Nashville-based alternative musician, Edan Archer, has a fine new single aptly titled “Bad Imitation Of Something Good,” which in Archer’s words is her “going to say what’s on my mind, I’m going to make my own decisions, and I’m going to do what I think is right. I used to feel bad about it. Now I don’t.” The accompanying music video was filmed on an iPhone 7Plus by director Ed Agudelo, who filmed while on a skateboard, and holding on to the side of a vintage Dodge van.
The Florida native channels her roots with similarities to Tom Petty and his music, and in our interview with the strong-willed, sassy, yet sweet Southern charm, Archer talks about her new single. She also shares some insight into her upcoming album, working on and filming the music video for “Bad Imitation of Something Good,” and more.
Your newest single, “Bad Imitation Of Something Good” sends a strong and important message…what or who motivated you to write this song?
Edan Archer: In all transparency, I wrote this song a little about my current relationship and a little about all of my previous relationships. As someone who has struggled to find their place in the world artistically and therefore personally (I can’t separate the two), I spent so much time listening to other people’s ideas about who I should be. I’m finally realizing that other people’s expectations of me are none of my business! Not that I’m difficult and uncompromising, but I think that being a woman comes with a lot of unfair expectations, from romantic partners, that I have never really been into meeting. I’m going to say what’s on my mind, I’m going to make my own decisions, and I’m going to do what I think is right. I used to feel bad about it. Now I don’t.
I love that the video for the single is filmed entirely on an iPhone 7Plus by director Ed Agudelo…was that his idea, yours or both?
Edan: Thank you! Originally I wanted to rent a professional camera, but we just don’t have the budget for that. Then I noticed that a lot of artists (especially indie artists) are working within their means and creating things in their own way. That really liberated me to accept his idea of filming it with a cell phone. Honestly, I think if the visual and narrative ideas are strong, the iPhone has the capabilities to get an artist’s ideas across. And plus, we had one!
What was production like for the filming since there was barely any equipment, other than the iPhone, used?
Edan: Without giving away all of our secrets, we did have a few little tricks to help it look a bit smoother while filming. We also mapped out all of the shots, and how the story would work across all of the different locations. We mostly used the light already present at each location so there wasn’t much gear, except our speakers for playback. The hardest part was when Ed filmed me in the van while I was driving. He was riding a skate board and holding onto the window to get those shots! I was also a co-director. Ed set up the shots, and chose the angles and how to move the camera, and I chose the locations, the wardrobe and the story line too, which I’m very proud of. I even did the first edit, which Ed then added to and cleaned up a bit. Sometimes I almost think I bite off more than I can chew- “Let’s go to the skating rink! Also, we need a van!” but I can’t help it, it’s my nature.
You’re preparing to release your full-length album soon. What has the writing and recording process been like?
Edan: The writing happened in stages, and at different times. Six of them were recorded a year ago, and then I added four more, with a brand new one that I had just written. All of these songs have been with me, and I’ve performed them, road-tested them, and I love each and every one of them. They each have their own little birth story – one is from a much older song that I completely revised and wrote a new chorus to, one was written in twenty minutes first thing in the morning, and another one I wrote with my mom.
The recording process has been more complicated because half of it was done in New York and half here in Nashville. But it’s kind of cool to have different memories of where the songs were recorded, and the different musicians make each song unique also.
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Five Fun Facts
Who was your first concert?
Edan: Big White Undies in Gainesville, Florida.
What was your first album on CD, cassette and/or vinyl?
Edan: Oh lord. Definitely one of my parent’s vinyls; I used to spin Cheap Thrills by Janis Joplin all the time.
What five albums or bands would you not want to live without?
- The Beatles
- Tom Petty
- Lucinda Williams
- Gillian Welch
- Bob Dylan
Which female musician has inspired you the most throughout your life?
Edan: So many, it’s hard to choose! I used to really listen to a lot of Bonnie Raitt when I was learning to sing and write.I love how she plays guitar, is sexy but strong and dignified, and has kept making music on her own terms! I’d love to be like her one day.
Do you have a guilty entertainment pleasure?
Edan: Just between us, I’m addicted to 90s-early 2000s situation comedies with laugh tracks. I have them on in the background and watch them to go to sleep- there’s something comforting about it. I’ll watch an entire series, no matter how long it is. I just finished Frasier, which was actually pretty funny.
Edan’s Facebook and Instagram.