BIO

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.CA and consistently releasing interesting studio recordings has garnered the gifted songwriter critical praise & a national audience. 

Press

“Chasing Butterflies is a stunning collection of modern Americana. Poetic and fresh with a deceptively laconic quality making it all the more momentous. I don’t use the word often: brilliant.” — Donald Teplyske, Fervor Coulee

“He has a knack for infectious hooks, yet these are well-crafted songs; melodic and upbeat...they seem very real, as if they come from the life of a troubadour. Anderson continues to impress.” — Jim Hynes, Country Standard Time

“On Chasing Butterflies, Edward David Anderson commands our attention with his accomplished songwriting and sublime presentation. He certainly has mine. It’s a triumph.” — Rob Dickens, No Depression

"Chasing Butterflies is a treasure chest full of American songs, just waiting for you to open and find all of the joy and mysteries stored inside. Edward David Anderson's voice and these songs are like a back porch conversation with a great old long lost friend. You can pick up right where you left off and it always feels right." — Ed Jurdi, Band of Heathens

"EDA has always been one of my favorite songwriters and singers, and on Chasing Butterflies he has beautifully managed to capture the elusive dichotomy that is the American South- a combination of mystery, darkness and relaxed geniality. Great album." — Steve Berlin, Los Lobos

“Anderson possesses a storyteller’s touch and a guitar god’s muscle.” — Paste Magazine

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