Questions & Answers with Musician Drew Peterson

Drew Peterson will perform at the Door County Brewing Co. in Baileys Harbor on Feb. 15, 7 pm. Submitted.

Drew Peterson is about as Minnesotan as you can get, and his music evokes the back-country flavor of growing up on a rural farm and putting in the hard work. His music – folk, bluegrass, singer-songwriter – is most potent when he’s showing off his husky, seasoned vocals, which he’s sure to butter up with a Miller High Life.

Ahead of his visit to the Door County Brewing Co. in Baileys Harbor on Feb. 15 at 7 pm, I asked a few fun, fresh questions to get to know him a little bit.

Celeste Benzschawel (CB): You grew up on a farm. What was your least favorite and most favorite chore?

Drew Peterson (DP): I don’t know … It has been so long. Shoveling sh*t is never fun. I loved being around animals all the time.

CB: You have a solo album release coming up in March. What are you looking forward to the most?

DP: A lot of people who started out as fans have really turned into good friends, so it will be great to see them. I just love playing. It’s exciting to be playing new stuff, and it’s always interesting to throw the new stuff out at an audience to see what works and what doesn’t.

CB: If you had to describe your sound in three words, what would you say?

DP: Resonator, songwriter, raspy.

CB: What about Minnesota inspires your songwriting?

DP: I think I find the most inspiration in just being playful. I don’t really know. I feel like I’m pretty Midwestern and Minnesotan through and through, so it’s hard for me to pinpoint. The Minnesota thing of trying to cram everything in during the summer has a lot to do with my creative process. In my travels to other areas, I have noticed that people seem to have more of a consistent pace. In Minnesota, we have a different pace. During the summer, we are much more active, and in the winter, we kind of hibernate. When it’s time to go [summer], I go. When it’s time to be introspective [winter], I write. Don’t waste a moment – I try not to waste words or waste time.

CB: If you had to pick a beer that fits best with your music, what would you choose and why?

DP: Miller High Life. It’s my favorite beer. It’s very drinkable and unpretentious. I think my music is pretty down to earth, accessible, drinkable, no frills.

CB: Who are you listening to right now for inspiration?

DP: I’ve been on a Pogues kick lately. Their album Rum Sodomy & The Lash has pretty much been in constant play around here. I love that it is so gritty and fearless.

CB: What are you looking forward to about your visit to Door County?

DP: The owners and staff at Door County Brewing are the best. It’s a family-run business, and there’s not a bad one in the bunch. They are always so professional and kind, and it’s a beautiful venue to play in!