Upon Wings

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Upon Wings own Anne Autumn Erickson

Interview conducted on May 30, 2020

Upon Wings hails from the U.S. and features operatic rock and metal with a deeply classical influence.

Dan Locke: What is your upbringing?

Anne Autumn Erickson: Thank you for this interview! I grew up in Michigan with wonderful parents who introduced me to theater and musical theater early on, so that led me to my love for music.

How did you discover music?

My parents were very into theater and musical theater, so I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” when I was 4 years old and started singing that same year. I stumbled upon rock music on the radio in high school, and I thought, “What is this music? I love this!” I was drawn to rock and metal music the moment I heard it.

What was your first and last concert you went to see?

Hmmm, it depends on if my first concert as a little kid counts. My first concert as a young girl was probably New Kids on the Block or something like that! My first concert on my own was actually Goo Goo Dolls, Sugar Ray, and Fastball, and since Goo Goo Dolls was a Metal Blade band for a while, I’m cool with that, haha. There’s no denying the Goos write great, melodic songs. The last concert I saw was Tool, which was amazing. Maynard James Keenan is incredible. He’s a huge inspiration.

You are a Mezzo Soprano singer. How did you start singing?

I started singing at 4 and would sing opera and music that was for a much more developed voice! When I got older, I took singing lessons and studied voice and singing in college.

How did you start to write music?

I started writing music by taking some poetry I was writing and setting it to melodies. The poetry turned into lyrics, and that made me want to create full songs with my words and melodies.
I see you play bass. Do you remember how you got your first bass?
Good question- I do! I went to a locally-owned music store and bought a used Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. It’s such a great bass! It’s very heavy, but that helps give it a great tone.

And do you still have it?

I do! I don’t think I could ever part with it.

Why did you decide to start a symphonic metal band in Detroit?

I don’t know if I ever really decided to start it. It just happened. I started writing this music, and the gothic themes and textures landed themselves to some symphonic backings. So, it just evolved and happened.

How the band did get its name?

I was thinking of different band names for a while, and then, I read a Bible verse, “They That Wait Upon The Lord, Shall Renew Their Strength, They Shall Mount Up with Wings of Eagles,” and the band name “Upon Wings” kind of came to mind. I thought it had a mysterious, unique aura.

Why did it take you so long to record your first LP “Afterlife”?

That took a while. A few of the songs were recorded in Michigan, and the title track was recorded in Chicago. It just took time, because I wanted it to be something special.

How did you come up with the idea of “Amazing Grace”?

I kept hearing the song in different situations dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, and I saw how the song was giving people hope and comfort. That inspired me to release a version of the song and a music video with Upon Wings.

How was it to work with Corey Lowery on a special version of “Amazing Grace”?

He is so great! He’s very talented and kind. He actually mixed our song “You Are My Weapon” of the “Afterlife’ EP, so we had worked together before.

In the song, you have put quotes by famous people. Why did you pick people like John Lennon?

I thought of different inspirational people in different fields, music and beyond. John Lennon has so many inspiring quotes, so I knew he would be a good one to pick. Same goes for Bono of U2 and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana.

Let’s talk about your upcoming EP? Do you have a title for it yet? What is it going to be like?

We don’t have a title yet, but we do plan to release it later this year. “Amazing Grace” will appear on the EP. It’s a bit different for Upon Wings, in that so much of our music has been writing about grief in the past, and this EP has different themes. I’m excited for people to hear it.

How was it that you got to hang out with Lizzy Hale on International Women’s Day?

Lzzy Hale is so supportive of women in music. I have met her before and spoken with her about music and the music business, so I tweeted out a photo of us together on International Women’s Day, and she was kind enough to retweet it. She’s incredible!

How do you think the Me Too Movement has helped female artist?

That’s a tough question. I think it’s possible the Me Too Movement has stopped some incidents from happening before they could start. For example, it’s possible some people now think twice before trying something they shouldn’t, knowing they are more likely to be held accountable.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

It’s everywhere now, and it’s the present and future, so it’s here to stay!

Digital vs. vinyl?

Great question! I love classic vinyl. Digital is quick and easy to access, though. So, both!

Any plans to tour?

Well, with the coronavirus pandemic, I don’t think we’ll be touring anytime soon. But we would love to, at some point.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?

AFI, “Girl’s Not Grey.” I fell in love with that song the second I heard it. That whole album, “Sing the Sorrow,” has a beautiful gothic feel and it’s the kind of music that made me want to make my own music.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

It’s impacting it so much right now. Everything from huge stadium tours to small club shows have been shut down. If anything, it’s taught us that we can’t predict the future, so it’s hard to know how it will permanently change the music business. But it will be more focused on connecting with listeners online, while shows are off.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Working on “Amazing Grace” definitely took time, and now, we’re promoting it and getting it out there! That’s been really enjoyable. I’ve also been doing Zoom with friends and always have different projects to keep me busy. I also have a podcast that you can hear wherever you listen to podcasts, just search “Audio Ink.” It’s on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts, so please subscribe.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I’ve been so busy writing music and with the other things, that I haven’t really discovered any new hobbies. Yet. But, hopefully soon.

Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?

I would love to do something like that, and it’s definitely on the table. First, I’m getting this “Amazing Grace” video out there and then I hope to do some special performances on social media, because I’ve been enjoying those, too.

Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?

I don’t know, but I’m sure as things go forward, everyone in the music business will figure out if that’s a possibility.

First it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?

I think it’s certainly possible, the way they’re talking about a timeline for mass events and a vaccine. It’s hard to believe, I know.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

I haven’t been into the whole hologram thing, but perhaps in this situation, it would actually make sense.

You just started to work for WRIF. How is that?

It’s great! Everyone their rocks, and it’s a legendary, amazing rock station.

While there you created a binge list of what you think people should be watching. Now that it has lasted (COVID-19), do you feel that you should chance the list?

I did! I think the best thing to watch on self-quarantine is rock movies and documentaries. There are so many out there!

How do you see yourself in the next five years?

I used to look ahead and predict my future, but I’ve found that just having faith and leaving it up to God works best for me. So, I really have no idea. Hopefully I’m happy, healthy and making music.

Anything you would like to say in closing?

Thank you, again, for your time doing this interview. Please follow Upon Wings and check us out on all socials! You’ll find us at UponWings.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Upon Wings and on YouTube at UponWingsOfficial. I hope you enjoy “Amazing Grace,” and get ready for more music on the way, including some heavier stuff. I’m excited for you to hear it. Also, I saw that your magazine supports the U.S. Military, which is so great, and I just want to say thank you to our U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans for your service.