What’s new in the world of Ray Powers? Spending time working on
projects?
Absolutely! My long-awaited album ‘Decade Of Singles (2011-2019)’ is set to release on May 1st. It’s a remastered compilation of radio singles, B-sides and a couple of unreleased tracks. Because a little more than half of these tracks were previously available on a full scale, I wanted to thank my faithful friends and listeners by adding some goodies in the form of full liner notes, brand new photos and new video interview clips. I’ve also been fervently writing and demoing brand new music for summer and fall release.
– Let’s talk about a day in the life of a musician in the studio. How do you spend your time in the studio?
Personally, I love the studio. Since I usually produce or co-produce the songs in which I perform and release, I need to go in prepared and organized. It’s important to take care of pre-production details before I get in, so as not to waste the time and resources of the lead engineer and the talent that’s contributing to the song(s). I like to make sure that everyone is relaxed, comfortable and in a good place, mentally. We always provide lunch, coffee, breaks – keep everyone sharp and focused. I’ve been blessed to have worked with top talent with a ton of experience – several with Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame credentials – and it’s made me a better player. While we work with several recording studios and facilities on a regular basis, I’ve been affiliated with Mad Hands Records and Studios in NJ since 1999 and that’s been the home base. Label founder Mike Cullens has taught me so much in that time. He’s been a mentor and a friend to whom I owe a lifetime debt of gratitude.
– How important is artwork for singles or albums?
I’m old-school, so for me, artwork has always been a vital part of the presentation. What is it that you’re trying to depict and how do you intend to stand out from a virtual sea of your peers? I realize that in the digital era, where people have been looking at 2” x 2” images on their iPods, smart phones and devices – less has been more. Having stated that, I’m positively thrilled that vinyl 12” LP’s are back in vogue, because it’s forced artists and labels to put more thought into not only the front ‘cover’, but a back cover and liner notes!
– 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?
I guess it depends on the type of song you’re composing. If it’s an elaborate track for a far-out concept album that clocks in at eight minutes, then that needs to be curated and analyzed. If it’s a three minute pop record (which is more my speed), then I think it’s possible to overdo it. Sometimes, you either tend to overthink/overproduce – or if the idea just isn’t working, sometimes it’s better to toss it on the ‘B-pile’ with the option of revisiting the idea at another time and try something else.
The easiest time I ever had in writing a song was a co-write with my longtime bandmate, drummer Mark Davin. He emailed me a set of lyrics, and I could literally hear the music in my head as I read (sang) them down. I had the music and melody worked out in my head almost instantly. Fortunately, I had a keyboard immediately to my right, and I recorded a rough demo on the spot. That song became ‘Gotta’ and was one of my more successful singles to date. (Incidentally, it was also the most effortless to track in the studio!)
The strangest inspiration would have to be for a song called ‘Leaving The Dream Behind’. I cite it as ‘strange’, because it wasn’t a first-person account or based on any one specific event. I wrote the music and the lyrics in full, and it’s about a woman who is in a ‘potentially’ abusive marriage, and she feels that it’s only going to escalate. She nips it in the bud and leaves her man before it can exacerbate into something worse. I’m not sure exactly from where the inspiration for that came. There were likely some stories in the news at the time, and I must have subconsciously been thinking about them. The interesting part is that I was looking for a B-side cut for my upcoming single, ‘One Kiss’, which was going to be pressed as a CD-single. There was no time to go back into the studio to track it, so I recorded it live in concert at a historic venue in NYC. To this day, that’s the only version of the song that’s available. It was written quite spur of the moment. It only seemed fitting to market it that way.
– Do you follow a formula when you write?
I don’t necessarily feel that I adhere to a ‘formula’, though I’m sure I have certain habits that are common and consistent. I find that I’m most successful when I sit at a piano and work out musical parts and a melody. In my opinion, a great song has got to have a catchy hook and melody, with an easy-to-sing refrain. Since I was classically trained on piano from age 6 (and later taught myself to play guitar, then bass), I’m still most at home using the piano/keyboard as a starting block. If the idea is taking form, I can then either demo it in full, or reach out to a partner to collaborate.
– How important is merchandising? Could artists survive without?
Even when we had a thriving music ‘industry’ of which to speak, merchandising has always been the lifeblood of a recording artist/live act. Even if you were signed to a major label back in the days when that was standard, you saw so little in the way of mechanical royalties. Unless you’re a YouTube phenomenon with millions of followers, I don’t see how you can make a living on the musical end of show business without merch. Even if you could, who in their right mind would leave so much potential income on the table? Touring acts have realized that if they’re going to be able to survive on the road, holding a VIP Meet and Greet and capitalizing on the opportunity to sell some ‘feel-good/impulse’ merchandise is a necessity.
– What would be some of your main musical influences today?
Present day acts? There have been some truly awesome rock acts to emerge and re-emerge in the last few years. I love The Struts, Skillet, Farewell To Fear and From Ashes To New. They’ve all put out some great stuff, as of late. While my wider-received releases have been more on the lighter rock side, my roots are pure hard rock. I’ve been leaning toward stiffer riffs with a guitar in my hands, so I have to admit, those modern rock bands have been in my ear.
– What would we be surprised to find in your music collection at home?
I found an album in a record store while on tour back in like 1991-92. I initially picked it up because it had an unusual looking cover (Ask me again, how important is artwork?). Turned out to be a Neville Brothers record, ‘Brother’s Keeper’, which they had recently released (1990). I decided to buy it, because I was curious. Totally different than anything else I was listening to at the time – a funky New Orleans-soaked Gospel sound. My friends pick it up when they’re over my house, and I get that same curious look. To this day, it’s one of my favorites and I throw that on when I just want to chill. Definitely recommend you give it a listen!
– How important is it for a musician in this generation to spend time on social media?
Along with having a line of merch, it’s absolutely essential. It’s where everyone is spending practically all of their free time (and a good portion of their work day!). It can be a challenge with so many different platforms, and virtually impossible to manage all of them with any degree of consistency. Most of the bigger acts hire a moderator, or a team of moderators – but it’s important to make a personal appearance on a regular basis. Not only does it keep you ‘current’, but the perception of a ‘rock star’ has changed over the years. We used to have ‘fans’. Now, we have ‘followers’. The aura of inaccessibility used to be the appeal. Today, the public wants to feel like they’re more involved in your daily lives – and even the biggest stars have podcasts and live chats where they can interact – even one on one.
– With the music industry shutting down presently. How are you dealing with these issues?
Like everyone else, I’ve taken a beating with the cancellations and postponements of live concerts – but, I’m making the most of the down time. Catching up on not only musical projects, but staying active in my home gym, landscaping, cooking, taking care of the family and so on. I’ve also done a couple of Facebook live performances, and I have my syndicated radio show ‘The Ray Powers Hour’ to keep me sane. Doing my part to stay home and if I have to be out, give the necessary space. I’m hoping that it’s under control soon, and praying for the well-being of the heroes – the doctors, nurses, police, food providers, truck drivers, etc. We work together, we’ll get through this!
– Thank you for taking the time in doing this interview. Wish you all
the best.
Thank you for the opportunity! All the best to you and yours – stay hale and hearty!