TAP Exclusive: Interview with Ryan Star

Interviews

TAP Exclusive: Interview with Ryan Star

By drainu182 ⋅ April 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Ryan Star’s major label debut “11:59″ comes out in June (Atlantic Records). We recently had a chance to ask Ryan a few questions about the new album, his rise to fame, how he almost was arrested on tour and his suggestions for fellow rockers starting out (”Smile. Have sex”). To check out Ryan’s music, you can go to his website and his MySpace. Read below for the full interview:

THE AUDIO PERV: Ryan, I’ve had a chance to listen to a few songs off your album “11:59” and I love it. One common theme I’ve noticed is of hope and inspiration. Your rise to fame is well deserved after years of persistence to make it. What inspired you and gave you the hope that you needed to succeed?”

RYAN STAR: My inspiration came from years of pursuing my dreams and realizing it is the process that is the dream. I lived on a beach while a made 11:59 and was very connected to nature and myself. I lived alone for a year and a half with not many people around me as I created the album and I realized that living in the moment was where I was happiest and I believe that idea found its way onto every song on 11:59. That’s the meaning of it. What’s your 11:59?

THE AUDIO PERV: Some of your fans first discovered you on the music television program “Rockstar Supernova”. How did the show help expand your fan base and enable you to have your major label debut “11:59″ on Atlantic Records?

RYAN STAR: The TV show was another step to get to where I am today. Very happy to be on the greatest record label (Atlantic) working with extremely talented people who believe in what I am doing and the honesty I am putting out there with my shows. The show put me in front of millions of people worldwide so I am grateful but it was still a TV show. I was lucky enough to play original music for people on it, but nothing excites me more than for them to hear the new album.

THE AUDIO PERV: Your die hard fans have been with you since your days with Stage in the NYC scene. What was your favorite venue to play in the Manhattan area?

RYAN STAR: My first gig was at CBGB’s in NYC when I was 14 years old with my band Stage, but it was far from my favorite. When I rock out with the band I love playing Bowery. Ballroom or the Mercury Lounge. When I am stripping it down and trying out new things my favorite spot in the whole city is Rockwood Music Hall. They were good to me when I was playing in front of 4 people so we have a deal, after my fist show at the Garden I will play the after show set there.

THE AUDIO PERV: You’ve been very busy as of late. Your new album “11:59” is coming out soon. Your music’s being featured on TV shows (“Lie To Me” on Fox) and movies (PS I Love You). You’ve been playing shows and on tour almost non-stop. What do you pop on your iPod or CD player to help you relax when you’re not so busy?

RYAN STAR: I put in Leonard Cohen live in London to feel humbled.

I put in Lilly Allen to feel sexually inadequate.

Keeps me on my toes.

THE AUDIO PERV: You’re wrapping up a tour right now with David Cook. Do you have any wild stories that you could share?

RYAN STAR: I almost got arrested in PA for destroying a stage prop cow. We played at some university and their theatre program must have had put on Animal Farm or some shit like that. One of David’s guys was taunting me with this fake cow made of wood and Styrofoam, so I grabbed it from them. To save my face in the heat of my Pete Townsend moment I smashed it to pieces. After the show I was greeted by a very unhappy administration who threatened to call the cops. 1500 dollars later we were allowed to walk. This is why I left college my senior year to sleep in a van with my band!

THE AUDIO PERV: As I mentioned before, you’ve had an incredible journey to where you are now. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians who have dreams of being as successful as you?

RYAN STAR: Thank you for the kind words and I really do feel like I am just getting started after all these years.
I have no advice. I don’t judge and I don’t pretend to know any answers. Nobody knows. We all grow up hearing “be the best you can” “follow your dreams” but the only truth we have all seen is that there are no answers. Enjoy every day. Play music or don’t. . Smile. Have sex. Be nice to people. Run and feel inspired by a walk in the forest every once in a while.