Published: April 5, 2009 1:19 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight April 2009 Edition
Press on Randy
Press on Randy Photo by Wendy Brown
Press on Randy has created a unique sound that blends nicely the genres of Folk, Electronic, and Dance/DJ into a perfect melody of tunes. What makes Press on Randy very entertaining is how he adds the element of singer/songwriter into the mixture of his music. In this recent interview with our Webzine, the one man band speaks about his mission to bring music to his fans. Enjoy!
Isaac: How do you sum up 2008 for Press on Randy?
Press on Randy: Well 2008 feels like the year I committed to making Press on Randy a larger part of my life. It seems to me being in a band, even a one-man band by yourself, is like being in a relationship and there comes that point where you want to take it to the next level or break it off. So this is the year I decided to try and do more with what has been an on and off hobby for a couple of years.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in the Seattle, Washington.
Press on Randy: Well Seattle has got a lot of different sides to its music scene. It's an extremely vibrant and progressive place for music and it's a place that doesn't seem to thrive in just one genre. The way Seattle's geography is you have a lot of different neighborhoods which almost seem like separate towns and are very distinct from one another. It almost feels that way with the music in Seattle. Whatever scene or niche you are looking for, you can be pretty sure you'll find in this city. The city bubbles with creative energy. So much so that trying to be new or different in Seattle, isn't new or different.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Press on Randy: Well putting together my debut EP would be it. I did most of the songwriting, compositions, sequencing and recording for it that year. Half being done at the beginning of the year, then I had to put it off for 7 months due to work and travel and I came back to it with fresh material and completed the other half at the end of the year. So it took the whole year to get 6 songs prepared and recorded for the release. Quite a lot of time for an EP!
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Press on Randy: Hmmm... That's tough. A lot of influence for me comes more on a subconscious level I think. I found I have more inspiration outside the industry than within. However, as far as musical influences go I'd have to put aside a lot of the production aspects I use in my music and say that some of my major influences come from singer/songwriters that are able to make every note and word count. Influences like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to more recent influences like Bright Eyes, Bon Iver and Elliot Smith. Other artists that kind of opened up new worlds to me were artist like DJ Shadow and the Gotan Project.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Press on Randy: I think I bring a fresh perspective as a singer/songwriter. I love giving character to my songs with programming and production but the most important element for me is what I am saying. I think through my music I describe my experiences and thoughts in a way that allows people space to "discover" the content.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Press on Randy: I think it would be Ratatat. I am fascinated by their sound and would love to witness their songwriting process. I also would love to put my music through a bluegrass filter. Meaning, I would love to do a project working with some solid bluegrass musicians doing a different interpretation on my songs.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Press on Randy: I always struggle with this question. I would consider it a mixture of electronica, folk and power pop. Singer/songwriter electronica maybe? I think I'm better at playing it than describing it.
Isaac: What is your definition for Folk & Electronic/Dance/DJ Music?
Press on Randy: Uh ho, I'm horrible with classifying genres but here it goes. Folk, for me means acoustic stringed instruments and vocals that tend to be more traditional, less edgy. Electronic is making synthesized music. With a computer, machines, etc. Dance music to me, means using that repetitive God forsaken thumping beat and blaring synths that, for some unknown reason, people tend to move to. No offense to those who create dance tunes, I do appreciate it. DJ music, I guess would be those that mix different songs, song elements and samples together. Or even just song transitions. All of these genres have a lot of different classifications that I am not doing any justice to them by putting them in a box, so I think I'll stop there with that question...
Isaac: What has been the response from the fans about merging the two genres into a fun and unique sound?
Press on Randy: It's interesting, doing this live, I remember the first time I did this live was at a restaurant/bar in Juneau, Alaska a couple of years back when I lived there. Half the people loved it and the other half hated it. It made me realize that, for one, I wouldn't work as background music while people ate, and also I felt like I had the beginnings of something that people could connect with. I still find that when my audiences are somewhat prepared for a larger sounding solo act, it is very well received. I've been in just as many situations where people loved it as people being like "what the hell was that?".
The EP, however has been very well received so far and less polarizing than my live show it seems...Little kids like it too. I'm not quite sure why.
Isaac: What has been the inspiration behind your EP - Moths and Butterflies?
Press on Randy: A lot of my inspiration has come from my travels over the past 6 years. I've traveled quite extensively during that time frame and my inspiration seems to come from reflecting upon or during these foreign experiences. For example, I wrote the song Moths and Butterflies walking across Spain in solitude. Dogs go Blind I wrote after a huge rainstorm in Oaxaca, Mexico... and so on.
So in a way, solitary movement as well as the people I've met along the way has been the force behind this EP. I tend to have very esoteric lyrics and use a lot of imagery but the themes have been focused on movement, human relationships (both my own and others) and social commentary during my travels.
Isaac: What can fans expect from Press on Randy in 2009?
Press on Randy: Well I've been working on new material and refining my live show. I plan on taking my live show to locations throughout the greater Northwest. I also hope lay the groundwork for making a full length; hopefully, in the latter half of 2009.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans...
Press on Randy: I want to give a shout out to my incredibly loyal friends and family members that have really supported me so far. That support means more than you know!
Isaac: Final words from Press on Randy...
Press on Randy: I have a lot more buttons to push, strumming to do and a lot more to ramble about in the foreseeable future.
