Meet Anders of Rama Gu

A spectacular sonic project, of collaboration, sincere emotions, and warm feelings. Rama Gu is for anyone out there who has been looking to scratch that folky, wholesome itch. Anders is the glue that holds the project together. In our latest interview chat with him about their latest release “My Mom Is Cooler Than Me” and some other neat stuff. Check it out!

A self-portrait by, Anders

Would You Rather

your skin flash like a fast strobe light, or be incredibly slippery? Why?

SLIPPERY. Idk how this is even a contest. Strobe light skin would be incredibly annoying. It would be hard to sleep at night w your skin constantly flashing. It would be hard for other people to look at you. I’m sure you would lose friends. And also there are tons of people with photosensitivity, not to mention epilepsy. You’d pose a risk to others just by going outside.

If u were slippery on the other hand, you’d be very hard to catch and therefore very good at contact sports such as wrestling or rugby.

If it were an ability you could turn on and off, strobe light skin would be pretty cool. But based on how the question is phrased, I’m assuming these are permanent states? If anyone can think of a convincing upside to having your skin constantly flash like a strobe light, hmu.

Some questions with Anders

Of all the things in your latest track, what is the coolest thing your mom ever did?

I’m glad you asked, my mom is cool as shit. Recently, she made me a glorious Cafepress merch site. You can buy a king-size duvet cover with a COOL logo she made in 10 minutes in Adobe Illustrator. The coolest thing she ever did was raise me for 18 years and not charge me rent. The coolest thing she does on a regular basis is go to a remote island in Maine to help her friend shear sheep. I’ve been dying to tag along for years, but it’s a very exclusive invite.

Who would be your dream collaborator?

I already have my dream collaborators! Their names are Charlotte and Josh and together we make up THE SHISO MISO FAMILY BAND.

What is your favorite memory involving music? Why?

When I was a kid, my maternal grandparents had a beautiful garden and were active in the Rhododendron Society. My grandfather on that side was a great lover of classical music and would always pot plants in the garage listening to WQXR on this old, dusty boombox that sat on a high shelf. I used to hang out in there and drink Stuart’s root beer and watch him work while listening to Mozart.

What kind of music was playing in your houses when you grew up? Did it shape the music you are making today?

Nobody wants to talk about it, but the pizza in New Jersey is on average better than what you can get in the five boroughs. Having said that:

The best pizza in NYC is the Patsy’s slice counter at 118th and 1st.

How do you keep the creative momentum of the project going during quarantine?

First, I tried to keep it going thru sheer willpower. I did a song-a-day project in April. I felt so burnt out afterwards that I took a two-month break from music to play several long JRPGs, including one that exceeded 100+ hours. Now, I’m settling back into the tried-and-true groove of listening, practicing, growing, and generally just living my life and feeling inspired by my friends (at a distance).

What would the title of your memoir/biography be?

Catch Twenty-Gu

The RamaGuYana

The Gureat Gatsby

The Gurapes of Wrath

The Rama GuTenburg Bible

源氏ラマ語り(げんじラマグたり)

What kinds of stories do you gravitate towards in your writing? Why?

Like many songwriters I tend to go personal, because I think often the most universal songwriting comes out of topics that are really specific. Recently, I’ve mined a lot of childhood memories for stories. I also sometimes like to describe a scene or a feeling and see if a story emerges from it. I try not to be intentionally opaque or overly poetic in my lyric writing. I’ve found that the plainer and more literal I am, the more effective the song is.

Ultimately, I don’t think the kind of story matters too much to me, as long as what I write feels True. Even if it’s a lie. As they say, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

We have an album coming out later this year called “The Garden”! I hope it makes you cry.

Wear a mask, tip your barista, and donate to the New Sanctuary Coalition if you’ve got the funds. The US immigration system is horrible and inhumane and NSC does important work to keep families together through the trauma of dealing with it: https://www.newsanctuarynyc.org/

Hi mom!