The brand new single "Lost" is out now. As always, the proceeds of the song will be donated to kids in need. Music has played an important role in Roger Ricks' life from an early age. It helped him cope with his youth and served as a motor for achieving his goals. Roger Ricks became interested in music when, at the age of 12, he received an old guitar from a colleague. At that time, bands like Guns n' Roses and Aerosmith were hip, and Eric Clapton's Unplugged album was in the charts. He wanted nothing more than to be able to make music just like them, and from then on, his passion for guitar music burned within him.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Roger Ricks. What first got you into music?
Due to a stroke of fate, my youth was strongly influenced by difficult feelings. energetic rock songs by aerosmith, guns n roses, etc. helped me a lot to control them. that's when the desire to learn the guitar myself arose at the age of about 15. playing freed my soul and helped me to overcome this difficult time and to draw new strength and confidence.
What do you think your role is in this world?
Over all i have been very lucky in my life and try to give something back to those who are not so blessed. that's why my music is a charity project and all proceeds are donated to children in need. i hope to use the power of music to have a positive impact at least for some.
Your latest track is 'Lost'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
The song was actually meant as a collaboration between me and the outstanding singer and friend emme pierre. She wrote the lyrics and i composed and recorded the music. just before she was supposed to sing the vocals, she unfortunately fell permanently ill with vocal cords and we decided to release the song anyway, just with my vocals.
What’s your scariest experience?
My most beautiful experience was also my most frightening: the birth of my son. it was the happiest moment of my life, but also the day when i became aware of the great responsibility that was now being passed on to me and thus also the fear that i might not live up to it.
How do you spend your time?
Music is my hobby and my passion. especially guitars. that's why i decided some time ago to build my own instruments. Composing my own songs, recording them myself with my own instruments and thus transporting my feelings fills me with a lot of joy. professionally i am an architect and real estate specialist. Besides my job, family, music and guitar building there is not much time left, but when I can I spend as much time as possible outside in nature.
What are you most proud of?
Proud is a big word, i would rather say i am happy that i made it to where i am now by my own efforts. I am self-taught and have taught myself everything. playing guitar, building guitars, producing etc. it shows that if the passion for something is there, somehow there is a way to make your dreams come true.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
I have been an aerosmith fan since i was 15. their music has inspired me, accompanied me through the darkest hours of my life and given me hope. i even have an autographed gibson les paul with the signatures of all band members hanging on my study wall. to be able to be the warm-up act for them would be the biggest honor.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
I follow my heart. people evolve throughout life and since my music is a mirror of my soul, it will automatically evolve. my credo is to stay myself, to be authentic. i'm more the quiet type, reserved and i don't try to play something just to please people. i'm not the typical rock n roll musician though. i don't have tatoos, i don't drink alcohol, i don't smoke and i'm not extroverted. but i believe that my audience feels that i do what i do from the heart and that it's not about fame and glory but about the joy of music and what i can achieve with it. the rest comes by itself through hard work, i'm convinced of that.
Do you think that technology is improving lives?
For me, it has definitely changed and improved my musical life. i no longer have to go to expensive studios for sessions but can record, produce and release music whenever i want and whenever i can fit it in with my family. we now have all the great possibilities of music production just in our bedroom, which is incredibly nice.
Of course, there are downsides to all of this, because i'm very skeptical about the whole social media and its effects on the psyche and health of all of us. especially young people are growing up in a glossy society, which is not healthy from my point of view.
What superpower would you have and why?
I would like to have the power to write music that makes unhappy people laugh and gives them confidence. Like aerosmith gave me strength back then. well, i'm not steven tyler or joe perry, but maybe i'll succeed with one or the other in a small way anyway.