We got some nice words from Eric Peterson, also known as “AfterDRK” and we thought you might like to meet the Middle Tennessee native. He’ll be performing at the Musictree Festival in Manchester, on Saturday June 2, 2012 – Rotary Amphitheater – Doors open at 12:00 noon.
Erik Petersen II
Hometown
Manchester, TN
Basic Genre
Electronica
http://www.soundcloud.com/afterdrk
How long have you been playing?
I’ve been playing music since I was 8, starting with piano lessons (classic, right?). At age 12 I picked up percussion and drum set, followed by guitar at age 15. At the ripe young age of 22, I jumped into the electronic scene after really getting into artists like Deadmau5, Bassnectar, and Pretty Lights. I’ve been spinning tracks for almost a year now, although it feels like so much longer.
What do you do for fun? You know, besides music…
When I’m not making music, generally I’m working on one of the causes I support (I’m an active member of the Tennessee chapter of NORML), spending time with friends and/or family (usually friends), or wasting away in front of a television.
What’s on your personal playlist this week?
“Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity) Love – Incubus
Butterfly – Bassnectar
When The Rain is Gone – Adam Freeland
Acid Wolfpack – Coyote Kisses
Look At Mexico Now – Wick-It the Instigator
Snap Back Swag (Crizzly Remix) – AJ Hernz
Limelight – Rush”
Can you pin-point the moment that you knew you wanted to be a performing musician?
While music has always been an integral part of my life, I’d have to say the moment I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in for the rest of my life was after my first performance piece at my first piano recital. The recital was small, consisting of mainly parents and relatives, and occurred in the home of my piano teacher. Even though the audience was one from which applause was next to compulsory, I still felt a thrill and a rush like none other. It was such a surge of nerves, excitement, and simple unbridled energy; I knew there was no escape. It’s been the love of my life ever since, and I don’t see that changing.
What are your goals as a musician? How far would you like to go, what do you see as the next big hurdle?
My answer to this question is binary, for I have two ideologies that both deserve to be presented. Strictly as a musician, my goal is to play music and retain the ability to enjoy playing music as long as I’m fortunate enough to walk this earth. That’s pretty much it. As a performer, however, things get a little more complicated. As I have said, performing in front of a live audience is a rush like no other. Nothing can compare to producing something in front of an audience that they find stimulating and entertaining to the point of applause or, if you’re lucky, a standing ovation. Getting real-time appreciation for your artistic vision is a drug like no other. That being said, any performer will tell you that becoming a “famous” musician is definitely one of their aspirations. The hard part is turning your aspirations into reality, and one reason for that is the intricacy and complexity of the music business. That’s what my next hurdle is: convincing someone in the industry that I’m a marketable item. If I can convince a record label or studio that I’ve got a marketable talent, I feel like I’ll be a thousand leagues closer to achieving my life-long goal, which is actually not fame and fortune, but rather just enough to get by. If I can work in the music industry at all, whether it be studio work, coordinating performances, or (hopefully) performing as a musician, and I can make enough money to support myself and my family, I will die a happy individual.
Describe one of your most memorable moments in music.
Probably my most memorable moment in music is something that most people would find innocuous. It was a Thursday afternoon when I was in 8th grade. I came home from school, like I did every day, and plowed through my homework. It was a standing rule in the house that I was not to play my drum set (which I was just learning to play, much to the annoyance of my parents) until all my homework was done. Finally, the “i’s” were dotted and the “t’s” were crossed, and I sat down behind my kit. And, as per usual, after about thirty seconds of me wailing away, I was given an express command to shut my door. I played for a while, I don’t remember how long, but finally I was called down for supper. That particular evening, we had a guest in the house and, after dinner, during the typical post-meal banter among friends and family, the subject of my progress as a drummer came up. Instead of the typical paternal response of “he’s getting used to it, just give it time,” or “he’s making some real progress,” or anything along those lines, which is what I was used to hearing, my father actually said “He’s getting really good, you should hear him play something.” It was that moment that I realized my parents respected me as a musician. Not as a learner, but at someone who had mastered the basics of their craft. While I am no Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy, the realization that my parents actually respected my musical ability and that they were proud of it is something I’ll never forget.
Where would you choose to build a vacation home?
If I could build a vacation home anywhere in the world, it would almost certainly end up in southern France, somewhere on the French Mediterranean coastline. I’ve been to Europe several times, but this small area of France is always my favorite part of the visit. It’s quiet, it’s gorgeous, and it’s somewhere I feel I could really relax and let my mind go. I’m at ease there, and if that’s not a vacation, then I don’t know what is.
How did you learn of Music Tree?
Well, between a life-long personal relationship with Chip, a propensity to read the Saturday Independent, and a decent knowledge of musical current events, it was almost inevitable that Music Tree would eventually grace my ear. However, it turned out to be Chip that really got me involved. I was letting him listen to one of my tracks at his office about a month and a half ago, and he told me about the tentative plan to have a festival prior to Bonnaroo. As soon as I heard that, I’ve been keeping close tabs on any and all news pertaining to Music Tree.
How do you feel about being a part of the Music Tree Festival?
It’s something that is difficult to put into words, but I’ll give it a shot. It’s a combination of pride, nerves, excitement, a little arrogance if I’m being honest, but most of all, simple joy that I’m part of something bigger than myself, something that I believe in, and something that I think has the potential to revolutionize how Manchester is viewed by both the music community and the community as a whole.
Do you have plans for Bonnaroo?
The same plans I’ve had for as long as I can remember: work and music. For the past 10 years, my family has operated a vending booth next to Which Stage that benefits the Coffee County High School cheerleading squad… Since the cheerleaders get no funding from the school, all of their expenses must be covered privately or by outside resources, i.e. my booth. So, every year my friends and I plow through a weekend of working and listening to as much music as we can. It is always a rough weekend, but it is always a fantastic one.
