Things are definitely looking up for The Burnt Pines. The international folk-pop trio’s self-titled 2021 debut album spent 11 weeks on the AMA/CDX Top 50 Americana Album Chart. They just released the intoxicating new single The Ghost Living In My Beer — which they naturally premiered right HERE. And their forthcoming sophomore album — fittingly titled Don’t Look Down and due in early February — should help bring their sincere, rootsy sound to the wider audience it deserves. But first, guitarist Aaron Flanders bit the bullet and waded through my dumb questions. If that doesn’t bring him down, nothing will. Here’s how it went:
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie), home base and any other details you’d care to share — height / weight / identifying marks / astrology sign / your choice.
Aaron Flanders – Boston, MA – 6’ tall, 145 lb., Virgo.
What is your musical origin story?
I played and studied classical piano as a child, switched to drums and rock ’n’ roll in high school, and also started playing guitar in high school. Later studied classical guitar, and also folk, rock and pop music as a guitarist.
What’s your latest project?
The Burnt Pines, a folk-pop band, and our new album, Don’t Look Down, our second album.
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
I think probably the different musical backgrounds of our founding members in The Burnt Pines coming together in our co-songwriting, and also our lead singer, Kris Skovmand’s voice and lyrics.
How will my life improve by listening to your music?
Hopefully our music will uplift and inspire you, and cause you to reflect in a positive and meaningful way.
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played.
Having previously written mostly instrumental music, I got a Deering guitar-banjo, and was inspired by it to write my first singing song, which I was so pleased with, that I began writing more, and then ultimately co-writing in our trio of The Burnt Pines.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you have given?
I was once hired to play a private dinner party, and instructed by the host to arrive at the door, and feign surprise when the host told me that he had cancelled the event. I was told to argue at the door with the host, in earshot of all the guests, and finally to have the host agree to let me come in and play anyway. I then played to an extremely tense and anxious crowd of guests, who weren’t sure what to make of the whole affair. It was all staged, and very odd.
What living or dead artists would you like to collaborate with?
I’d love to collaborate with Marcus Mumford, The Lumineers or Richard Bona.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
None, my musical tastes are wide and all-encompassing.
What words do you hope people use when they describe you?
Thoughtful, emotionally accessible, creative, artistic, kind, caring, loving.
What useful (or useless) skills do you have outside of music?
I’m an incredibly talented balloon sculptor!
Who (what) can you do an impression of?
I can do an amazing impression of a camel chewing!
Tell us a joke.
A man went in to see his doctor. His doctor said, “Sir, I’m afraid you’re going to have to stop masturbating.” The man said, “WHAT?! Are you kidding me?! How come?!” And the doctor said, “So I can examine you.”
What do you collect?
Old baseball cards, old DC comic books, and old coins.
If money was no object, where would you live?
I love Boston, where I currently live.
Which historical event do you wish you had witnessed?
Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.
What are your pet peeves?
Bad grammar and bad punctuation.
What are you afraid of?
Not heights, but, widths!
Who should play you in the movie of your life?
Christian Bale.
What’s your motto?
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad.
What’s always in your refrigerator?
Liberté yogurt.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d be a billionaire.
What’s the best and / or worst advice you were ever given?
Low expectations = low disappointment.
Watch the videos for The Ghost Living In My Beer above, hear more from The Burnt Pines below, and buy them a round at their website, Instagram and Facebook.
