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Getting To Know Awesome Ray Ray (Interview)

November 30, 2022 — 1 Comment

Awesome Ray Ray is an artist that knows no creative boundaries. Filled with energy, promoting positivity, and crossing a wide range of genres, he has something to offer for everyone. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Awesome Ray Ray about his start in music, what inspires him, his recent appearance at Blue Ridge Rock Festival, his latest single, and what’s on the horizon for him.

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MM: First and foremost, can you describe your sound in your own words? 

R: Sometimes it’s like this raspy, bluesy southern gospel rocker vibe, then mix that in with rap, trap, and hip hop, sprinkle a little bit of heavy metal, R&B and EDM, then you have a “never really know” what to expect mix that is “Awesome Ray Ray”. 

MM: Who are your biggest influences?

R: Limp Bizkit, LL Cool J, Jelly Roll, Drake, Linkin Park, Korn, Post Malone, Slipknot, Kendrick Lamar, Gym Class Heroes. 

MM: With such a wide variety of genres mixing in your sound and your list of influences, who would be your dream touring mates? Or just a dream lineup that you’d be on?

R: Definitely Limp Bizkit, Jelly Roll, Travis Scott, Gym Class Heroes

MM: That would be a killer show. So, on to another standard question. What made you want to pursue a career in music? 

R: I’ve been a lover of music since I was a little kid. I picked up my first pair of drumsticks at the age of three, and that’s all she wrote. Listening to music has always been therapy and a way of coping with stresses of life. And writing/performing it literally does the exact same for me. 

MM: In regard to drumming, was there anyone in particular that inspired you to pick up those sticks?

R: Gene Krupa, Quest Love (The Roots)
John Otto (Limp Bizkit )

MM: Describe your songwriting process, and where do you draw most of your inspiration for songs? 

R: Normally I hear a melody or I’ll hear a guitar riff, or a beat/instrumental and my mind will just start going crazy. I usually have to write it all down quickly. My inspiration normally comes from real life experiences, or whatever I’m feeling in that exact moment. 

MM: Tell me about your experience performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival.

R: It was absolutely life-changing. For that being my first show ever as a solo artist,I felt a lot of pressure but was extremely thankful for the opportunity. The second my foot hit that stage and I opened my mouth and saw the crowd reaction, I knew immediately this was home. Every aspect from driving down, to parking my tour bus, to meeting the stage managers, sound engineers, staff, security, helpers, fans, national acts, regional acts, etc. Just the general reception that I received from everybody, it was absolutely amazing. Not a lot of artist or bands get that experience for their first show, so I’m incredibly grateful, and Blue Ridge will forever have a special place in my heart. I absolutely look forward to going back and performing again. 

Awesome Ray Ray at BRRF (2021)

MM: For anyone who was unfortunate enough to miss you at BRRF (like myself), what can concertgoers expect from an Awesome Ray Ray live show?

R: A lot of energy, positive vibes, positive reinforcement, a mix of different styles of music, some serious moments, and definitely some funny moments. I’ll crack a joke in a heartbeat. Lots of smiles and laughs, and a lot of high fives and hugs.

MM: It sounds like a very positive, feel-good experience, and we can all use a bit more of that. While I have you here, I wanted to be sure to touch on your latest single. Can you tell me the inspiration behind “Last Desperado”?

R: Absolutely. “Last Desperado” was originally a hip-hop song that I wrote a few years ago. I produced a hip-hop instrumental, and wrote it about being cocky/confident, while still trying to encourage people and spread a bit a of a positive message. I know those two seldomly go together but I decided to give it a shot. One of my good friends, and one of the most amazing, talented, producers/guitarists, and overall human beings, that I’ve ever met by the name of William Baker (formerly of Hallow Intent), reached out to me after playing Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021. [He] was taking on some production projects, and I sent him this and said “Hey bro, can you add to this? Throw in some guitars and heavy metal? You know? Do ya thang?”. And WOW did he! It turned out awesome! Like I knew it was gonna be good, but I didn’t know it was gonna slap so hard. And perform this well stream-wise. I’m incredibly thankful for his friendship and help/support on this record. And there will definitely be more where that come from soon! 

MM: I really like that message. So often we think of confidence in ourselves and empathy for other people as separate things when in reality, you can have both. And now we come to the final, all-encompassing “What’s next for Awesome Ray Ray?”

R: I have a lot of music/videos that are gonna be coming out soon, booking shows, being a part of other projects hitting the road, and just straight up following my dreams while inspiring and encouraging others to do the same. 

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There you have it! Awesome Ray Ray has a lot of exciting things for y’all to look forward to. You can find his social medias and the streaming services that have his music at the link below! And be sure to check out “Last Desperado.”

Socials, merch, streaming

Interview: Wes Grissom of Ancient Sins

November 19, 2022 — 2 Comments

Ancient Sins is a rock/metal project founded in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist Wes Grissom while deployed overseas. Taking various music and lyrics that Wes had written over the years, the band put together its debut album Never Back Down, which was released in 2018. Since then, life has been hectic, especially given the standstill caused by Covid, but Ancient Sins is coming back strong. Not only has Wes played shows with the likes of Quiet Riot, Powerman 5000, and Saving Abel, he has also been working on Ancient Sins’ sophomore record.

I recently had the chance to speak with Wes about his start in music, his various influences, his writing process, and the new music on the horizon.

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MM: First and foremost, how would you describe Ancient Sins’ sound? Who are your major influences?

WG: When I was working on [the debut album] Never Back Down, everything was led by Alter Bridge. One Day Remains was the record that kick-started me back into playing guitar. Other bands that influenced me during that record cycle were Nightwish, Shinedown, Hammerfall, and Disturbed. Now, with the new album, I’m still heavily influenced by Alter Bridge, and Tremonti, as well as Five Finger Death Punch and some instrumental metalcore. It’s really a mix of everything I listen to.

MM: You said One Day Remains got you “back” into playing guitar. When did you first start?

WG: I wanted to play as early as 3rd grade. I told my mom I wanted to play guitar in the after-school band and she said no, so I started on classical instruments. I didn’t really start on guitar until I was 16. I had played a couple of times before that, but I didn’t get my first guitar until right after my 16th birthday.

MM: And what made you want to play to begin with?

WG: It was actually an old VHS of Garth Brooks live in concert. I don’t remember the title, but it was in the early 90s – ’93 or ’94 – when Ty England was his guitarist. That dude was phenomenal and was ultimately who got me interested in playing. The one who ignited the fire later on, who got me back into it, was Mark Tremonti [Creed, Alter Bridge, Tremonti].

MM: Did you always want to be a vocalist as well?

WG: I always enjoyed singing. I used to sing on the way to and from work because I had an hour’s drive each way. When I was starting Ancient Sins, I did put out some feelers for a vocalist because there was a certain style and range I was looking for. I wanted that upper tenor range, and I kinda had it; I’m getting better at it. Eventually, I decided “if you want it done right, you’ve gotta do it yourself,” so I took on the role.

MM: Who are your vocal influences?

WG: Myles Kennedy [Alter Bridge, Slash] is my primary influence now. Back in the day, it was the metal singers of the 80s: Bon Jovi, Dio, Steve Perry [Journey], etc.

MM: I can certainly hear their influence on songs such as “Curse the Rain” and the title track from Never Back Down. Now, let’s move along to your third role, songwriting. What is your process?

WG: I piece the songs together like a puzzle. I write sections – the chorus, a verse, a bridge – and then, based on the song title or the licks I have at the time, I decide which direction the song goes in from there. Is it going to be a melodic journey, a down-and-dirty, fast, heavy riff, or is it something that will repeatedly take a new shape until it gets where I want it. I want to be different, but at the same time I want my songs to be something people can latch on to in their own lives. I may be able to bring somebody a form of solace.

MM: I know a lot of artists let what’s happening in the world bleed into their lyrical content, while others pointedly attempt to avoid it. For you, personally, where do you draw your inspiration for songs?

WG: Life, in general. Life experiences. Situations we’ve all been in – relationships, a death in the family, things like that. I’m slowly developing a good way to convey my message to the audience in a way they can connect with. I’m gradually doing it better.

MM: You recently played with Powerman 5000. What was that like, and do you have any more upcoming shows?

WG: Playing with Powerman 5000 was an absolute honor. All of them were humble dudes, and it was a trip hanging out with them and talking. Not even talking shop, just talking like regular individuals. Filling the opening slot for that show was an incredible experience, and it was my biggest crowd to date.

I was also direct support for Saving Abel earlier this month, and had a show with Firing All Cylinders and Deep Within. We’re trying to solidify dates for the Showcase Showdown in Vegas, an experience I won from ITNS radio, but I haven’t been given the exact date I’ll play yet.

MM: You have mentioned your new album a few times during this conversation. Tell me a little bit about that, and how soon can we expect a single?

WG: Initially we were looking at a single this month [Nov. ’22] and the album release in December. However, Paul, who is stepping in to play drums on the new album, as well as producing it, has been on tour with Dead Original and Smells Like Nirvana for the last three months. We had to push everything back. Right now, tentatively, probably February 2023 for the album release. Once we complete the record, we will decide which song will be the lead single. I might pull an Alter Bridge and release the title track as a lyric video before sharing the official first single. I’ll keep you updated.

MM: Great! I definitely look forward to it, and we’ll have to chat again when the album drops. Thank you so much for your time.

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To keep up with all things Ancient Sins, be sure to follow the various AS accounts across social media, and check out Never Back Down on your favorite streaming service.