An Interview With Award-winning Singer & Songwriter Ed Roman
Ed Roman is an Award-winning singer/songwriter, performer and multi-instrumentalist from Shelburne, Ontario, Canada. Blurring the lines between pop, rock, folk, and country music genres, Ed’s uniquely crafted songs have received regular rotation on more than 100 terrestrial radio stations across North America and more than 400 stations, worldwide. Ed is a 2014 Artists Music Guild Award Nominee, a 2014 International Music and Entertainment Association Award Winner, a two-time 2015 IMEA Award nominee, a 2015 and 2016 Josie Show Awards winner, an Akademia Awards Winner, and a two-time Indie Music Channel Award winner.
Ed has performed at the Red Gorilla Music Fest during SXSW, The Millennium Music Conference, and SS Cape May, and he has toured both New York City and Philly. Recently, this Top 100 MTV.com and #1 Reverbnation artist traveled to Jamaica to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to the island, while shooting the music video for “Jamaica.” Ed is also a Heart Songs for Veterans artist, donating money to help veterans with his single and Top 10 Yallwire.com video,, “Lay One Down.”
His last album, Letters From High Latitudes (an homage to his Ontario home) was a critically-acclaimed vehicle for Ed’s socio-political, earthly-conscious and globally-aware messages. This earthy, funky and magical mix of music has earned Ed Roman airplay chart recognition and won over legions of fans around the world, known as “Ed Heads.” Now, Ed has returned with a brand new album, Red Omen, produced with renowned producer, Michael Jack. The album, featuring the first single and video, I Am Love, was released June 7, 2016. Follow up single and video, “The Way She Goes” was released in November 2016. www.edroman.net
Q:When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans:
Ed Roman. Only time will tell…..
The most important thing is that you keep writing and reacting to the emotions that you’re having as a result of the life experience. Songwriting can be like re-organizing a ménage and array of ideas and concepts in order to bring about the pieces of the puzzle that create the bigger picture. As time goes by there seems to be a flow in the way that certain messages and ideas work together and independently from one another. As esoteric as that may sound this is usually the catalyst for me in recording a new album. I never find the process at all in anyway shape or form stressful. I’m very lucky to have a friend and producer like Michael Jack and who understands the importance of what it means to have a positive studio experience. Michael in his own right is not only a gifted engineer and producer but has always played music from a young age. He gets it..
Q: How easily do songs tend to come to you?
Ans:
Ed Roman. I never try to put a time constraint and or mathematics on the writing process. Some songs take longer periods of time for certain reasons and others come very quickly. As a result the timeframe is a relevant what is important is the earnest feeling that the writer is receiving in the moment. Those seem to be the subtle pulling points that force the writer into new realms of thinking and ideas about concepts. They are marked by realization and confirmation in thinking. Sometimes they need pondering and other times they slept together almost in a serendipity like fashion. I try to never negate the process or the style in which I feel approach me.
Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Ans:
Ed Roman. Take from life what is only essential and always give back.
Q: What is you favorite song to belt out at the bar/in the car right now?
Ans:
Ed Roman… HA!!! Love the question. Get Up Stand Up.
I have been enamoured for a number of years with reggae culture and its enthusiasm philosophy and life empowering messages. Lyrics in songs are more like a personal mantras that feed us in times of great reflection about the moment that we live in. Even though some messages were conveyed many years ago they sometimes have even greater relevance years after they have been spoken and sung. I am staggered at the state of the human condition and the inequality evil and anger that is going on in our mortal coil’s. This song charges my spirit and urges me to put away my fear and stand up for what I believe in. That’s the most important thing to me right now.
Q: How do you shut things out?
Ans:
Ed Roman.. “for this garden of life so pure and good to me” EJR
Gardening is my next passion in life and a good thing too… as it sustains me it and keeps me healthy. It’s one of the healthiest detachments I’ve ever found in my life. My family has been doing it for generations and it something that is a part of my living environment. I have learned that social media is more like a disease. It has the same ramp up effects heroin has and or the release of dopamine in the brain in terms of instant gratification. I consider myself to be a Neo pantheist non-conformist and in the pantheon it is where I feel most challenged vulnerable frightened and alive..
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Ans:
Ed Roman. Everything in the kitchen sink.
Q: You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the proccess?
ANS:
Ed Roman. It’s the cathartic release of an emotional build up that’s been collating for periods of time. Sometimes they come out of the realms of the unexpected. At times they are more like treasure maps for clandestine emotions waiting underneath the surface. It is this vulnerable and violent nature that is pulling truth, removed from exemption and honesty wielded with gravity. They are words, musical ideas and melodies that almost seem to be unquestionable as the harness you to their team of horses and pull you through the experience.
Q: At what age did you start singing?
ANS:
Ed Roman. I have been singing and listening to singing and participating in singing and writing songs as long as I have had thought.
Q:Who are your inspirations?
Ans:
Ed Roman. Everyone everything everywhere is an inspirational idea depending on how it effects you in your life. Art is very subjective to the viewer so at the same time it is extremely subjective to the creator or shall I say the receiver. Art to me is far more of a cerebral experience that originally charges the situation with some philosophical manifestation that can range from anything to humour sarcasm or an abundance of history all rolled up into some kind of fascinating effigy of what the moment represents.. it is of course life..
Q: If you could perform with anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?
Ans:
Ed Roman. A whole host of wonderful musicians that I know when play with. They are my musical family and comrades in arms. To me I’m most comfortable when I’m playing music with these wonderful musicians. It’s when the music lives and takes on a spark more like and electric Cathedral.
Thank you so kindly for having me today and it’s been an absolute blast speaking with you..