INTERVIEW: Merseyside’s The Ryan Robinson Experiment

Ryan Robinson is a musician from Merseyside in the UK. His music tries to mix all the elements he likes about music into one project, mostly being instrumental songs from prog rock to Lo-Fi songs. Robinson plays a multitude of instruments on his songs, from 8-string guitar to mandolin, so people can expect something different from each song.

How long have you been performing and recording, and have you had any formal training?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I’ve been recording since 2013 and have been formally trained in school and have professional training in electric guitar outside school.

Who have been your major influences in your writing and performing styles?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I take my influences from a lot of instrumental music but also in pop music, rock and metal. My favorite band Tenacious D was huge in shaping how to make songs but also the feeling you get from each song is so concentrated even without the comedy element they would still be my biggest influence, although I may sound nothing like them but they still are my biggest inspiration

With the music industry always changing and evolving, what are the things you like and don’t like about it? What aspects of the industry do you feel can hurt or help your career today? If you could change anything about how the industry works, what would it be?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I think the music industry has never been better in terms of the accessibility for small artists but with the bar being low it also does not help the good stuff shine though as often. I’d change the mainstream attention on already established artists and push people to the new.

When you write any new music, can you tell us what the process is like? Describe to us what happens in a typical writing session?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: Anything goes, I don’t have a process I just get ideas and piece by piece build up a song, but I mostly start on guitar or keyboard and just because I start a song on an instrument does not mean I always use the same instrument for the final product

Where do you do most of your recording and production work? And do you outsource any or all of these processes?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I do it all from my home studio, by having full control over the mix I put a new element into my songwriting then if it was to be mixed by someone else.

Studio work and music creation, or performing and interacting with a live audience, the thought of which excites you most, and why?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: Performing in front of an audience easy, I get the most amount of excitement from music when I hear it live and I think the same is true for the people who listen to my music, both are good but it’s more enjoyable to play live

What is your favorite part about making music? Your least favorite? Why?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: The best part is working to see the full song grow, sitting back and listening to it. There is not really a worse part because you have to learn to grow from your mistakes but I would say it can be disappointing to finish a song, not like it at all and have to scrap it.

Is there a particular song in your catalog of tracks on which you feel you’ve delivered your most perfect performance, technically and emotionally? And is there maybe one song that you keep thinking you should have done differently in some way?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: Seaside summer is my best song up to now, with A Simple Fable at a close second however I would change the solo on that track as it was only meant to be temporary.

What do you consider as the essential elements of your music? What do you think gives it a distinctive Ryan Robinson.

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: That anything goes and I have the ability to tell any story I want, and it’s a great tool.

Disregarding obvious technological trends – Vinyl records, cassettes, CDs or downloads, which do you ultimately prefer and why?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: As much I would like to say Vinyl I mostly listen to music on my phone with vinyl as a treat.

What are currently some of the most important tools and/or instruments you’re using in creating your sound?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: Reverb, I love the sound of a clean guitar with plenty of reverb.

You have a brand new album coming shortly could you tell us more about its title and contents?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I don’t have a title so far but the contents are much different from past work as I don’t want to get too comfortable in my comfort zone.

Taking your upcoming album into consideration, which was the most difficult track to record, the way you wanted, and why?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: The most difficult tracks are the ones with the most experimentation however I believe these songs turn out to be the best.

We understand you are also collaborating with rapper/producer ‘stebedos’ on a song. Could you tell us something about that project?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: This is very exciting for me as Stebedos is a good friend of mine who has helped me with songwriting in past bands I have been in. I hope he brings some different aspects into my music and hopefully some guest vocals.

Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites as fundamental or helpful to your music, and what is your personal relationship with the new technology at hand?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I understand places like Instagram and Twitter are great places to promote your music but I just hate using it, I’d rather spend the time just recording and playing music but I understand that sometimes it’s necessary to promote on social media.

How essential do you think video is in relation to your music? Do you have a video you would suggest fans see, to get a better understanding of your craft?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: I had a music video that was never released as I believe it didn’t portray my image correctly but I hope to be adding many music videos with the singles on my upcoming album as I know it’s important for that connection with your fans.

What is the best piece of advice regarding the music business that you actually followed so far, and what is the advice you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: My mentality is that if you want something bad enough, unless you’re very very unlucky, you will get it. I have always followed that.

What would you consider a successful, proud or high point in your endeavors so far?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: playing to about 400 people was quite impressive and really motivated me to perform to larger crowds again.

What impact, if any, has Covid-19 had on you and your work so far?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: Not being able to go out just has made me lazy, playing guitar with friends is sometimes the best motivation.

Do you have a specific musical vision that you want to realize during 2020 or the foreseeable future?

The Ryan Robinson Experiment: Just make better music, I don’t want to focus on getting more listeners, just making better quality music that is fun to listen to.