Kasey Anderson released his fourth CD, Nowhere Nights, back in February and I am so happy he sent it my way. Anderson defines it as “equal parts charge, benediction, apology and indictment,” which was inspired by a burning need to make drastic changes in his life. “For almost a decade I lived in an insulated little community,” Anderson says. “I woke up one morning and knew it was time. I was numb all over. I had to get out.” Relocating to his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Anderson began crafting the songs that would comprise the new album. Assisted by his touring band—guitarist Dan Lowinger, bassist Bo Stewart, drummer Julian MacDonough and keyboardist Lewi Longmire, as well as producer Eric “Roscoe” Ambel on keys and guitar—Anderson wrote songs that, he says, “take an honest look at where I had been, where I was, and where I was going.”

One of the places he was to go was to Austin for SXSW. We communicated back and forth via email to make this Music Fog session happen. Many times, when I book someone, I have already seen them perform. And when I haven't, it is with fingers crossed that they will be "as advertised," able to pull it off in front of our cameras. Kasey delivered an earthy, 'Gram' vibed performance on March 18th, and dedicated this song to the memory of Alex Chilton who died the day before. "Don't Look Back."

-Jessie Scott

P.S. The first time I heard The Box Tops song "The Letter," was on a jukebox in Manheim, Germany in 1969. We played it over and over again until we ran out of coins. Alex Chilton left an indelible mark on our culture through his music. The SXSW aggregation was collectively saddened by his untimely passing. So many of us were looking forward to the SXSW performance of Big Star, which became a tribute concert to Alex instead.