Erika M. Anderson, better known as EMA, plays rough and tough noise rock that's way more melodic than you'd expect at times. She got her start singing for Gowns, which she founded with her ex-boyfriend. But her solo recordings are next-level awesome. She recently released her third album, 'The Future's Void,' the follow-up to 2011's breakthrough 'Past Life Martyred Saints.' The new LP takes on everything from media to culture to the digitization of modern life. "I learned a lot about electronics, soft synths, analog synths, etc.," she says. "I feel like I have way more skills than I did before as far as production goes, which means I’ll be able to make more deliberate choices in future work." EMA took some time out of her busy schedule to answer five questions.

So, what exactly is missing from the future, if it's so void?
[You can read] 'The Future’s Void' many different ways. One way to look at it is that the idea of the future is a void idea, because it’s already here. We have finally arrived at the “future.” Another way is that the future is a void; it’s unwritten. Let’s worry about here and now.

You're from South Dakota. What do you think about 'Deadwood'?
I’ve never seen the show, but I visited [the real] Deadwood with my family as a kid.  We went to Kevin Costner’s casino there, as my dad loved 'Dances With Wolves.' But besides that, the west was rough and tumble, no joke!

Why initials, EMA?
Partially because I’m terrible at branding and partially because I think it will give me flexibility in the long term.

What is noise rock?
I’m not totally sure. A phrase that other people use to describe my music?

Do blondes have more fun?
Do blondes take more pills?

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