10 Quick Ones with RICHIE RAY of THE STARS REVOLT – May 2018

According to a recent press release: “April 30, 2018 – Louisville, KY Rock Band THE STARS REVOLT has released the official music video for “Be Careful What You Wish For,” the lead single off of their debut, self-titled EP. Due out May 18th, The Stars Revolt is available for pre-order through iTunes, now!”  We get singer / guitarist Richie to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

This is EP basically a culmination of the past few years of our lives.  The themes vary, but the songs are very inter-connected. There are several lyrical throwbacks throughout the record that kind of piece it together, but it’s not anything that we’ve made blatantly obvious.  You’ll definitely have to listen a few times to catch them.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve been into music as long as I can remember.  I was in choir when I was little and even won my school talent show in first grade.  I was never shy about getting up in front of people, so it just kind of went together.  I very clearly remember the moment I wanted to be a performer though. My dad and I were watching the very first This Is Garth Brooks special on NBC.  I just saw how he handled a crowd and had songs that seemed to transcend his genre. The very next day I went and bought a guitar.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Oh man, there are so many.  I’d say, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, Nirvana, Green Day & NSync.  Those are more of the artists that shaped me musically, but you probably can’t tell that from the music that we play.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

This is a tough one.  I’d say probably Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day.  I would love to do a co-write with him.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

We are like this weird modern/throwback hybrid, at least I think so anyway.  It’s kind of modern radio rock thrown in with the vibe of 2000’s emo. We try not to put ourselves in any specific category, but that’s the best way I can describe it.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Besides playing music?  For me, I think it’s being able to connect with strangers on an emotional level.  We all have our own issues and problems, but when you create something that a person you have never met can hear and put into the context of their life, I think that’s incredible.

7. When the band is all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Skyler is an incredible cook.  I’d say Brett would get the drinks and Will is by far the go-to acoustic guy.  I just kind of sit around making fun of everyone.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I’d probably be a lawyer or architect.  I think that’s mainly because I like to argue and design things.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Years ago I was in the video for Cartel’s “Honestly” song.  I had some shots throughout the video and after the initial filing, I was selected to come back for reshoots for one of the bigger roles.  I was on tour at the time and didn’t want to cancel any dates (they weren’t even great shows) to go back to NYC and that part went to someone else.  Little did I know that it would blow up and be #1 on MTV’s TRL for like a month. I’m still mad at myself over that one.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for anyone record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Michael Jackson’s Thriller album.  Man, that set the tone for pop music for years to come.  That record taught me the value of having big choruses and catchy hooks.  A lot of my perspective of songwriting comes from that era of music.

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Category: Interviews