Ed Roman, is an Canadian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in Folk, Rock, Jazz, Country, Cross Over music genres. Interview April 22, 2014.
Interview Questions
1. What’s new with Ed Roman?
A. Well I’ve just released a new album of songs called Letters from High Latitudes and I’ve been talking to so many wonderful people.
2. How was it making the record Letters from High Latitudes?
A. Well every recording has its moments. I try not to put too much pressure on the situation when it comes to writing or the recording process. There are always things showing themselves to you and it’s important to pay attention to the moment. Writing to me is like the subconscious talking to you from many parts of your life.. We all as people experience so many ups, downs, trials, tribulations, elations and positive vibrations, it’s important to stop and recognize the message in the moment. All of the songs have some correlation to the important moments in my life over the last 3 years. Memories from the past are included as well, with a song written for my childhood friend Tobias Tinker who has been a big part of my musical growth as a person. I really wanted to make a tribute to him. My thoughts on a tune like I Told You So examines the concern and impact on commercialism and corporate overtake of civil freedoms and rights and summates the idea with a phrase that is asking you to look forward to what you may soon lament.. Making the record was absolutely necessary for the time we live in…
3. How did the writing process work for the album?
A. I’m always writing music and thinking about songs. The writing process is ongoing and there are moments that come and make you realize it’s time to put something down. I always have melody ideas rolling around in my head and from day to day I start to see subtle connections to things that are happening.. With a tune like Melancthon June Bug for instance…This past summer our property was incredibly inundated with june bugs that were nesting in our old sugar maples. I started seeing a path between the electric vibe of the bugs and the melody I was writing. Also around that time I had acquired a sitar that I fell in love with. It has a very buggy sound that I wanted to use as part of the harmony and background of the piece .. I live in the township of Melancthon and I wanted to dedicate the tune to the people here and bring more awareness to where I live and the importance of the ecology around this area…
4. Where did the idea come from for the album art work?
A. I found oddly enough a book written by Lord Dufferin titled “Letters From High Latitudes” and I live in Dufferin county of which is named after him. Once again the fine dusted connection to the subtle frequency of epiphany. The cover of the CD is the embossed lithograph from this lovely, old 1860 publication. I felt the title fitting considering the librettos of the songs were very much suggestive of looking at things from a completely different perspective. I could not see the trees for the forest in front of me..
5. What type of equipment do you use mostly?
A. Im a bass player by trade so I guess I’m a Fender man. The Fender Jazz bass is like a part of my DNA code.. They are extremely versatile instruments that have a real classic appeal and placate my vintage ideals.. I love playing Ampeg amplifiers and one of my smaller portable cube amps is a versatile 115 wedge.. My bigger stage amp is a Dave Eden traveller amp with matching cabinet; I love the tube pre on this head. But if I had my choice it would be an SVT by Ampeg.. I have a wide assortment of pedals like a bass synth, over drive, reverb, octaver, volume pedal and a sampler pedal.. My acoustic gear consists of a Takamine Cutaway Classical with a ramped up pickup system that includes an anthem microphone style pickup outside of the bridge..I also collect vintage gear like my Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes piano and many old vintage amplifiers. My acoustic bass is a 250 plus year old beauty that was made in Bohemia long before the formation of the Czech republic. Its was in the possession of the Canadian army during the first and second world wars and battles such as Vimy Ridge in france.. It is a piece of living musical human history…
6. How is the music scene in your area nowadays with the economy?
A. Well I’m sorry to say but there is a great deal of apathy when it comes to music goers up here.. Canada is an immense place with pockets of of activity. The economy is a part of it, but I’d say a great part of the problem has more to deal with people not paying for music or having an artistic cultural conscience. This has been bred into a whole generation of thinking that music isn’t important enough to pay for anymore.. I have forgone a cover fee at my show in the city of Toronto just so people won’t turn their noses up at a 5 or 10 dollar cover.. It’s really our responsibility to respect these things as they are our cultural documentation of our lives in the times we live in…
7. What would be some of your main influences today?
A. Bob Marley, David Grisman, The Talking Heads, Esperenza Spalding, Kevin Breit.. but there really is a large list is too big to mention.. I’ve really been finding myself falling in love with the composition and orchestration in small ensembles. Lyrics that hit me hard are coming from Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, and are hitting a real civil rights chord with me these days…
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
A. Everything under the sun.. I have 100‘s of 78’s and an old Columbia Gramophone that I still listen to with great stuff from the big Band era all the way up to Little Richard. I also have a huge 8 Track collection with tons of stuff from the 60’s and 70’s with artists like Donna Summer, Elvis, Buddy Holly, and fun old mixed stuff from the K-Tel record blow out albums… I also have hundreds of LPs from the 70.80.90’s that I collect and cherish.. Not pack rat but its part of my growth.. I still have the first record I ever bought for $ 2.50 when I was 6 years old.. Meet the Beatles.. You would also find the first record I ever did on 45.. LOL
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
A. For me being on the road is like being on a mission. I love playing and talking to people and having fun but when it comes right down to it, being on the road is serious business. Night after night you need to be in good shape and in a good head space. I don’t want to compromise my relationship with the fans and listeners.. I like to provide good quality energy….
10. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
A. Well I feel that music must become more community oriented and supported by our culture. I’ve been teaching for almost 25 years and the lack of growing enthusiasm with younger players is a direct correlation to the future they see for themselves; almost a feel of the whole thing not being worth the while.. We look back to ancient cultures and marvel at their achievement and understand so much more about them because of the art, music, literature and philosophy that was captured and documented in these forms of self expression. Music is one of those things that we orally pass down from generation to generation and its significance is staggeringly important… Purchase the Living and Record The Dead.. This can keep music strong and vibrant. Not to mention we can pay our heating bills.. lol
Extra questions with Ed Roman
Life without music would be: Bb
Favorite movie: Withnail And I
Favorite sport: Baseball
Favorite food: Lobster
Favorite drink: Cold Beer
Favorite saying: Don’t Piss Down My Back And Tell Me Its Raining
Favorite car: 50 Merc Lead Sled
Favorite book: Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Favorite band: Cant Pick Just One
CD or Vinyl: Vinyl
Star Wars or Star Trek: Star Wars
PC or Mac: Mac
Check out Ed Roman online