Ex-TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA violinist Anna Phoebe is featured in a new interview with Joel Gausten. An excerpt is available below:

Most recently, US audience experienced Phoebe’s extraordinary playing during Ian Anderson’s Thick As A Brick 1 & 2 tour – although not exactly live. Instead of seeing Phoebe take the stage on this most recent trek, fans were instead treated to a “live” Skype jam between Phoebe and Anderson’s live band on a nightly basis.

“I got a phone call at 8:30am one morning from Ian saying he’d woken up with the idea that I would join them ‘virtually’ on stage,” she recalls. “With Ian, you just say yes and see where his idea develops. He came up with the whole idea and asked if my husband would appear (in the Skype video) as the Frogman. Ian’s a crazy genius. But a serious crazy genius.”

Having been so intimate with the Tull material, why does Phoebe feel Anderson’s work with the band has stood the test of time and resonated with audiences for as long as it has?

“Because it is completely musical with serious musical weight, but always challenges the boundaries…and with a touch of humor,” she replies. “I think the ability to develop creatively, and to respect and be dedicated to your craft while still remaining humble and curious, allows your audience to remain loyal and grow with you. In addition to the quality of the music, Ian works very, very hard and has done so for decades. He is constantly inventive. Music is his life.”

Not surprisingly, Phoebe also counts her time with the late Jon Lord as a professional and artistic highlight.

“Along with Ian, Jon has definitely been the biggest inspiration musically,” she says. “Being on stage with him was an incredible honor. I think because of his Classical background and his intelligent, gentle and spiritual approach to life, music, people – the universe – it was just a deeply nourishing time working with him. I feel like I grew as a person and a player working with him. It’s very difficult to put the experience into words or soundbites of favorite memories - the whole thing just seems like this magical time. For me, it gave me confidence to return a little to my Classical roots, and really appreciate the space in music. I remember being in Russia with him where the show in St. Petersburg had a real magic on stage. There were at least a couple of moments where it felt like time stood still and we were completely in the present moment. It’s probably the closest I’ve ever come to having a spiritual moment on stage. It’s dependent on so many things - the music, the other musicians, the audience - but most of all it came from Jon. He just had a special aura about him, and anyone who’s ever met him or worked with him would say the same, I’m sure. I still keep his photo in my violin case; before I go on stage, I try and channel some of his energy. If I’m nervous or too full of adrenalin, thinking of him really calms and centers me.”

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Anna released her new EP, Embrace, on November 11th. The tracklist is as follows:

'The Duel'

'Embrace'

'In Continuum'

'Awaken'

The EP can be purchased via Anna Phoebe's online store here and on iTunes.

Check out the trailer below: