Red Sun Rising – Peel

By starrymag | June 13, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

Ryan: I would describe the Red Sun Rising Sound as an amalgamation of all of the textures and concepts that attract us to music. We call it “Thread” and it changes song by song. We have always been drawn to things like: larger than life drum sounds, punchy 90’s era bass, guitar solos and vocal harmonies. By always challenging the status quo we have allowed are sound to continue to evolve.

 

Q) Who are your musical influences?

Ryan: I listen to everything. My Spotify year end play list is dominated by artist like: A Perfect Circle, Phantogram, Deftones, Eminem, Cat Stevens, etc. The influences that seem to unite us are:

The Beatles, System of a Down, Tool, Queen, Muse, Chris Cornell and the list goes on.

 

Q) What made you cover the song “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?”

Ryan: We all grew up listening to Pet Sounds. I am a huge fan of outside the box covers. Songs where we can showcase the bands best attributes while still paying homage to its original form. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” really fit that bill. The Beach Boys are a band that has not been covered often which appeals strongly to that “challenging the status quo” mentality.

 

Q) How did you work out your take on the arrangement of the song?

Ryan: We had to find a version of the song that was unique to us but still paid homage to the original. We basically stripped down the Brian Wilson “wall of sound,” changed the tuning and then put it back together in a way that we could recreate live. Then, we had to find the right Vocal timbre.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that makes it so timeless?

Ryan: What makes this song timeless and every song on that album is the feeling The Beach Boys can create with sound. They have the ability to orchestrate so many moving parts perfectly to convey whatever emotion they want you to feel. They are the masters of that!

 

Q) The video is out now. How does it play into the message behind it?

Ryan: We felt a classic black and white performance video with matching suits would play into the timelessness of the piece itself. Director Brad Golowin has way of capturing beauty in simplicity.

 

Q) For your original tracks, what is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?  

Ryan: With us a song can come from anywhere. Usually it starts with an acoustic guitar and a riff that grabs our ear. Music dos not always have to come first. A great lyrical concept can very inspiring when making music.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Red Sun Rising performance?

Ryan: What you can expect from a Red Sun Rising show is energy and passion. We treat every show with same love and intensity no matter the size. I think we are all excited to perform “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” for the first time live. Peel gives us the opportunity strip the set down and change the mood.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

Ryan: We actually produced Peel ourselves. We have always been a large part of the production.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP Peel as a whole?

Ryan: We just want fans to listen and enjoy without expectation. Just know that we will always make music that we love, so if you are hearing it then we love it!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

Ryan: My favorite places to play are based on crowd intensity and food scene. Right now, I would have to give it up to Columbus and Lancaster.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

Ryan: I would love to work with someone like Maynard Keenan or Alanis Morisstte. Maybe even another local like MGK. I have really been digging his new album!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

Ryan: A Perfect Circle’s new album Eat The Elephant is also spinning not stop on my play list.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

Ryan: It’s become more of life style than a platform. Everyone is on it and it’s an amazing way to stay in touch with our fan base. Adapt or die!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

Ryan: Thank you so much!! We love you all!!!

 

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Guitarist Ryan Williams