SEVEN DEADLY Q’S WITH RON GALLO
Its our first international-artist-based article, and Dan has for sure swept us up with this one!
“I was honoured to be able to interview the amazing Ron Gallo through the power of the worldwide web. We talked meditation, the importance of being multi-faceted in todays ever shifting workplace and stress and its relation to creativity 😊“
1. I was listening to Stardust Birthday Party and kept thinking to myself that a lot of the lyrics reminded me of the kind of introspection one has when meditating (something I started doing as a result of the pandemic). Then I heard OM and that sort of confirmed that, but what are your views on meditation, and does it help your creative process?
Ron: Meditation was hard for a long time; I think because I didn't understand what it was. Now, I see it as a practice to remind us of our natural state of being. A way to return to that empty, nothingness for a bit and observe the mind rather than be consumed by it. I go in waves with it, months where I will have a daily practice and then months where I don't at all. It's super easy to talk yourself out of meditating, haha.
2. Given that writing is such a prominent part of your works, what are some of your favourite authors and poets? Do you think music with literary intent is on the rise?
Ron: I actually hate poetry haha, at least reading other people's poetry - I feel like poems are usually only good for the people that wrote them. Myself included. When it becomes a song it's different though because the delivery is equally as important as the actual words. As for authors, I don't read a TON honestly but the last book I finished a month or so ago was "The First Bad Man" by Miranda July and I thought it was great and I feel like I really understand her oddball way of thinking and saying things. I don't think music with literary intent is on the rise - I think really basic, vulnerable songs that are like "today I woke up alone, sun was out, I scrolled my phone and saw you in my DM's" is on the rise.
3. If you had to have another career, what would it be? Do you think there's a place for renaissance men/women in today’s day? Are genres or an artist sticking to one discipline a thing of the past?
Ron: I want to get into fashion design and start a line of kid’s clothes for adults, maybe try acting and eventually start an Italian kombucha company. I could never stick to one genre musically, hence why the music I’m putting out now is drastically different than the first few and may always be that way. I think now is definitely the time for "renaissance" people because the creative industries are so fucked and fragile and in my mind constant evolution is the only way to survive.
4. Aside from the Really Nice fest/blog as well as the new EP; what have you been doing to keep yourself inspired and or busy during these times?
Ron: Washing dishes, cleaning, eating non-stop, aimless drives, took a trip up to philly/new jersey to see family for a few weeks and that was a lifesaver. It's difficult to be inspired right now because very limited perspectives and locations aren't super stimulating.
5. Are you someone that works better under stress or do you find having a clear head and being positive does the trick for good songwriting? Do you sometimes need time away from the craft to re charge or do you think it's better to write and be creative daily?
Ron: Unfortunately, I think turmoil or distress makes it easier to create but I'm not interested in that path anymore so it does take a little longer because I would rather create from a clear, positive mindset now because I have to relive whatever is behind a song every night when we start touring again. Feels like a better thing to build a life on.
6. Has it become easier or harder over the last decade to get an online presence? Who's an undiscovered creative you could shoutout?
Ron: It feels impossible right now. Especially from a musician perspective, the world is living on the internet all at once and the ability to cut through seems very difficult. I think I am realizing the best way to get an online presence is from the real world - going out touring and being around people. Nowadays it seems people only want bad news, or funny stupid viral shit to take their mind off of things. I would shout out - Jota Ese, chickpee, Stuyedeyed, Binki and also the 4 new Ron Gallo songs out now.
7. And lastly; what's one thing the world needs more of and one thing it needs less of?
Ron: World needs more compassion and less entitlement.
Ron Gallo’s new EP EASTER ISLAND is out now, make sure to check it out!
