Simply Six: Anna Dagmar

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

Yes, the moment I really felt the drive to become an artist was listening to Keith Jarrett on headphones in my living room when I was about 14 years old. It wasn't about the fame or recognition or even the big audiences. It was the way he found a new sound on the piano and made it seem like a choir of tiny voices. It touched me so deeply and I knew I wanted to make it my life's work to find my own sound. Little did I know at that time it would be in songwriting, not just playing. And Keith proved to be one of many influences that helped me set my vision and keep going even when figuring out the career side of music was tough!

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I am listening to music all of the time. Right now what I find most relaxing is Simone Dinnerstein's recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations. I can either sit and listen intensely, or I can have it on while I'm doing other things around the house. Either way there is a richness to the music and a clarity to the way she plays that really grounds me. And for upbeat stuff, I actually just made a driving mix (on CD although imagine if it could have been cassette tape!). That features some of my desert-island-picks like Larry Graham, Herbie Hancock, Solas, Jobim, Bonnie Raitt, and Billy Joel.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

Well it's hard to pick one moment, but I must say this past weekend playing as a New Folk Finalist at Kerrville Folk Festival was truly amazing! The audience was about 600 people, outdoors in the Texas sun. Even though there were so many of them, it felt as intimate as a house concert to me because of the warmth and kindness of the crowd. People travel from all over to attend the festival and are especially excited to discover emerging artists on New Folk. I must say I give my best performances when embraced by such a great audience, and I had the opportunity to play two songs from Satellite - "We Were Children" and "Down the Road." Unforgettable experience.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I do believe music can change the world. It mobilizes people. Look at the Civil Rights Movement and songs like We Shall Overcome. Look at National Anthems and Gospel Songs and songs against bullying. Music resonates with people like nothing else, and it is also easier to remember words and their meaning when there is a melody to go along. I hope that a song like "We Were Children" could bring awareness about the unfairness of children being forced to fight in wars. When I write songs like that, I try to balance what is specific with what is universal. I would be honored if a song of mine were ever used for a charitable effort towards peace and think a big step to finding it is actually trying to understand peoples' hardships, not just saying feel-good things about peace. In that song I try to put myself in the shoes of a young boy escaping a war-torn country. It was hard to imagine but for me that is the best way to get outside of my own experience to create an artistic statement.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

I find technology very useful in terms of reaching my audience. I use all kinds of online tools to do that. I do wish when music was converted to digital they had found a better way to preserve monetization. But it is too late to go back and do that another way it seems. I do still make money selling CD's and downloads and find that my true fans want to support me professionally, so they pay for the music. Overall I would say new technologies are a plus for independent artists, although it has also made the sea of musicians trying to "make it" a lot bigger!

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Ha! That's a great question :) I know I wouldn't be high heels. I try to avoid those whenever I can. Hm. I think I'd be snow shoes! They are hilariously fun and quite useful! And they can cross all kinds of tough terrain! Plus they make you look like a big snow shoe bunny! I love that!