The many faces of Ed Roman are revealed through his creative, inventive, animated type form of thinking. His music writes reads and delivers like a fusion between a children’s book and a musical – full of wonder, delight, adventure and expectations.
Interview Questions
– What’s new in the world of Ed Roman?
As of June 7, 2016 I have released a brand-new album entitled RED OMEN. Another sarcastic and yet serious look at the human condition in the 21st-century. The love that we have and can give and the battles we must overcome. It is once again a place and playground for philosophical ideas amalgamated with wonderful musical tapestries. It hosts incredible musicians from all over the world such as Tobias Tinker, a lifelong friend now living and working in Germany. Xander Demos the shred master extraordinaire from Pittsburgh PA. Fantastic Toronto musicians like Antony Cook, Chris Taggart, Michelle Rasky, David Patel and Mike Freedman. Together along with fantastic production with my lifelong partner in musical crime Michael Jack, this album will definitely make you laugh and think.
– How was it recording your album Red Omen compared to recording your last album Letters from High Latitudes?
We never try to put a method or a common practice on the artform were trying to capture. I’ve learned overtime that when the initial spark has been set ablaze, the most important thing we can do as artisans is follow the path that is being shown to us. Consequently you were always left with a sense of adventure. It then never limits you to one idea and being set in stone. We are painting a picture that will last the test of time but in the same breath a fresh approach must always be taken to the process.
– How do you build a song up from nothing to become something?
An idea comes without a set schedule. The important thing is that we follow the calling when it occurs.
People are continually being moved in an emotional roller coaster over the course of their lives. These moments are punctuated by extreme elation and sometimes overwhelming sorrow.
By nature we are problem-solving and are always trying to better our situations in someway. Artisans or emotional and tennis and empathetic timekeepers for the moments that we live in.
That initial spark in an idea is like the pinpoint moment of the universe being created. The size and the dimensions are endless despite the idea in its inception was so small. Sometimes it’s almost like that initial phrase is enough to carry out the rest of the language and how the formulation of ideas are to take place. They play off of one another like a competitive ping pong game. The words are continually throwing your psyche back-and-forth until they organize themselves into something that means more than you thought it could actually be.. It is most humbling when these equations start to come together.
– When writing a song, is there such a thing as investing too much time? What’s the shortest time you ever took to write one? What was your strangest inspiration?
You never know when a song is complete but there is certain point in time you figured out the math. There are things that lead you and let you know perhaps a bridge or musical interlude of some kind may be required to tie things together and this could take some time. For me it’s not about forcing the process but once again listening to what the song requires.
It can also be said that appoint in time comes when things need to be completed and spending close to 10 years on an album may not be the most lucrative as far as artistic advancements are concerned.
– Do you have any tours coming up in the near future?
We are working on a big tour for the spring and summer of 2017 across the United States and Canada. For all the good Ontario Ed Heads, I will be performing at the Copperkettle in Georgetown on August 5. The Terra Nova Public House on August 17th and then in London at The Scotts Corner on September 9th during Canadian Country Music Week. After that I will be headed to Nashville as I have been nominated for three Josie Show Awards..
– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?
I have always been interested in the unknown. The things we can see but yet cannot obtain and at the same time the things we obtain but cannot see. Story tellers and ancient tales of mythological places always fascinated me. At one point in my life I wanted to be an archaeologist. The study of ancient times and the sociological aspects of who people were many years ago have a greater impact on us today than we actually know. Art works in the very same fashion. When going to an ancient site where people are excavating you will find them sifting through the dirt culminating together pieces of pottery and sometimes mosaics that depict day-to-day life situations. It was the artisans of that time frame who took the time to detail our life activities in beautiful and ornate fashions. In some cases they are the historical documentation of who people were and how they live their lives. At a very young age I fell in love with story tellers and writers that we’re making you think about your human condition more than just a superficial aspects of the ego driven mind. The list of people is really endless and is always growing..
– How important is it for a musician in this generation to spend time on social media?
Social media is a tool, not your life. It is extremely important that musicians and artisans are involved in social media as it connects them to an international framework of people that far exceed their geographical location. It has connected me and a multitude of artisans to so many people all over the world that in other cases I would not have the opportunity to do. One of the things about social media where artisans tend to lack, although spending a lot of time posting, is sharing other artists information. This in fact is what makes the hub of what we do that much more organic, real and strong. It behooves us to share other artists posts because it cross pollinate’s with the people that we follow as well as the people that follow us. We might not be playing a gig in that town but through our communication others will know that there is music to be listened to. And you should go.
– In your opinion, which album would be essential to have if someone were stranded on a deserted island?
Man that is a tough question to answer but because I’m feeling tenacious…. RED OMEN ;)
– Any words of wisdom to share with aspiring artists?
The best thing I ever learned from anybody was to be myself. We are all defined by our influences and at the same time our limitations. Sometimes the limitations we put on ourselves about how we feel are greater than anybody’s. The hardest thing to be and at the same time be easiest thing to be is yourself. Always be yourself and be proud of what you do. Work hard and diligently towards it with passion, levity and humor.
Thank you so kindly for having me today. It was a pleasure. The Omen Is RED