Guzman.

3. Breakfast at Barton Creek Cafe with Otis. Best hash browns. Ever.

4. Hours of photographing 6th Street adventures with friend and photog Jeff Wiant.

Thanks to my friends, Brande and Wyatt of Global Access Entertainment Visas for allowing me to tag along with them and experience some fantastic international sounds. Thanks also to Shaney Jo of Keep-A-Breast for keeping me in the loop with the "cool crowd" *laughing*

sxsw adventures...

...just flew in from 4 days of adventure in the city of Austin, TX... loads of music, new friends and bbq. Check back in the next few days for stories and photos...once I catch up on a bit of sleep!

Mix it Up!

From punk shows to jazz jams, I am always inspired by going to see live music. I'll try to keep you up to date on good shows I plan to attend and performances that have moved me!

Last Wednesday I attended pianist Danny Green's official record release party at Anthology in San Diego. It was an incredible show featuring Justin Grinell, bassist, Dylan Savage, drums, Peter Sprague, guitar and Tripp Sprague, saxophone. This is world-class jazz...check out his site at http://www.dannygreen.net and buy the cd.

Last year I recorded a few tunes with Danny that were released in Europe. You can listen to "Gee Baby" and the jazz version of "Say You'll Be Mine" at myspace/nenaanderson.