Ra McGuire Interview – Canadian singer, songwriter, and founding member of the legendary platinum selling rock band Trooper.
Ra McGuire Interview
1. What’s new in the world of Ra McGuire?
Well, Jason, a lot has happened since our last visit to Halifax! Trooper has been back and forth across Canada several times (unfortunately with no shows for Nova Scotia promoters), Smitty and I were awarded the SOCAN National Achievement Award, I’ve been to Hawaii … twice … a whole lot of stuff is new!
2. We are very happy to see that Trooper is coming to the Schooner Showroom in Halifax the first week of June. How would you describe the east coast fans being possibly different than anywhere else in Canada?
East Coast fans are generally more musical and pay a lot closer attention to the playing – so it’s a lot more fun when you bust out something musically impressive and you can tell the audience was right there with you. Also, Maritimers are nicer.
3. You must be very proud of your accomplishments with Trooper and mainly being a Platinum selling artist and still having a lot of radio airplay?
Of course we’re chuffed that Trooper songs still get as much attention as they do, but we’re mostly thankful for our strong and loyal following, which we sincerely appreciate. There are many, many folks who have attended more than 20 shows and lots who’ve attended over fifty. There are several who, unbelievably, have seen over 100 shows over the years!
4. During an average year how many shows do you do now?
This year’s looking like around 40.
5. Could you describe some of your earliest influences?
The only band I think we could all agree on as an influence is the Beatles. I still think they were one of the best and most fearless bands from my youth – although I like a lot of Motown and Soul music back in the day as well.
6. I am sure throughout out your touring history there is tons of stories. You even wrote a book is there more books coming out in the future?
I just posted something on my blog (ramcguire.com) for the first time in a very long time. I got a surprisingly good response to the book, but at the rate I’m going, it’s going to take a a LONG time before I fill enough pages for a sequel.
7. How many hours a day do you spend on social media and the internet?
Trooper’s amazing Webmeister/Social Media Director/Administrator/Magician Heather Uhl seems to spend full days in the vast wonderment of the internets. I’m a pretty committed computer freak from a long way back (as you know!) so I’d rather not discuss my online addictions.
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
I suppose that would depend on what your expectations were. I like to think my collection has just the good stuff from all genres. Obviously nobody can grok everything that’s going on but I try to keep new stuff on my playlist. Right now I’m enjoying the new Brett Dennen album after seeing him on my favourite music-related show Live From Daryl’s House (which I recommend to all music fans), There’s a couple new Kendrick Lamar tracks that I like (but I didn’t like the whole album), and, like most people probably, I’m enjoying getting into the new Black Keys.
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
The travel eats up a lot of time. For instance, we have a show in Winnipeg the night after our Halifax show! Once you’ve fit a soundcheck in and carved out an hour to eat — that’s pretty much my routine these days. Occasionally we luck out and get to spend a few consecutive days somewhere. We really enjoy that when it happens.
10. Where do you see music in general going in 100 years from now?
In 100 years I think music will be much less important to the masses generally. Serious fans will continue to keep pockets of live music alive but I think we’re already well past the point where music has the power it had in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. In a hundred years, I think every conceivable type of music will be made, it just won’t be as well supported or distributed.
Check out Trooper online http://www.trooper.com/