Interview with Emma Anzai from The Sick Puppies

Written by Mike Lopez, November 1, 2016, at 4:15 p.m.

I conducted an interview earlier this week with bassist/singer (and founding member) Emma Anzai of The Sick Puppies. An With other founding member Shimon Moore, this Australian bred, Cali-based hard rock outfit, played jaw dropping shows all across America…

Interview with Emma Anzai from The Sick Puppies

Slickster: Are there any misconceptions about your band you would like to clear up?

Emma Anzai: Hmmm not that I can think of!

What bands or genres influenced your style of music?

The Australian band Silverchair was a big influence from the very beginning, that band made me personally want to play music to begin with. They were so young and were doing such big things. It really gave hope and paved the way for a lot of young people at the time.

I quite enjoy your song “Where Do I Begin.” What inspired you to write that song?

Bryan and I had our instruments in our hands and were just jamming. Then we started playing the beginnings of the song literally from start to finish, verses and chorus all strung together. It was such a beautiful sounding song that the theme also came to us pretty quickly.

The song is close to the band’s heart. It’s a song that talks about not being able to move from the place you’re at, feeling frozen in time and that it’s never too late to try something new or to go for that thing that everyone might be telling you not to do. The song definitely empowered us as a band when we wrote it.

Do you prefer to play in large stadiums, or small music venues?

Both are great, but big festivals are the best! That raw energy and the unpredictable nature of things makes for a crazy and energizing show.

Where did you guys have your most memorable show?

Probably on the tour we are currently on. We played the Louder Than Life festival in Kentucky and that was a super special day. The crowd was one of the best crowds we’ve ever experienced, it was magic.

Is there a point in your career, for any reason you would like to have changed?

Not really, the only thing that I wished I could’ve done personally, which I’m doing more now is stopping the smell the roses a little more. Before, things moved so fast that every day would’ve a blur but I’m learning to take things in stride more now. WAY better. 🙂

Out of all your material, what would you say y’all had the most fun writing?

Most definitely Fury.

It was an album with a lot to prove and has a lot of raw energy on it. We dug deep as musicians and song writers to try and make something we were super proud of, and I believe we succeeded in doing that.

If you could go back in time to see a concert of your choice, what would you pick?

I would definitely pick ANY Rage Against the Machine show at any point in time. Still haven’t had the pleasure of seeing them yet but my fingers are crossed!

What do you guys like to before a show to get into the playing mood?

Warm up a lot and just focus energy on the show at hand. Sometimes it’s just stretching the limbs and sometimes it’s hydrating properly, sometimes it’s going over a part of a song on certain days. It varies from show to show.

For the person wanting to become a musician, what advice would you give them to lead them in the right direction?

I would say, make sure you’re in it for the long haul. It’s no easy road. Persistence and stamina will win. Keep doing it as long as it feeds your soul.

And lastly what’s next in the Sick Puppies’ agenda?

Just a whole bunch of touring! We have a new single out, “Where Do I Begin,” and we’ll be touring our album Fury for a while.

For more information about the band please go check out their website. They are an awesome band. Please show them some love.

Also please leave a comment down below, giving me a shout out! I love the feedback. If you guys have a band you want me to review, hit me up. Otherwise, see ya!