Ryan Brahms – Christmas Morning

By starrymag | January 27, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I make pop soul music. I’m always pushing the envelope of modern sound design and recording techniques while remaining true to my musical background in jazz, rock, and soul.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I am super inspired by modern day singer/songwriter/recording artists such as Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi and Post Malone. For me to list all of my musical influences throughout the history of music would be way too long of an interview. My greatest musical influence however is my father.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Christmas Morning.”

A) I just love Christmas. The city feels so good this time of year. If I’m being honest, I can’t stand the cold weather but who could help but want to be in the middle of it all. The overwhelming chaos, filled with lights, sounds and moments waiting to be lived. All that being said, I woke up one afternoon and decided I wanted to write a love song. As they say “love breaks all barriers” and it “heals all wounds.” Love can transport us anywhere it wants if we are willing to go there with it. I asked myself, “What moment is filled with more love than Christmas morning?” What an amazing place for a kiss to transport you to everyday. For me, it would be better if it were Christmas afternoon. Morning is a little early for me.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) My biggest hope for this song is that fans can feel the overwhelming passion of what I’m speaking about and they’re transported on the hook to the exact place I’m singing about. That they feel the same joy that I am expressing.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Unfortunately, the track was finished a little too late for me to record a music video. You can look forward to one dropping next holiday season!

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I once did an interview at Party 105. We spent over two hours discussing the philosophy behind the process of songwriting. The truth is there is no right or wrong way to write a song. At the end of the day, good songs will write themselves regardless of how you start.

Q) Engineer Michael Abiuso lent a hand, but how much of hand do you tend to have in the production of your music?

A) My boy Mike is more than just an engineer. He is a brilliant musician and producer who I partner with on multiple projects for both myself and other artists that I produce. Over my career as a recording artist, songwriter, musician and producer I have been very fortunate. I get to work with beautiful humans all of which bring their own skill sets and strengths to the proverbial table. We all lift each other and there’s a synergy that creates a sum greater than its parts.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Ryan Brahms performance?

A) An unpredictable music eruption.

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

A) I perform a lot in NYC and LA. Venues like The Cutting Room in NYC are a lot of fun because of the history of other amazing talents who have graced that stage. I’ve been sneaking out of my parents’ house since I was fourteen years old and performing at venues on Bleecker Street. I’ve played at every venue on Sunset Strip. My favorite one, The House of Blues, unfortunately no longer exists.

Q) You have worked with legends from the likes of James Brown, Dave Brubeck and Teddy Riley. Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I am currently collaborating with some incredible producers whose names cannot be released at this time but who knows what the future brings!

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

A) With all of the projects I am currently working on between myself, producing other bands and artists as well as music directing projects, I don’t get much time to listen to listen to much else to play favorites.

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

A) Social media has made this world a very small place. It makes indie artists like myself just as accessible as major label artists with big machines pushing their music out. If you have something to say and a voice that people will listen to, you have just as much of an opportunity as anyone.

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

A) First and foremost, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not just for your love and support but for the validation that I might be doing something right. I’ve dedicated my entire life to my art and my craft, made great sacrifices and have walked “the road not taken.” It makes it all worth it to know that it is all for something and that other people might get some joy or inspiration out of my music.

 

 

Listen to “Christmas Morning”