Review Fix Exclusive: Seth Anderson Talks ’We Could Be’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Seth Anderson, who discusses his latest single, “We Could Be” and more.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Seth Anderson: My uncle is a songwriter and used to have a touring band before I was born. I heard the stories and always thought it was so cool. He and his cousin had a music store and piano tuning/ repair company when I was kid as well, and I always loved being around the instruments and music when my mom and I would stop in for visits any time she would be doing errands around town. I had a strong connection to music from a very young age, and was lucky enough to have people around me that inspired that part of my developing mind. 

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Anderson: It takes a lot of persistence. I may try to write for days before something comes out that is worthwhile. Maybe it is just a process of sifting through all the nonsense, before getting to the good stuff. There have also been songs that came up out of nowhere and channeled onto my page. Songwriting is such an incredible thing, in that I feel like it isn’t something that I can control. I am just grateful for what has come out up to this point. I hope it continues to happen. 

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Anderson: I’m a hopeless romantic for love and the human spirit. People’s kindness towards situations and others. Seeing how love can change people and their place in life, and on the flip side, how fragile we are in regards to relationships and our connections with others. 

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Anderson: It means everything to me. Therapy, healing, presence, expression. Community. I think art is becoming more important in keeping people engaged as real life connection becomes more difficult to find with the rise of technology and a social media culture. 

Review Fix: What makes this band special?

Anderson: The band on the record is comprised of friends of myself and producer Eamon McGrath in the Toronto area. They all brought a unique style to the album, and helped to grow the songs far beyond my expectations. A big thank you to Eamon McGrath, Chuck Coles, Clay Jones, Will Whitwham, and Danny Miles, who were the musical foundation for the album. 

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Anderson: A blend of Wilco/ Frank Turner/ and the Weakerthans. 

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Anderson: With the band, I play more electric guitar and things become more high energy. 

Solo shows, are very intimate, and I get a bit more in-depth with stories behind songs. 

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Anderson: My new single, “Take Away The Sad”, was originally inspired by the movie, “Where the Wild Things Are.” There is a scene where Max (the boy that has run away to a magical dream world) is meeting the monsters for the first time. Initially, they want to eat him, but he convinces them that he is a king from another land and has superpowers, and that he can make everything ok. They respond with, “Will you keep out all the sadness?”. Max replied, “I have a sadness shield that keeps out all the sadness. And it’s big enough for all of us.”

It really caught me emotionally. I immediately wrote the first verse and chorus. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2020?

Anderson: I would like to get the process started on a new album which is partially written. 

Review Fix: What’s next?

Anderson: I have Western Canadian Dates beginning February 27th, and will be announcing more Canadian/US/European dates soon.