1) Band History-101: Tell us your story...how did it all begin and how did you get to where you are today Back in 2006 Ryan Williams was looking for a singer for a band that he was trying to keep alive. We actually met at a gas station that was very close to where we both lived. Ryan after countless terrifying vocalist auditions came to the conclusion that I looked like I may play music and asked if I was a singer. I said "No" ironically. Because I was a guitarist even though I did sing in my former band. We exchanged numbers. Ryan lost my number so I never heard from him. After a few months I decided to reach out and bought that being in a band again would be fun. After we met and started writing we realized we wanted to start our own thing from scratch. RSR was born. We wrote for about a year straight before even putting a band together and playing a show. We focused then on becoming the biggest band possible in Akron to the point that people in the region couldn't ignore us. We beat down every door with countless emails and phone calls and networked our way to bigger and better opportunities. Always focused on the next thing and persistently kept working at it. His became addicting. To see how far up the chain we could go ourselves. We finally reached a point where a management team was needed in 2013. Once we found Elevation Group, again through networking in the Northeast Ohio area, we were led to G&G in 2014. Together as a team we went after labels to take this to the national and international level. Razor&Tie jumped on board at the end of 2014. We recorded our debut album right away in 2015. And here we are a #1 billboard single later and having toured the country and Canada on this record. 2) Influences are one thing, but we want to know which band/ artist inspire you to make music today Our influences range very wide. But the common threads are The Beatles, Anything Maynard James Keenan has done, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Led Zeppelin. 3) You've toured with an impressive list of bands such as Pop Evil and Nothing More. It's one thing to learn from those bands, but what do you think they've learned from RED SUN RISING? How to love again. 4) Given the state of recorded music these days, how do you get your music to the people? Is file sharing a viable tool in gaining new fans? The live venue is great way to get the album to people, but the majority of new fans find us through the streaming apps. File sharing is definitely the new word of mouth.
5) RED SUN RISING is said to be a new form of alternative rock, building upon a foundation established by incredible artists. Is their an artist or band, whose career you could hope to mirror within your genre? We are hoping to carve our own path in an ever changing industry.
6) Is making a music video essential to a band's success in this day and age? Why or why not? Yes, it gives fans another outlet to get to know an artist. Especially if the video is the artists visual interpretation of the song! 7) You've worked hard to get RED SUN RISING where they are today. The hard work has paid off, but can you think of the single biggest mistake you've made in regard to RSR? How did you overcome this situation? Ignoring our instincts and following the advice of those who don't have your best interest at heart. Learning to trust those instincts keeps us passionate, and is what got us here today. 8) How important is social media interactions with your fans? Has social media killed the “rock star”? It has definitely taken away a lot of the mystique! People have more access now than ever, so, you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to see your favorite band. It has however become a great way for us to get to know our fans and absolutely vital to keeping them informed!
9) Is “the album” still a thing? Singles and EP's have taken over some genres...what are your thoughts on this format, in regards to your music? I hope so! It's not the people who are changing its the way they are receiving their music. It makes sence economically for the labels to push the no over head, streaming, no doubt a hit, single! We find that once the fans are engaged they want the art, the meaning, the intent! 10) Favorite recent movie release? Why should we see it? The Revenant is definitely worth going to see! It's intensity can almost overwhelming! Also loved the Martian. There something about exploring the unknown that sucks us in. 11) The last word is yours! What's coming up for the band?
We have this killer volume 11 interview about to drop! We also are always writing so new music will happen in the not so distant future. We have a ton of great tour dates including festivals all over the US and Canada this year so we encourage people to get out and see us this year.
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