Interview with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Vocalist Ron Winter
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Ron! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
CV: How important is the theme or message of a song's lyrical content in comparison to the music itself in your opinion? Can a song be strong even if the words and music really don't gel?
Ron Winter: Every artist I know see’s through their own lenses - in my
opinion lyrics are the most important. The song is strong when the writer
reaches a point of finality…some songs have no words at all.
CV:
It's been just about two years since The
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released any new music. Was it a matter of making
time to write based on schedules and touring or does such a writing hiatus lend
itself to a buildup of creative juices?
RW: Josh (lead guitar) and Jon (drums) started writing the music
in 2016, and then I started producing that music into finished songs last year.
There was no gap in writing for us, the process just takes time. We have already begun recording new songs
since finishing upcoming “The Emergency EP” – we’re always working on new
material.
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| See "Brace Yourself" video here |
CV: The band's new single, "Brace Yourself," is now available and has been accompanied with an animated lyric video. Can you tell us a bit about the song and why the band felt now was the appropriate time to release it? Does it have a message apropos for the current world situation?
RW: The lyrics to our newest single were originally written about Josh’s Mom (Linda Burke) battling and surviving cancer. That was last year… the lyric video was made this year and it coincides lyrically with what we are experiencing as people during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CV: The COVID pandemic just about grinded the music industry to a complete halt with regards to bands performing live along with a venue's ability to book any shows for the foreseeable future. However, many bands have taken to social media platforms to perform and connect with their fans. Do you feel social media performances are going to become the “new norm” for artists as the world moves to a post COVID lifestyle?
RW: I suppose right now it’s the new normal - but that won’t last forever. Live music will live again, patience is the key and level heads will prevail. We’ll be out playing live again, once it’s safe to do so for the fans.
RW: I’ve seen social media more as a unifying tool rather than distancing, it’s just in a digital format rather than physical. I’m grateful for the technology available to us at this space in time, and we take full advantage of that.
CV: If the world was without social media, what would an artist need to do to build an audience and be successful?
RW: All the same old rules still apply: Write your own songs; practice 7 days a week; and then put the band together and start jamming. You have to put the work in, that hasn’t changed.
CV: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus had plans to begin touring again starting at the end of June, but that has now been postponed. When do you feel fans will be ready to attend shows again?
RW: The June shows were postponed, hopefully by August or September all bands will be up and running again, at least to some degree. No one really knows for certain….
CV: How do you see the music industry rebounding from this global crisis? Will this change things for the better or will more restrictions be put into place, making it harder for future artists to create a living with their music?
RW: From what I’ve seen so far the music industry hasn’t changed much, just the touring industry. As for making a living from your music, that’s very much still possible if you monetize your channels properly.
CV: Do you feel times like these bring people closer together as a community or does it inevitably have the reverse effect, causing further separation and prejudice?
RW: I think point of view determines action, my close friends and I have become closer. Most veteran band members are used to being distanced from their fellow members in between tours, as they often live in distant locations or other cities. So e-mail and phone tag has always been a part of being in a band. The best remedy is regular communication and keeping in touch, no matter what the means.
CV: What's next for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus? What can fans expect to see from the band post COVID?
RW: It’s all about "Brace Yourself" for us right now. After that, the release of the the full EP later this year. We are working on some more awesome lyric videos - which our fans really love.
CV: Thank you again Ron for spending some time talking and sharing with
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redjumpsuit/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4ZN4SqtD9wDhO0jSbF4zin
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4ZN4SqtD9wDhO0jSbF4zin
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086MWYTLH/ref=ap_ws_tlw_trk9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnTwXNugm2o
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnTwXNugm2o
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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