Anthony Presti Releases Introspective Indie Folk Single “Simple Things"

Francesco_Echo_3 — Photo credit: Francesco Echo

We chat with indie folk artist Anthony Presti ahead of today’s release of “Simple Things.” With a music journey rooted in the gritty grunge scene of his hometown Seattle and sharpened by a decade in the Northern California punk and hardcore circuit, Presti’s evolution as a solo artist is a story of reinvention. After years of touring in a hardcore band, the breakup left him with little more than the acoustic guitar his aunt gave him as a child; but it gave him the freedom to discover his voice. Check it out below.

Thanks so much for chatting with me! I’m starting with one of the things I find most interesting about you, beyond your music, which is that you describe yourself as a “musical vagabond.” Tell me more about that.

I’ve sort of always lived a vagabond life, starting from when I was a child. Circumstances had me moving between Seattle and the Bay Area throughout most of my childhood, and along the way I was introduced to many different scenes and musical inspirations.

A couple that I remember pretty vividly are the times I spent with my Aunt Nikki. Her boyfriend at the time taught me how to play the guitar and they were big Deadheads, but they also loved Guns N’ Roses. I remember riding in her VW Van blasting “Welcome to the Jungle” on one of our many camping trips. Another time we were driving to my grandmother’s house and they took a detour. We drove very slowly past a long driveway that had caution tape blocking off the entrance. It turned out to be Kurt Cobain’s house.

My father gave me my first cd- AC/DC’s “Let There Be Rock.” And while I was soaking in all the hard rock that was fed to me, I’d go to my friend’s house where we’d wait for our parents to leave and break out our Onyx and Snoop Dog tapes. I got in big trouble for having the “Doggystyle” album. I still don’t know what the big deal was.

My mom took me to my first concerts- Jacket Jackon’s Rhythm Nation tour, Lollapalooza 93’ and Page and Plant. They all blew my mind for various reasons but I was mesmerized by that world.

In High School, I went through the Korn phase and the Marilyn Manson phase and obsessed over the Deftones. And then I discovered Radiohead and Modest Mouse- that opened my world into this psychedelic indie rock sound.

Post high school I was in a long relationship with a lady and a band. Almost simultaneously, both had ended and I was left alone in my apartment with an acoustic guitar. From there I delved into a lot of Neil Young, Elliott Smith and Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison- two of my grandfather’s favorite artists. It changed my musical identity and from there I started blending all these influences as a solo artist. My identity is ever changing and I’m a firm believer in evolving both personally and musically. I’ve since grown fond of reggae in the past decade- old roots and contemporary, and you can hear hints of that in my newer music as well.

Additionally, you’re currently based in San Francisco, which holds a special place in my heart for the way the music community always felt so welcoming. How, if at all, does the Bay Area and its community influence your music or lifestyle?

I moved to San Francisco from Sonoma County over ten years ago. I met some amazing musicians, some of whom are my best friends and have experienced some of my best musical times with. I feel like I’ve taken advantage of the resources here. I recorded my album “Existentialism” at John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone Studios before it moved to Oakland. I tracked “Different Places” at the infamous Hyde Street Studios. One of my first gigs was as a music journalist for a local online zine, which gave me the opportunity to interview and review some of my favorite bands and artists. But most of all, the culture, the ruggedness and the aura of the city has really shaped who I am as a person. You’re never lonely here.

You have a new single out called “Simple Things,” huge congrats! Describe “Simple Things” in three words.

Pretty Bad Ass

Who would you say the music is for fans of?

This particular track reminds me a lot of a blend between maybe Goose, Jack Johnson, Dave Mathews Band and The Grateful Dead. Blue Radio really knocked it out of the park.

You recorded “Simple Things” at White Whale Studios with Blue Radio. What went into choosing those partners? Can you tell me a bit more about the collaborations?

So Rob, the drummer of Blue Radio, was my live drummer up until the pandemic. We had played a gig together and his other band- Blue Radio- was on the bill. When I saw them I was in awe of their chemistry and musicianship. I sort of always knew I wanted to work with them in some capacity. I love collaborations and I usually have a vision of how I want a track to be recorded, so when it came time to record this song, I knew they were my guys. They agreed and the rest is history. The song was written during the pandemic but it came to life when we all got into a room and rehearsed.

White Whale Studios had also been on my radar for quite some time. My buddy Andy, who plays in Tsunami Bomb, had done some recording there and had great things to say about Stuart, the house engineer. It turned out that Blue Radio and I had worked with Stu in some capacities so when it came time to record there was already a comfort and familiarity. I had the track mixed by Jay Pellicci at Brothers Recording in Oakland who’s one of my favorite mixing engineers of all time.

I think it’s really interesting how you come from a background of punk and hardcore and now your music is best described as folk rock. It reminds me a little of Frank Turner’s path! But these, in many ways, are very different genres, so tell me a bit more about that.

I lived in Arizona for a short stint when I was a young teen and loved Green Day and Rancid because they were all over the radio, but when I moved to Santa Rosa there was this whole underbelly punk rock scene that blew my mind. I got sucked into bands like AFI and Op Ivy. I dyed my hair, I pierced my face. I read Henry Rollis’ ‘Get in the Van’ and wanted to be punk so badly. I played in a hardcore band for over ten years, it was all I knew, but towards the end I could just feel myself pushing another direction. I really started to favor singing over screaming. I introduced acoustic guitar on a couple songs and the band was wary of my direction. It was inevitable, but there were other influences that I wanted to explore. Later in life my mother had dated a guy from Tennessee and he would play the Allman Brothers and The Band. He took me to a Kenny Wayne Shepherd show at a small club that blew my mind. I ended up having an affinity for this type of southern rock and blues and country. There’s only so much you can suppress before you have to satisfy all your outlets.

Are there any specific songs, artists, or memories which had a pivotal impact on your music or the direction you took?

I think I’ve hit on quite a few bands and artists so far but I remember interviewing Matt Costa for the zine I wrote for. The guy was like my kindred spirit. He said something along the lines that he had to be very careful of who he’s listening to while writing a record or a song because he couldn’t help for that influence to appear. I think he definitely nailed my perspective when it comes to songwriting.

Speaking of influences, you’ve mentioned your aunt gave you your first acoustic guitar. I love an origin story! Do you ever wonder what would have happened if not for that?

I’m very thankful that I had a couple of Uncle’s who married into my family and actually played guitar because no one in my direct family had any musical talent. They sort of took me under the reins, took me to their band practices and encouraged me to play. I learned mostly by ear on my own accord but if I was never gifted that guitar, I’d probably be in prison haha.

“Simple Things” is part of your upcoming EP Lemon Moon. When can we expect that? Are all the songs similar to “Simple Things?”

I’m really excited for this EP. The songs are all pretty different, because that’s just what I do. I worked with multiple engineers- Ryan Hayes out of Austin, Texas and Aubrey Whitfeild in the UK. I recorded most of the other songs at a cottage I rented out in Sebastopol and had them mixed by other engineers, including myself. It’s been really fun to hear the contrasts of the songs and how a mixing engineer influences the final product. The next single from that EP will be “Never Gonna Be Famous,” a sort of tongue and cheek indie song.

Now just a few quick questions to wrap us up! First song you ever wrote. Do you still remember it?

Oh wow, that’s going back. I remember writing a song that was basically a D chord all over the neck. I figured out how to record it through my mom’s stereo and I was so excited. It was very Pearl Jam-esque.

Dream tour? I’m talking other artists, cities, what’s on the rider, etc.

If Dr. Dog reunites, I’d ride with them wherever they go. Dream venue- Red Rocks for sure.

Favorite childhood band?

Has to be either Pearl Jam, Megadeth or Raffi.

Best concert?

That’s a tough one. I recently saw Little Stranger at Ace of Spades in Sacramento, that was a party! Radiohead at OutsideLands (the second time), Pearl Jam at Bottlerock and Prince’s ‘Piano and Microphone Tour’ all stand out. I’ve never seen anyone command an audience of forty thousands plus like Prince had.

What’s one last thing you want readers to know?

I’m a total cat dad. I recently got a tattoo of my cat, Church, who passed away a couple of years ago and have a new tuxedo cat named Nellie that’s been leash trained. She loves walks in Golden Gate Park!

Thank you again!

Thank you!

Known for his live-looping performances, Presti has shared stages with Grammy-nominated artist Gretchen Peters and national acts like The Deer and Little Tybee. He’s toured extensively, playing Santa Rosa’s Live at Juilliard Park Festival Series, and released three studio albums, including “Different Places”, recorded at San Francisco’s legendary Hyde Street Studios.

“Simple Things” was recorded at White Whale Studios in Santa Rosa with support from the band Blue Radio. It marks the beginning of a new chapter as Presti works on a forthcoming self-produced EP titled Lemon Moon, due out later this year.