We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anthony Newes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Music has been deeply part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s hard to pin point a specific moment when I knew I wanted to be a musician. When I was really young my mom owned and operated a small craft store in the small town I grew up in. Each day I would take a nap in the back of her store. I’m told the retired ladies in the neighborhood would often come in each day to listen to the little boy in the back sing himself to sleep. So music has always been something that’s part of who I am. Like a life-long friendship.

Anthony, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Anthony Newes and I am a Minneapolis-based musician. I am a songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.

I have been writing, recording and performing music for nearly 30 years. As a teenager, I began organizing shows for my punk rock band, and worked at Pachyderm Studios before moving out west to focus on jazz improvisation, vocal arrangements and song writing.

For over 20 years, I’ve been living in Minneapolis. I’ve been fortunate enough to have collaborated with a lot of talented artists both locally and nationally including members of Atmosphere, Trampled By Turtles, Polica, Brother Ali, P.O.S., Cut Chemist, Prince Paul and countless others.

I am probably most known for my work in the bands Bones & Beeker and Villa, but I also release music as a solo artist. The music I’ve made has made the rotation on local and nationally radio, as well as featured in commercials, television and films. Most recently, the Bones & Beeker track ‘Each Time I Day’ was played on Fox’s NFL Kickoff show.

I have found that the best work is done not at a table or in the studio, but when not engaged in music at all. It is the experiences and connections away from the studio that allow me to connect with any type of creative idea, whether it is with music, teaching, parenting or whatever.

Beyond music, I also have a Master of Education degree and I work primarily with immigrants and refugees on their educational goals. When I’m not writing and teaching, I am often exploring the natural world with my family.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My compass directs me towards creation. I keep my life as simple as possible. It comes down to the same four things: music, family, community and nature, and are all deeply intertwined. One feeds the other, and I don’t have a desire for much else.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Pay attention to the people around you, particularly the quiet ones. The loud ones are easy to hear, but the soft ones have much to give too.

Listen to the music that you purchase from us. Don’t just buy it. Engage with it. Share it with your kids and parents and the quiet ones. Never just buy it.

And build something useful with your neighbor’s trash while you’re at it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anthonynewes.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-dark-of-the-sea
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.newes/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.newes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX8oOXCqQOd2uyEV4-29r3Q/featured
• Other: https://villamusic.bandcamp.com/album/villa https://villamusic.bandcamp.com/album/plains-fog-cold-and-snow https://open.spotify.com/artist/2eUgwyMobMitdjib3FxQVF https://soundcloud.com/bones-beeker

Image Credits
Charlie Quade Sarah White