

Collaborations between musicians were the core of the Chicago scene in the 90’s. I think about Bill MacKay and Charles Runback for example. You always loved working with other musicians. I cannot sit still! Now, I am obsessed with Prog Rock from the UK and Italy. I hope to change with every record and phase of my life. I get bored very easily, so I need to challenge myself. I am a huge fan of british folk music, but it is important to always be progressive artistically. From the beginning, your goal was to transform your old musical passions in something deeply personal and non conventional? Many people think about you as a songwriter related to the british folk scene of the 70’s, but it’s a very superficial vision because your music is still in continue changing. I should quit smoking, maybe that will help too! I have been doing that for 10 years now, so hopefully, I get better! My singing is much more natural and relaxed. Everything I've learned is from playing shows and practicing at home. I'm not professionally trained in music or performance. How you see your musical journey and changes in stylistic directions from the 1st album to the last? I’ve noticed a significant progress in your singing performance, as you seem now having a great confidence as a vocalist. We were fully prepared, which has never happened while making the previous records. They were all rehearsed and demoed, so there was no guesswork in the studio. The songs were all written on acoustic guitar- but I imagined them as large epic rock pieces. I wanted to have an album from start to finish that had an overall narrative of paranoia. I am very proud of it. My goal was to make something more electric guitar driven, and prog inspired. This is the closest I have gotten to that goal. What was your goal in writing “Course In Fable”? And how it differs from its predecessors.įor this record, I wanted there to be authenticity and honesty. I have found it very emotive and different from the others even if, at the same time, is marked by your own distinctive style.

The new album is easier only in the surface, a sort of challenge for the listener that has to be very attentive to capture every single detail. This record was mostly inspired by being trapped in New York, I have traveled very little recently, like everybody else. In what percentage your new travels and experiences are deeply inside the new album and why did you relocate in NYC? I wanted very much to have a bright and clean sounding record. For him to produce this record is a dream come true. I have been a fan of John's work for many years. Did you choose John McEntire as engineer and producer to capture this atmosphere? John was without any doubts one of the architects who built that “Chicago sound” with Tortoise, Sea And Cake and other projects.
#RYLEY WALKER DAVID GRUBBS FULL#
It is very important to never do the same thing twice.įrom ancient folk to Derek Bailey, passing through the Chicago’s scene of the 90’s full of impro-jazz and post-rock suggestions (from Gastr del Sol to Tortoise). It’s a natural process for you to create the incredible and adventurous balance between experimentation and classic structure?Īll of my favorite records always push boundaries. In my opinion your music has 2 faces, and I always found this attitude very exciting and fascinating. That inspires me to continue creating music.

I did a lot of soul searching and have found lots of joy everyday. I'm happy to say music is better than ever. What was the spark that inspired you to start working on a new album? You’re a great worker and I guess that it was not so easy for you to take a pause for rebuild yourself. First of all I have to say that we are so happy that you're back. With a mix of happiness and emotion, we contacted Ryley Walker for a pleasant exclusive interview that touched on many topics: from the evolution of his sound to his stylistic references, through the seeds of the new album and his future projects. Now he is finally back to the music scene and released on April 2 his n ew record "Course In Fable", recorded with the help of a Chicago scene veteran, John McEntire, behind the mixer. After a period of mental rehabilitation, the guitarist/songwriter from Illinois moved to New York and created his personal label Husky Pants Records.
