Amelia Ray – Thanks for Asking!

Photo by Steel String Photography

By Sara Busone.

RRX: Let’s pretend, instead of a band, you owned a business. What would it be, and why would it be good?

AR: I have always dreamed of having my own food and travel show. I would get paid to fly around the world, stay in luxury hotels, and eat everything. It would be a great show (and by extension, a great business) because I am very passionate about food, and will eat anything (except coconut flakes, fried beef liver, and one particularly ammoniacal Galician cheese that made a bad first impression).

RRX: You sing, you play guitar, you have no doubt struggled to learn music. Something probably tripped you up. What was it ? What did you have to overcome?

AR: I have played guitar for over 40 years but still struggle with scales, modes, and soloing. I recently learned that I suffer from a visual processing disorder that makes locating patterns on the fretboard extremely difficult. What a relief to know that, after 40 years, I wasn’t just too daft to learn guitar! I haven’t yet found a method or tool that works to help me process patterns easier but I am certain that once I do, I’ll start playing like Mike Stern within days.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

AR: My philosophy is simple: everybody should be paid for their work. It is not only dismal what most streaming platforms pay in artist royalties – it’s abhorrent. But, as consumers, we have to realise that we’re using our power to perpetuate the practice by paying our $12/month (that’s if we’re paying subscriptions) for the privilege of having 24-hour access to almost all of the music ever recorded. It’s wild to think about. I’m trying to wean myself off streaming as a means of consumption, but it’s hard. And, while I did remove my music from Spotify, I can’t justify removing my music from all of the streaming platforms. Not only would it hurt me as an artist, it would be punitory to my fans who are active streamers.

I’ve read lots of articles about young people ditching streaming in favour of buying one album a week, and having listening parties. I love that analog listening is alive and well. And I love brainstorming alternatives to streaming. I just started a series called RAY.I., designed to bring artists and audiences together in a more mindful approach to our modern world. We’ll discuss streaming in the second episode.

RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers, etc. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight on?

AR: I enjoy working with mixing engineer Brandon Bankes, who has a great ear and sense for what I like in a mix. For mastering, Michael Romanowski is my go-to guy. He’s got a great work ethic and a wicked sense of humour. And for video, I’m always up for collaborating with Kyle Lamont. She’s got a great eye and feel, knows exactly what to say to rid me of the “I’m-in-front-of-a-camera!” giggles, and it is quite possible we were separated at birth.

RRX: What are some of your basically harmless vices?

AR: See the food and travel show idea above.

RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come to see you play?

AR: I’d like fans to be open to learning something new about themselves at my shows. The open mind fits through the door. The open hand claps on two and four. (I just made that up. I don’t know if I’ll keep it …)

https://ameliaray.net/
https://www.patreon.com/ameliaray