Ryan Wayne is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He first came to recognition as a founding member and songwriter in the critically acclaimed, award-winning band, The Warped 45s (Pheromone Recordings).
His new album Crow Amongst the Sparrows marks a return to recording after a very difficult time in his life. Last Spring, Wayne suffered two strokes and during recovery, he was left seriously contemplating my priorities. Outside of family and health, music was at the top of his list. He had taken time away from touring and recording with his previous band to raise two young children and to complete a masters degree.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Ryan about the latest music, AI, dream collabs, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new trend?
There is a lyric in a song I’m currently working on: “The future is hard to avoid”. Creative people and business people will always find ways to use modern tools to expand boundaries and push art to new places, and there is an art to that in itself. I’m not versed enough to understand all of the worries, but personally, I’ve never looked at music as a money maker and I find comfort (and likely always will) in using real instruments as much as possible. I grew up in the tradition of kitchen party and camp fire jams–multiple voices and acoustic instruments playing songs that stand alone with three chords and solid story-telling. Most of my songs start from this place, still. I’m not opposed to others using AI in the songwriting and creation proecess, but the charm of songwriting, for me, lies in unravelling the unknown with each song, stumbling through different progressions, experimenting with different instruments, adding harmonies and counter melodies, pulling out what doesn’t resonate, finding that certain je ne sais quoi — the spiritual quality that music creation, at the best of times, taps into. Sometimes this happens quickly, and other times, songs can take years. I’m in no hurry, either. I’ve got a family, a career outside of music and other hobbies that are important for my mental health. I suppose AI could shave off time in the process, and increase output, but the process is what I admire most.
Can you choose a favorite song of all time? Or is this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
My favorite songs of all time shift, frequently. There are artists I admire for their lyrics, others for their production choices, and others stil for their voice. Some artists have managed to conquer all three, whether with their own songs or interpretations–Sinead O’Connor comes to mind with her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares to You”, or Jeff Buckley’s cover of Cohen’s “Halelujah”. In my earliest influences, lyricisists were at the forefront, and lyrical driven music probably still has the greatest hold on me. Artists like Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams and John Prine are first to mind, artists that could put sentiments to words, capturing universal truths with poetic grace. With that in mind, I’ll narrow it down to three songs in no specific order.
First up is Townes Van Zandt’s, “If I Needed You”. There are many songs in his catalogue that might fill this spot, but I have memories of family members and friends singing this around campfires in multi-part harmonies. It touched me. My interpretation: it’s a love song that has so much more under the hood. A vulnerable voice rooted in a desire for elusive companionship, counter balanced with a hint of heartache, and a glimpse into the struggles of being present. Somehow, it manages to avoid cliches and sappiness – not an easy task in a love song – and it unveils such universal desires through the view of someone who has clearly felt the best of the good and the worst of the bad in life. The song was released over 50 years ago, and I’m not sure its aged a bit.
Second, I’ll go with Lucinda Williams. “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” got a lot of play in my early songwriting days. The title track is ripe with imagery that made me think of the small town upbringing of my parents, imagery that plays with the senses with the adroit hand of a poet, feelings of a heart afraid to lie, smells of coffee, eggs and bacon, gazing out of a window, sounds of Loretta on the radio, screen doors slamming shut, dogs barking, and of course, car wheels on a gravel road. I saw her open for Levon Helm once, not long before he passed, at the iconic Massey Hall in Toronto. She joined him for an encore performance of “The Weight”.
Third, I’ll go back to Sinéad O’Connor. She is undeniably my favorite singer of all time. Her courage in the face of horrible resistance was admirable. Her interpretations of songs like “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “All Apologies” are better than the originals (in my opinion, of course), and her songwriting, paired with wonderful production, makes her an easy pick. The song that comes to mind, first, is, “Last Day of Our Acquaintance”. I was in Charlseton, South Carolina, with my wife and young daughters when we learned of her passing. The news rocked our whole family. I have had her music on repeat for months. Such a tragedy.
What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Pride isn’t an emotion that comes to me easily. Self doubt, the artist’s cryptonite, usually plagues my work, and songwriting is mostly a task in positive mental health maintenance, however, I am proud that I was able to complete this record following a difficult period of health and recovery. I suffered a couple strokes, last Spring, and music and family were my two crutches. As physical and cognitive challenges took me away from my job for some time, I found small blocks of creation (sometimes as little as 15 minutes a day) were instrumental to improving my executive functioning and fine motor skills.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
Inspiration is everywhere — in the streets, in the coffee shops, in the news, in the trees, in books, in poetry, in listening to other peoples music (especially), in travel, in other art forms, in self doubt, in death, in life, in dreams, in disagreements, in addiction, in our imagination. Tuning into the inspiration and finding time to synthesize it into words can be a challenge in a busy world, but the mental helth benefits and the pure joy experienced when writing, recording, producing, collaborating or performing, make it all worth while–necessary even.
I’m also extremely grateful for the encouragment and support of my wife, Sarah. She has great taste in music and is always honest with me about the potential of new creations. She helped me get back on my feet and encouraged me to put music out again after a long hiatus.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
I’d look to my friends. After many years away from recording and touring, I’ve had the pleasure of assembling a band and getting back into a jam space on a semi regular basis. Friends like singer/songwriter/producer/everything, Annelise Noronha (Spotify – Annelise Noronha), and John Bridgens, another talented singer-songwriter (Spotify – John Bridgens) that I meant touring through New Zealand many years back, have gaciously joined the band. Further, I’m delighted that some collaborators and close friends from my former band, The Warped 45s (Pheromone Rocordings) are also supporting me. More specifically, bassist, Alex Needleman and drummer, Hamal Finn Roye. I’ve actually never been in a full band with a drummer other than Hamal dating back to my University days. Violinist, and friend, JP Desaulniers has also joined the group. JP and I have been playing music on stages and around campfires for a couple decades now. At this point in life, surrounding myself with good people means more than anything else.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I just finished listening to an episode of “Nora Jones is Playing Along”, a podcat where Nora Jones, literally, plays along with different artists. The music is mixed in with some conversation and freindly banter. The episode (Link – Nora Jones is Playing Along) featured Matt Berninger and Bryce Dessner of The National. The last song they performed on the episode was “Trouble Will Find Me” from their 2013 album of the same name. Coincidentally, The National are one of my favorite bands in modern years. Other bands and artists that come to mind (this could be a really long list) are the already mentioned Sinéad O’Connor, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Lucinda Williams as well as: Bjork, Beck, Sufjan Stevens, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, Radiohead, Sharon Von Etten, LCD Soundsystem, Beta Band, Belle and Sebastian, Nils Frahm, and Brittany Howard. Also, I’ve got a couple cousins writing and recording really great stuff: Dave McEathron (Spotify – Dave McEathron) and Siydock (Spotify – Siydock). Also, also: so many other great modern Canadian friends and artists: Annelise Noronha, Justin Rutledge, Hayden, Dan Mangan, Selina Martin, Brava Kilo, Great Lake Swimmers, Dave Celia, Kathleen Edwards, Rheostatics, Timbre Timbre, Skydiggers, The Weather Station, Bahamas.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
I’m working on a new record now. Hoping to put out the first single in early 2023. Thanks for the thoughtful questions. I appreciate your time and support.
