By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Marlene-Monroy
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) It’s kind of like Upper Mississippi River Valley folk-punk-R&B.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Musical and otherwise: The Butterfield Blues Band, Elia Kazan, The Clash, Bob Dylan and The Rizzler.
Q) What are some themes you explore on your new album Blind and Surrounded?
A) Life, death, loss, love, lust, despair, hope, division, unity, family, and isolation.
Q) You collaborate with your son Shane on the album. How did you decide to share lead vocals with him for this?
A) He wrote a bunch of great songs. He’s been touring with us for about four years and several of his songs have worked their way into our live set. We wanted to capture this era. His contributions to this album give it a broader perspective and sonic canvas.
Q) “Bad Bad Man” and “Dance Hall Beats” are a couple of my favorite songs. Which tracks on this album hold a special place in your heart and why?
A) I like those songs as well. A special place in my heart? I’m not sure about that, but it’s always great when the songs you’ve written surprise you after they are recorded. Many of Shane’s songs did that. “Searching For a Change” certainly did that. There are no drums on that track – just finger snaps and tambourine for percussion and pads of background vocals from all of us.
Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) My songs are pretty lyrically driven – chunks of words and stories that get combined with chords and melodies. No exact process. It could be a beat that starts things off or a guitar riff or rhythm.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I produce all of it, but I get input from everyone I work with, too. Ed Tinley has produced much of my music and Ed still is a major contributor. He mixed the album.
Q) What songs off this album are you looking forward to performing live?
A) Honestly, most of them. We have been playing “We Better Get Packed,” “Who’s Been Hurtin'” and “Bad, Bad Man” and they’ve gone over well. Looking forward to adding in “Waiting For The Planes.”
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Blind and Surrounded as a whole – either as a message or emotion?
A) First, I hope they are entertained and that this music, and all music, brings them joy and is a distraction from any shit that might be going down in their lives. I think Shane’s songs are comforting and hopeful.
Q) What can fans expect from a live Ike & Shane Reilly performance?
A) Family disfunction, banter, sorrow, joy, harmony and division.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) I love playing in NYC, Chicago and Minneapolis. We love The First Avenue in Minneapolis. I’ve played there twenty-five Thanksgiving Eves in a row, with the exception of 2020. Recently, I played there with Tom Morello, Rise Against and Bruce Springsteen. We did a show in support of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were murdered by ICE. Bruce debuted “Streets of Minneapolis” there. Shane and I did about a 20-minute set and then we all played “Power To The People” and The Boss and I shared a microphone. It was a blast. The First Avenue is a special place.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Probably a non-musician. You can learn a lot about folks if you work on a song with them. Maybe Pete Hegseth. I’d like to see if he can read.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I love The Strokes new album! “Going Shopping” makes me feel less unhappy.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan?
A) Thanks so much for supporting us and spread the word!!
Website & social media & streaming links:
Website: https://www.ikereilly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ikereilly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikereilly/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClnzY1cHd1pbigJZm_7wKNg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lWPNlK4GycPBUHln4ySBP?si=zUS6nmmITiai1EoZ3xfU6A&nd=1
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ike-reilly/87473