Interview with Clark Anderson

As the Winter tour reaches its end and Safri Duo will return to the studio, we meet up with Clark Anderson for a chat about past, present and future.

We thank Clark for taking the time and the fans for submitting some fun and interesting questions.

 

What has been the best thing about working with Safri Duo?
”There´s definitely a lot of good things…I think the musicianship is one of the best things, because they are so great musicians. It's just so easy to understand, you know, what we are talking about. When they say: ”Hey..play this", I know exactly what they mean”.
And the fans. The fans have been really supportive and accepting of me. -As a pseudo 3rd member."


Tell us about the best tour experience?
"Well, Tivoli was probably no.1, because my mother was there and I got to see her. You know,.. I've been in the music business for many years and she has been holding her breath and she finally comes to Denmark and 52.000 people were there and you can just see, that she exhaled, finally. Like:…”I made the right decision to let this kid go, to do what he wanted to do”
That was great and I really enjoyed the Poland concert that we recently did, and also the very first show I ever did with Safri Duo was in Mallorca in front of 100.000 people.

But I will have to say, the most beautiful experience was Aalborg (Denmark, red). 80.000 people, the bridge, the boats in the middle, the fireworks and the full moon. I think that even for someone like Madonna or Sting, who have experienced almost everything, would have put that one right up there. It was incredible."


What did your mum say to you, when she talked to you after the concert in Tivoli?
"Oh, she was just beaming! There was a look in her eyes, that I have never seen before. I think it's a big step for a mum to let her 15 year old son go and follow his silly dream of being a singer, you know what I mean? And you could really tell, that she was also proud of herself for allowing me to do that, so that was really special."


How do you warm up before a gig?
”I don't usually, I usually just do a line or two from a song and just do a little run here and a little run there.
I'm actually warming up as the show goes along. It's not necessarily the best thing to do, but I'm not a very structured person, so I just kinda go with it. You'll see, usually by the time we reach "Walking Away", my voice is warmed up and I'm really into it. I really don't do much, just say a prayer and hope for the best!”


Are you still nervous before a show?
”Sometimes…..I get nervous when I know there are friends there. A year ago, if I were to do a TV-show at 6 o'clock in the morning, I would have had a panic attack, but after doing so many different shows, your fear factor comes lower and you are not as afraid any more. I just get a little bit nervous every time, that's it. -Only that someone's gonna throw something at me!"


Have you experienced that?
"Well, only nice things…not a bottle or an axe, or something! I always have a fear of that!”


What is you favourite Safri song to perform?
"It's always gonna be and still is ”Sweet Freedom”. I have the most fun, that's just a fun song. And it's actually also really difficult, because it's so high and then so low in the verses. You really have to keep up the energy. That's why I stand so still when I sing the verses in the song, because I really want to concentrate on every word and make sure that every person in the audience can feel the message. So that's my favorite song."


Did you expect such a success performing with Safri Duo?
”Eehm…no. When I took the project, I really did not know what to expect.
Prior to the Safri project I had 6 records deals, 6 major record deals with major record companies. The last record deal I had, I was signed by Tommy Mattola, who used to be married to Mariah Carey and also used to own Sony.
Each deal didn't work out for one reason or another, because of politics, being at the wrong place at the wrong time, the music wasn't right….
A piece of you dies every single time that happens,- a really big piece of you dies, when somebody tells you, you are the greatest singer in the world and then they pull the rug out from underneath you. So I just kinda thought "Hey whatever happens…happens!" It will be fun to see the world and then the first show we did in Mallorce in front of 100.000 people, ……I knew I was in for something!
-And it's been great and I hope the success can continue. This is such a fickled business so if you don't get right back out there, people will forget you overnight.
We will see what happens.”


How do you deal with fame? Do you miss anything about being the Average Joe?
”No, because there is a level of fame, you get to, for instance Madonna or even Justin Timberlake, where people really care, that it's you.. With me..I´m not really at that level. I´m a recognized face, but I´m not at a level where people attack me. I don't have to be in a disguise or keep my head down, so it´s not that bad."


Does the thought of being that famous scare you?
”No because…it´s not necessarily fame, I have been striving for…. I guess that the only way your music can be heard by that many people, is to reach that level of success so I have been prepared for that since I was 6. It´s been in my head ever since I was old enough to imagine it happening. Easier said than done obviously, and when it does happen maybe that changes, but I don't think so. I mean..if you need to get away, you get away, right? Janet Jackson does it every time…..she disappears for 2 year and then comes back out."

          

How did you come up with the idea to enter the stage in Knock On Wood shirtless?
”It was actually the band's idea! Uffe and Morten! I had been working out in the gym and trying to stay in shape and they said "you should take your shirt off at some point of the show!" -And so one time I just did it….and…it worked!"
 

So when are Uffe and Morten taking off their shirts..are there any plans?
”No, no…but….maybe they should?! You know…they take off their suits in the beginning, why not just finish it off?"

Do you get affected by criticism?
”No..I mean,.. you have to expect that people are going to criticize you and not everybody's gonna like you. You take it personally to a certain extent, if someone makes fun of you or some drunk guy yells out "Safri Duo sucks!" or something. You take a very very small offence to it, but you don't take it to heart, because first of all: you don't know them, second of all: they don't know you. If they don't like it, don't listen to it. That's how I feel about it.”


Have you made any friends in Denmark outside work?
"I have learned that we all have friends in "high" and "low" places.  But no
matter what, each one makes you a better person, because their energy, and
influence, and experience no matter what at the end of the day...makes you
stronger, wiser, and even more ready to conquer the world.  So I am blessed
with each and every presence I have encountered in Denmark, and could never
be more grateful that each individuals impact has had on me!!!!!!  I am a
lucky guy!!!!!  Thanks for that...!"
 

Do you hang out with Mads or Peter (the band, red) sometimes?
”No, Mads has a kid and Peter has his own thing…you know, we are all friends and to some degree we do hang out, but no…not too often, because we spend so much time working together. They have their lives and I have mine.”


What advice would you give Safri Duo if they want to break thru in the U.S ?
”A lot!
It's a different market so it's a lot tougher. I would tell them to hire a publicist. That's the number one thing, that any artist needs in the US. Here I don't think it's so common for an artist to have a publicist. Someone to get them to the right parties…someone to make sure they are always seen. That kinda stuff is really, really necessary. That would be my advice!”


Will your collaboration with Safri Duo end for good in late November?
”……Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehm…let's just say, it's a secret for now….”


Is there anything you'll miss about Denmark?
”Oh, so much! I mean, now that it's coming to an end I'm really realizing how amazing the year has been and how amazing my experiences have been.
There has just been so many positive things, that have come out of being over here. Beginning with my mind having a much wider spectrum…I have learned so many different things, because people over here are different from people in Spain and people in Poland and people in L.A. And I had sort of a tunnel vision, because I had lived in LA for so long.
-And I will miss my friends and I will miss performing. There's nothing better than working in the studio all week long and going out to clubs and having a good time, and then getting on stage whether it's a thousand or 220.000 people and hopefully making them smile and seeing them smile. There's nothing better than that! Because that's what I'm here for! There's no other reason why I was born, other than to give the music back.”


What will you miss about Uffe and Morten?
”Oooh, everything! Their sense of humor. Especially Morten…he is so funny; he is just so ridiculous…-in a good way! They are  actually both so funny. They have a really great work ethic, that is very inspiring, I think.
-And you know…they are just nice guys. I'm sort of a flighty, unorganized kinda guy, ..they are quite the opposite, but if I'm down or home sick they have parental instincts, sort of big brotherly. I'll miss all of that, definitely.”

 

Picture by The Safri Zone
    What has been the most embarrassing moment on the tour with Safri Duo?
”I fell of stage once! It was at a private party…it was Uticon I think….well, there was a hole in the middle of the stage, and I didn't see it, I couldn't see it.
I don't know why it was there and I fell in, I just fell into it, and twisted my ankle a bit, but it was really bad, because my friends were there!
That was an embarrassing moment and then the couple of times, when my inner ear box falls off during a show. Then that looks really dumb…and all of a sudden you can't hear anything! Then the pitch just goes to another place!
Actually there was one time, where we didn't have our normal inner ear guy with us,..it was just one show…and he couldn't get it to work, so I had to do the entire show, with no box, so all I could hear were the speakers, that you guys hear, so I had to listen really carefully. –And I was screaming off the top of my lungs; it was really terrible.”

Do the Safri guys have any bad habits?
”You know……I can't say that they do…They are pretty square. Regrettably no, they don't have any.
I wish I had something to tell you…”

Have you been working on your own material lately?
”I´ve been working on a couple of projects, there's a group of guys called Banzai Republic, and I met them through Oliver Bjerrehuus. In fact tonight I am doing our 3rd song, and they make very loungy, acid, trippy-soundy kinda music, and I make pop-music, so the combination is very interesting. The result has been very special. I don't know how record companies will react to it but I know, that when I play it for people they have all gone; This is something we've never heard before.

 

 

Because it's my voice with those sounds, and then a pop-song, somewhere in the middle.
So we'll see…they are already talking about taking the 3 songs we have done, to this guy, who used to own Virgin, and maybe make some kind of record with 5 or 6 songs featuring me. Sort of similar to the Safri Duo thing. It wouldn't be something we would go on tour with or anything like that. But it could be something rather cool.

There's another guy, Mogens, who plays the bass for Nik and Jay and we wrote two really fantastic songs together.
Then the DeeKay guys are putting out a record and I'm featured on 4 songs there as well.
There are a few things that potentially could come out in between the next Safri Duo record, pending that I participate in that. So I've just been trying to keep myself as busy as possible, because you never know….you are only as good as your last thing, so you've just got to keep working and working and working”.
 

What about all the songs that fans can hear on your home page….will they be released?
”Those are songs, that I have just done over the years and at some point when I get to that point, when I'm allowed to have a little more creative say, then I'll be able to put out that dream record. -And some of those songs are on that dream record I'll get to make one day. Of course they will be re-produced, to fit the times."


What is gonna happen to ”Walking Away?”
”Well, I'm recording it on Thursday, just to have it, because it could potentially go on the next Safri record.”
 

Which do you prefer…being on stage or recording?
”They are fifty-fifty. –Oh no, that's not true….It's more like 70/30…..70% love being on stage.
It's funny, because sometimes I'm real crappy and I don't wanna go, I don't wanna do it, and the minute the music starts I'm like: ”oh yeah….O.k, o.k, o.k..I wanna go!” Then I love it every time I'm out there.”

 
Are you a perfectionist?
”I would have to say yes!
I think there's a difference between a perfectionist and a control freak, and I'm definitely more along the lines of a perfectionist. I do try and make everything as perfect as possible. I'm not a control freak, because I'm not in control of anything! Actually I'm very out of control most of the time!
But perfectionist when it comes to music absolutely!”

 

When you begin your solo career and touring, would you perform songs from the Safri period and ex. what songs?
”I would bring ”All the People” with me, and probably only play it in those select countries it is known in. Which is quite a few. Bring that along, to of course say: ”This is where it all began”, and then play the song and people will probably associate with: ”Oh, that was THAT guy?!”
If we do another record and there's another big hit, I would probably bring that too.”


What are your ambitions for the future?
”I have a lot of ambitions for the future! This has opened up a lot of doors….These days the music business is so different. It´s not just about a good voice, not just about singing in front of a record company executive and them saying: ”Hey, you are great..and let's sign on the dotted line!”
You sort of make your own destiny, so I'm going to try to do as many projects as I can where my voice is featured and get it out there, until people really start logging it in with ”that´s Clark Anderson´s voice”.
And once that happens, then there will be enough momentum to make a solo record. Because it would probably not be the greatest idea to make a solo record now, because the momentum is here so if I do another couple of projects, then the chance for success for a solo record is much greater. And I have got some years left, before I am considered too old. That's definitely what I´m gonna do…just try and go for as many projects as possible."

Rumors have it, that you have been to Australia recently to appear on Cosima´s album produced by Peter Stengaard??
”Nooo…I think I would have remembered if I had been to Australia lately……I DO know Peter, so I might be on it, but I can't say for sure. But Peter and I did 6 songs together before he moved to LA, so there's a very strong possibility, that I could be somewhere in Australia, yes.”


What do you think about Danish girls?
”I think Danish girls are absolutely stunning. Beautiful, stylish. Very sophisticated girls."


Are you a party person?
”Absolutely! -With a capitol A. -But in a good way! Just as long as the party doesn't take over the work. You know..Australians work really, really hard and they party just as hard…and I think that's me…for sure. Guess I must be Australian….?”

Do you have a favorite Danish performer, apart from Safri?
”Tim Christensen!”


Are you religious?
”No, but spiritual.”
   


Picture by The Safri Zone

Have you ever met your biological parents? If no: Would you like to?
”No, and I never had the desire, actually.
As I grow older the desire to see a picture of my father might be kinda cool or to see a picture of my mum. But I've had such a terrific mum, that the thought really never crosses my mind. I think that sometimes when kids are adopted, they feel there is a part of them missing and I have never felt that. But I wouldn't mind seeing a picture just because I really find it interesting how kids look like their parents.


What has been the greatest experience for you besides working with Safri?
”My corporation with Walter Afanasieff at home is probably one of the best things in the world. That has just been really incredible. He has been sort of a mentor to me. Other than that, there have been a lot of magical experiences.”


What about great experiences here in Denmark?
”When Summer was here…that was really great, because we did things you do when you get older, haha…You know…you go to museums and go and see monuments, and all that kinda stuff.
Summer and I actually haven't spent that much time doing things like that. You know…looking at historical things and taking pictures. I don't think ever! So it was like taking the next step in our friendship now we are adults. And I actually SAW Denmark, when she was here.”


So you had Summer over, and your mum…..
”Unfortunately, me and my mum did not get to spend that much time together. She was only here for 2 and a half days, so it wasn't a whole lot, but her coming and seeing the concert, was of course up there as well!”


Did you have any other friends or family over here for a visit?
”Jeremy Renner was supposed to come, but he had to work.”


What do the girls throw on to the stage to you, has there been any female underwear?
”No female underwear….but I get a lot of teddy bears and a lot of letters…actually there was one girl, who gave me this big letter and envelope and had done all this crazy artwork, and of course she had spent a lot of time working on it. That was really nice. There was also a little picture of them sitting outside their house, and on the cement they had written my name in huge letters. That was really special and I think the girl's name is Elisabeth…she had made it with 5 of her friends.
And when I see signs…that's really great too! That's like…it doesn't get any better…”


Do you keep your fan letters?
”Yeah, I keep everyone of them! I read everyone of them! Some of them are 15 and 16 pages long, typed, but I still read every word. Of course, because they took the time, so there's no reason I shouldn't. They are my fans!"


Have you met any of your fans?
”Oh yeah, yeah! I'm really bad with names, but I try to remember, because it really means a lot, when someone remembers your name.”


What is the most meaningful thing you've ever gotten from a fan?
”That thing the girls gave me the other day tops the list. There is just this nice letter and the picture with the pavement, that was really nice.
But you can't really compare, because they are all so special and different.
This one guy actually gave me a shirt and a pack of Marlboro Lights! I don't know how he knew that I smoked….I was with a friend of mine and he was like: "That was kinda strange!”

          

What do you think of fan meetings like The Safri Zone Summer Party?
”I think they are great! I think it's really important to be able to meet some of the people, who are out there supporting your work, because without them there would be no work! So I think it would be great to do such a thing once a month to tell you the truth.”


How is your Danish going?
”It doesn't go anywhere……Actually, funny enough I can understand a little bit…sometimes without even thinking Peter or Mads will say something and I´ll laugh. And they will look at me and I´ll say: Well, didn´t you say……and they will go: ”Well, yeah!"
So I'm learning a little bit, but speaking it? -I don't think in this lifetime.”


Now…you pretty much rule the vocals, but have you ever considered becoming a Danish citizen, getting drum lessons from Safri Duo and joining the group permanently? Safri Trio has a nice ring to it, also…
”Well,  unfortunately I would never even be able to catch up with Morten and Uffe´s musicality on that point, so no…..even the very simple stick thing in ”Agogo Mosse” took me a while, so that would never work unfortunately…..It's not my strong side, but it's definitely theirs!”


The weather here is so much different from the weather in LA….how did you cope with that?
”I still haven't coped with it! I have a really big thing about weather and I actually don't like the weather! I think in general it changes peoples´ moods and it changes mine. I get really really depressed when it rains. I just stay inside and don't go anywhere. The semi-cold weather is ok, but I don't like the Winter….hmmm, I'm a funny guy….”


Do you have any fears?
” I have tons! I don't think there's enough room!
I guess one would be small spaces. I don't like small spaces.
And I don't really like heights! But yet...one of my goals is to jump out of a plane with a parachute someday. Because then I'll conquer my fear of heights.With small spaces it's different, because what am I gonna do? Sit in a box for 6 hours?!

Oh! Here's a big fear: WATER. I h-a-t-e water. I can't stand swimming pools! I can't stand the ocean. I had a bad experience once in the ocean, so I just put my feet in.”


If the world ended tomorrow, what would you do on this last day?
”I´d sing.
I'd sit at the piano and sing.
And the world would end, and I would just close my eyes and disappear.”


What´s the best thing anyone has ever done for you?
”Raise me. She raised me and she let me go. That was the best thing she ever did. And I'm sure it was the hardest thing she ever did.”


If you could make a sickness go away, which one would you choose?
”HIV. And then of course cancer would be second.”


If you could donate a million dollars to one charity, which one would it be?
”You know…I always think about that, and think of HIV, but there are so many people, who donate money to that charity, so I would try and pick one a little more obscure. Something that you maybe don't know too much about. But I don't know what that would be. I guess I would go with HIV or one of the foundations, that help kids in need.”


Who is your favourite author?
”Stephen King!”


If you could go back and change something in your lifetime, what would you do different?
”You know…I could make a list of things, but I would just regret making the list. So nothing.”


How old were you when you got your first girlfriend?
”I was…..11 and living in North Carolina. And she was also 11. But the first time I fell in love, I was 14.”


Do you believe in love at first sight?
”I don't know..because I haven't seen it. And I only believe what I see.”


Are you in a relationship?
”No. I'm not a relationship person. There's just too much to do in this period of my life to have a relationship I think. There are already so many distractions, that I may make for myself, that I can't be in a relationship. It takes 50% of you to make it work, and I need 100% of me to make this work, so I think I'll wait ´till I'm in my 30´s to be quite honest”


Would you like to have a family once…with kids and a white picket fence?
”Right now…no.
-But I would like a big house in Bel Air! And a staff of 20! You know…if you see it…it could happen. –And I've been looking at that one reeeaaaaal real hard!”


Which of the following abilities would you like to have: Being able to breathe under water or to fly?
”Fly! I have always wanted to fly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How would you like to be remembered?
”Oh….just a guy, who made a difference with music. And as a nice person.”