Black Dirt Music Festival 2019, Simeon Marie Photography
Meet Eda
When Edward David Anderson sings of rolling sand hills, prickly pear cactus and a river that “flows like wine,” he takes us on a trip down a dusty country road, to a little town in west central Illinois called Havana. “Get your kicks on the 1-3-6” the journeyman songwriter/multi-instrumentalist croons on his latest offering Still the River out now on his own Black Dirt Records.
The Backyard Tire Fire frontman and his family headed west down US 136 where they found a piece of land and some peace of mind in the middle of a pandemic. The Andersons moved into an old farmhouse on a bird & butterfly sanctuary a few miles from the Illinois River and the change proved fruitful. The setting inspired the prolific writer to spin another batch of timeless tunes highlighting his new surroundings and joys of having recently become a father.
In true homestead fashion, the recording was self-produced and engineered in a small studio designed by EDA. Making most of the sounds on the album himself (with mixing engineer Adam Gardner lending a capable hand), Anderson laid down a 10 song collection which was awarded grant funding from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
From the first line “Evening primrose in August, bee balm in July,” to a rollicking road trip from Atlanta to Havana, we’re transported to a land of “hardwood floors and dollar stores” where gangsters once hunted ducks by day and hit the casinos at night. There’s an array of sounds here too folks. Stuff to tickle the ear, showcasing EDA’s love for the studio and ample instrumental prowess. On the final track he vows “I’m gonna shine my light all around…” and delivers on that promise throughout this beautiful recording. Still the River is indeed a compelling snapshot of a transformative moment in a musical journey that spans three decades.
* EDA has been featured on NPR's World Cafe, has twice appeared on the nationally syndicated radio program Mountain Stage, as well as the PBS television show Sun Studio Sessions and has been in regular rotation on radio stations across the globe since the mid-1990s.You can find him performing live as a solo artist and with his bands Backyard Tire Fire, Black Dirt Revival and Alabama Getaway.
Still the River
“HE HAS THAT RARE ABILITY TO OPEN HIS SOUL AND UNFOLD HIS STORES IN A NATURAL STYLE THAT IS SIMULTANEOUSLY GUILELESS AND UNIVERSAL, A DIRECT HIT TO THE HEART.”
-JOHNNY HICKMAN, CRACKER
Edward David Anderson’s 5th solo release captures the joy of becoming a father and moving to a rural homestead where the land inspired this 10 song collection. Released in September 2024 on his own Black Dirt Records, and with grant funding from the Illinois Arts Council, Still the River showcases EDA’s knack for creating beautiful messages and melodies that make you smile and hit the repeat button.
Discography
Still the River, EDA 2024
Black Dirt Blue Sky, BTF 2021
Live and Solo, EDA 2020
Chasing Butterflies, EDA 2018
Lower Alabama: The Loxley Sessions, EDA 2015
Lies & Wishes, EDA 2014
Low-Fi Goodness EP, EDA 2013
Magic Box EP, Magic Box 2013
Good to Be, Backyard Tire Fire 2010
The Places We Lived, Backyard Tire Fire 2008
Sick of Debt EP, Backyard Tire Fire 2008
Vagabonds and Hooligans, Backyard Tire Fire 2007
Skin & Bones EP, Backyard Tire Fire 2006
Bar Room Semantics, Backyard Tire Fire 2005
Backyard Tire Fire, Backyard Tire Fire 2003 (CD/DVD)
Live at the Georgia Theatre, Backyard Tire Fire 2002
Days Turn to Months, Brother Jed 1999
Plush Velvet City, Brother Jed 1998
Brother Jed, Brother Jed 1996
*EDA is endorsed by D’Addario, Thomas Guitars, McKee Guitars & Vanstory Cigar Box Guitars.
