Russh Magazine

Erika M. Anderson a.k.a EMA is wild and I couldn't resist asking her a few questions as she's in Australia for the first time. 

She's from Portland, which is great in itself (Portlandia, anyone?) but she's grunge-y and dance-y and distortion-ey whilst sounding like the best songs from 50 years ago. 

It is raw, which for a hyped-up hipped-out band is rare. There is nothing pretentious about her. I'll let her speak for herself before I de-cool myself by fanning-out.

What did you do today?
Today we finally had a day off so I wandered around the shops in Melbourne. This place is very fashionable! I felt kinda like a scrub.

(And is this a normal day for you?)
Feeling like a scrub, yes.  Melbourne?  No.

What's the best thing about coming to Australia?
I know everyone probably says the weather, but coming from a Portland, Oregon winter it's really true. That and you guys make up really cute slang for everything. "Brollies" for example.

Most memorable audience member (if there is one)?
There was an 8-year-old kid in the front row in Brussels who was just beaming and smiling during our whole set, he was so excited. It almost made me weep. I reached down and let him play my guitar during a really loud feedback-y part.

How many guitars have you destroyed?
I'm really rough on guitars, so I kind of end up destroying every one I play. I've only straight-out smashed a few though, and those were very cheap ones.  Regularly smashing guitars is actually a very bourgeois habit! 

Tracks you're listening to right now?
I'm listening to the new release by NYC composer Mario Diaz De Leon called Hypnos. It's pretty sweet.

Tracks you never want to hear EVER again?
Video Killed the Radio Star. For some reason I hate that song.

Biggest influence?
Amps For Christ.

Smallest influence?
Kanye.

Do you have a day-to-day routine?
In my ideal mind I get up early and go jogging or something. In reality I stay up really, really late at night, sleep till noon and drink wine early, working on shit or avoiding answering emails.

What would you do if you had one last day on earth?
Learn to pray.