Category: Interviews
Finally Snapped, aka Bradley Ryckman, lays down such and incredibly diverse collection of tunes that it’s almost impossible to peg him. Rock, pop, acoutic, jazz, metal, folk, alternative, dance... yet he doesn’t claim a fusion mix of these genres. He sincerely takes on every style with authenticity, solid songwriting and heartfelt passion. And it shows.
Self-taught and constantly testing his limits, Bradley doesn’t offer the pretension’s of a typical artist with his craft. Instead, one gets the feeling that he feels lucky, and he reminds himself that it’s a hell of a lot of fun to write and play songs that people enjoy. So he keeps doing it every chance he gets.
As one of the most prolific contributors to the Project Opus song collection, Bradley offers up a continuous selection of honest, interesting and musically diverse songs. Taking him out of the studio working on his latest efforts, I had a chance to ask him the 12 questions of the Working Class Musician.
Tell us a bit about your band: how it started, where you come from, who is involved? What brought you together? What other bands have you played in?
I suppose I am my own band. I started to play guitar back when I was like 13. Never took any lessons, I just wanted to be like my idol at the time, Kurt Cobain. So I picked up my really crappy acoustic that I got for Christmas, and played one string at a time, and then … attempted to sing (lol). See in St. Thomas, where I live, there was no music scene whatsoever - just a bunch of people that wanted to learn how to play, and then gave up when they told themselves they wouldn’t make it. I never have that attitude.
I’ve played in few bands throughout high school, can’t even remember the names (haha), and then in 2003 I joined MEDyCATED as their lead singer/songwriter, but we had many different opinions on where we wanted to go and what we should do. So we stayed friends and just went separate ways. Then over the next few years I started thinking, “Hmmm… I can play guitar and bass guitar, and keyboard, and sing. I’ll do it myself.” So I started doing songs for fun on my computer with my Magix Music Maker program, and my $9.00 Wal Mart microphone (haha).
Then I ended up joining another band last year in 2006, You and What Army, in which we had all left due too stress from this world. We just joined forces again on April 11th, now were in the midst of recording our album. But I still do my own music on the side.
You have a very eclectic approach to your music – one that embraces a number of different styles and genres. Some might say that contradicts what is considered normal or logical. How do you explain your prolific and varied songwriting?
My songwriting is very confusing I know. I love all types of music really. But my style consists of only one thing: feelings. If I have a bad day and I’m mad, I write an angry song. If I’m depressed and I hate myself, I write a song that states that feeling. If I’m drunk or happy and giddy I usually write my weird happy tunes (lol). And so on. So styles of music never matter to me, I’m all over the map.
Where did you get your start in the music business? When did you know it was going to be your career? If you weren’t playing music, what would you be doing these days?
I don’t really have a start in the music business, but I kinda knew I wanted it to be my career when I started catchin’ friends attention with songs I wrote, then their friends liked it and so on. Plus I had to because it’s always my outlet for life’s stresses or good things.
Where do you find the inspiration for the songs you write? Do you have a message in the songs? Is songwriting more of a collaborative or solo effort?
When I write a song, mostly my inspiration is just what I’m going through at that time. And usually it’s never that great of a thing that’s happening to me. And usually, even with a band, it’s a solo thing. Not many people get or understand that when you’re a vocalist. Yeah, you can sing to other people’s lyrics and sing the way they want you to, but then you just don’t feel it. People that listen can tell when you don’t feel something. I sing, and if I’m pissed about something, you’ll know it. Or if I’m sad, you’ll know it, and so on.
How would you describe your sound? Has it evolved over time? Do you explore different avenues for your creativity?
My sound now is completely different than when I started. I taught myself how to play all the instruments, piano, guitars, singing, and I may not be a Jimmy Hendrix on guitar or Beethoven on Piano, or even a great singer, but I’m good with catchiness and timing and tones. I keep getting better as I go cause I’m always learning new things along the way. So I’m always exploring new avenues to music, and I hope to hit them all along the way.
Do you have a favourite artist whose work and style you admire? Is there anyone you would like to work with if you had the chance?
I have so much admiration for so many artists for all different styles and reasons, but I suppose if there were one that comes the clearest it would have to be Kurt Cobain. He could sing or scream gibberish and you would always feel something from his style of singing and songwriting. It’s that feeling of he could be singing about something that means something to him and only him, but yet you can say I so feel the exact same way. But if there was an artist nowadays that I would love to work with, that would have to be Christopher Hall from the band Stabbing Westward. I feel that we show emotions in the same way, and plus he kicks ass as a singer!!!
The music business is nothing if not a learning experience. Is there any wisdom you wish you knew when you were just starting out that you can pass along to those just breaking into the business?
My god, I really don’t think I could pass anything on about the business aspect of music, but I do know that you should always have an open mind with a lot of things like recording and mass-producing your albums. And always read the fine lines when signing a contract, so I’ve been told.
There are two important elements to every musician’s life: Playing live and recording in the studio. As an artist, which do you prefer? How do you approach each scenario differently?
I most definitely prefer live for sure!! I love singing in front of people!!! I guess when I’m in the studio, I’m more relaxed and open to change and screw-ups, cause I know I can redo it, but on stage I make sure I give a great performance and try to keep it the way the song was meant to be. Sometimes change is good, live is not really a great time for that…not always anyways.
A recording is permanent, but a show is a moment in time. What kind of show do you put on? What can fans expect from seeing you live? How much do you play live throughout the year? Have you toured extensively or kept it local?
I get so much extra energy from the crowd. I try not to move too much, if it will screw up my vocals, I hate screwing up when I’m singing live. But if they like energy live, then they will get it from my voice. I’m not really a jumper or a mover unless I get that reaction from the crowd that I need.
I’ve never played live with my solo music, not sure how I’d pull that off, but with bands we usually grab any show we can, just to play live. We usually just play local area, like just Ontario…so far.
For you, what makes a great fan? What do you do to make fans feel special or connected to you as an artist?
Really any fan is a great fan. Ones that interact after a show are my favorite type. The ones that wanna party after, and have drinks and compliment you all night, they make me pre cum…(lol).
The Internet has certainly changed the music business. Would you say you have embraced the opportunities that the Internet offers? In your opinion, has it helped the industry or has it just changed the rules of the game?
I haven’t used all the options of the internet, no. But I personally think it’s the best way to promote and show your talents to everyone around the world! I totally think it’s helped the industry.
What’s next for you and all your projects?
Hopefully – Rockstardom!! And many, many rounds of beer and shots!! (lol) And finally playing that dream show of being in front of thousands of people there to hear my songs! I’ll keep plugging away with my solo projects on my computer and stay with this band and do music with them too, something should happen soon I’m sure!
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