Ryan Morgan Keeps Chivalry Alive
April
6,
2011
Ryan Morgan is a Denver-born, Brooklyn-based songwriter. He moved from Denver to Brooklyn in August, 2010, after spending years gallavanting around Latin America. His musical talents are apparent and he's just an awesome guy.
Now, Ryan is utilizing RocketHub to support the creation of his new record and is working with one of our favorite music-makers, E.W. Harris. We spoke to Ryan about his journey:
What was the inspiration behind the music project you are currently running on RocketHub? Why is it important to you?
I've been writing music and performing it in and around Denver (and, since August, New York City) since I was 16. I'd say that, when it comes to the individual songs, I'm mostly inspired by places I've been. I've done a lot of travelling over the last five or so years, and there's some things I have to say about those travels that I just don't know how to say unless I write songs about them. The album will have songs about places as varied as Cleveland, Ohio and Medellín, Colombia. Needless to say, New York City itself has proven to be an absolute fountain of ideas and emotions, and I hope I'm doing a good job of translating those into songs.
On a musical level, I'd say my biggest inspiration comes from the great songwriters that I've had the chance to meet both in Denver and New York. Of course I still take a lot away from the big, famous, signed acts that I love, but I'm finding more and more than my main influences (and, a lot of times, my main inspirations to write specific songs) come from people I know. New York has been, predictably, amazing in that regard. Not to start name-dropping but, for example, a great New York songwriter named Warren Malone produced an EP for me in January and I think you can definitely hear his influence in a lot of the stuff I'm doing now. And he's one of dozens and dozens of people who I love and admire and keep trying to impress.
The reason the current project - that is, releasing my my debut full-length album, is so important to me is because I see it as the culmination of all those inspirations. The record will be a healthy combination of the songs I wrote in Denver that have definite Denver folk scene influences in them and songs I've written in New York that have definite New York - specifically Brooklyn and even more specifically Big City Folk influences in them. So, I expect that the record will really reflect where I came from, and also where I am now musically. And reflect everywhere I've ever been lyrically. So, obviously, it means a lot to me to get to have that kind of document about my life to this point, and it's also tremendously humbling that there seems to be a decent number of people who like the music enough that they're helping fuel the costs of the album.
How has your experience been as a crowdfunding pioneer in the world of music and E.W. Harris' studio - how are your supporters responding?
Like nearly everyone, I was hesitant at first about the crowdfunding idea because I was nervous about whether I'd be able to raise the money. I've still got a little ways to go, but I've already been overwhelmed by the amount of support I'm getting. And seeing how it worked out for several of my good friends (Casey Black, Don Paris Schlotman, Paul Tabachneck and Niall Connolly have all successfully fueled albums using RocketHub) has given me a great deal of confidence, as have all their supportive words about the endeavor. It has been an absolute pleasure and a joy already to see in such a tangible way the depth of support I have as a person and an artist. It's especially thrilling to get rocket fuel from folks I wasn't expecting to get it from, or I didn't even tell about it. It really is deeply moving, and gives me a lot of confidence going forward.
As for E.W. Harris, I couldn't possibly think higher of him as a person and a producer. He's also one of the best songwriters I know, and so the input he can offer from that perspective is invaluable. I got the opportunity to sit in (and even do a bit of singing and New York cop-voicing) on his last project, which is the aforementioned Don Paris Schlotman album, and getting the chance to see him at work has left me absolutely confident that I'm in totally capable hands. With things as personal as songs you've written, it takes a lot of trust to share the responsibility of recording them with someone else, and I absolutely have that much trust in E.W. He's got such an amazing ear for bringing serious depth to what could just be simple 3-chord pop songs, and I think the results of my songs being filtered through his imagination and technical wizardry are going to be incredible.
As I mentioned earlier, I've been beside myself with uncharacteristic sentiment at how strongly people are responding to the project. E.W. has worked on several albums for friends of mine in the past year or so, and of course they're all as excited as I am about he and I working together. And the response to the project from all sorts of other people has also been incredible.
Any advice for Creatives looking to crowdfund a similar project?
I'd say that, particularly for artists who have been performing for a while, they should have confidence that they're capable of fueling their projects. It's a constant surprise from which angles rocket fuel might show up. I'd also say to make sure they have great rewards available (which I certainly hope I do!) And, also, it's important to remember that you're not asking for money (something that a lot of people, myself included, have a really hard time doing) but you're offering rewards in exchange for support. It's an amazing way to tap into your support to help develop creative projects without needing a super-rich uncle.
Wow. Thank you Ryan for the honest insights and solid analysis. For lovers of good music, check out Ryan's project.
-Vlad
