Questions w/ Andrew Peterson (part two)

Here is part two of “Questions” w/ Andrew Peterson…

StSL – Even though StSL is primarily a music site, we have to touch on your fantasy novel series, "The Wingfeather Saga". The first two books, "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" and "North! Or Be Eaten" are available now, and there's more to come. Exactly how long have you had this whole other world brewing in your head?

Andrew – I used to read a lot when I was a kid. I was torn between wanting to write songs, write books, draw pictures, or make movies. This burn to create has been inside me for as long as I can remember. In high school I realized girls were more interested in guitar players than comic book nerds, so music took over. But in the back of my mind I’ve nursed the dream to write. I started this story five or six years ago, with a map. I didn’t have any idea what the story would be about, but I knew I had to have a map. After that, making the world of Aerwiar and Janner Igiby and toothy cows more or less came easy. The hard part was writing it.

StSL – I know you're an admirer of the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. How much of a source of inspiration has that been for your different avenues of writing?

Andrew – I can’t overstate what an effect those guys’ works have had on my writing—but not just my writing. My faith has been deeply affected by their way of understanding the Creator, their thoughtful approach to the Gospel and the person of Christ. I know Jesus better because their books gave me better eyes with which to see him. That’s one of the many gifts of art.

StSL – Ben Shive and Andy Gullahorn, also known as "The Captains Courageous", have written and toured with you for years. What is it about that collaboration that remains so strong?

Andrew – I think those guys play with me because I bribe them with food. I feed them well. It’s not because we get along constantly, because we don’t. And it’s not because I pay them so well, because I can’t. It’s not because I’m such a great musician, because I’m not. It might be because we love each other, but since we’re dudes I can’t say that. It must be the food. As for me, I admire them. I admire their musicianship, their marriages, their writing, their commitment to their churches, their relationship with Christ. God knows, I need to be in community with men like that.

StSl – The Square Peg Alliance and The Rabbit Room are just two examples of one of the things I admire most about you; your emphasis on community. Why is that so important to you?

Andrew – I don’t know. I just enjoy bringing people together. I love watching relationships form in front of me, and I love watching the music that’s made when that happens. I don’t just mean actual music. Whenever I go to a movie with, say, Ben, I’ll think, “Oh, we need to call Ben’s brother. I bet he’d want to come. Oh, and Kevin. I haven’t seen him in a while. And my brother’s just down the drive. I should see if he wants to come.“ Sometimes we end up with seven or eight guys at the movie, and I wonder what happened. I think the Rabbit Room is a more official version of that. Art thrives in a Christ-centered community—and of course so does love, fellowship, service, and real life.

StSL – What are you focusing on right now and what can we expect in the near future from Andrew Peterson?

Andrew – I’m about to make a brand new album with Ben and Andy (as well as our friend Gabe Scott), and we’re doing it in a different way. In January we’re flying to Washington state, driving deep into the mountains, and recording most of it in a secluded studio. I want to do it just to change things up a bit, but I’m pretty sure they’re in it for the food. As of now, I have exactly four new songs I’m pretty sure will be on the album—“The Last Frontier”, “World Traveler”, “Fool with a Fancy Guitar”, and “Many Roads”, some of which I’ve played on the road for the last several months. I have six or seven more to write between now and January 17, so I’d better get busy.

But wait…before Andrew gets too busy, we still have more questions yet to come! There are many Andrew Peterson fans among the StSL community so we gathered five questions from our faithful readers, and we’ve got those answers coming tomorrow. So be sure to check back right here for part three of “Questions” w/ Andrew Peterson.