Tell us about yourself and your music
I started writing songs as a kid, walking home from school. It would be one long song playing in my head. Like I was listening as my subconscious was writing. That was before I really knew how to play guitar that well. So it wasn’t like when I got home I could pick up the guitar and know how to play the music. But I would try to write down any words or lyrics that I had heard in hopes of retaining a song. Or part of a song, or anything. It was always about the song, I wanted to write songs.
Talk to us more about your latest release
It’s called “Color Blind”. My Dad is color blind. I was thinking about all the things that my dad and I don’t necessarily agree on. I’m a junior, and he raised me from when I was about nine. There are a lot of similarities. But as far as the differences, the things he doesn’t see the same way as me. Of course not, he’s color blind! It’s not a bad thing. The same way me being me is not a bad thing, hopefully!
http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/32082552
What inspired you to write this release?
I was going through a phase of Smashing Pumpkins. I tried the pedal Billy Corgan used on Siamese Dream, the fuzz pedal. I work at a music store part-time. So we always have that one in stock. I love the sound of that pedal. But I don’t want to rip off somebody else’s sound. Well, I allowed myself to do it just this once lol.
Describe the writing and recording process
I wrote the chords on a Squier Strat that I bought from an old acquaintance of mine who is now an emerging actor in Hollywood. I was watching one of his movies on Hulu and that guitar happened to be leaning up against the chair next to me. A simple little chord change, but I liked it. So I grabbed the computer, opened GarageBand, and started putting it together. That’s how it usually goes. GarageBand is so easy, I have been using it for about a year now. I got a guy in Russia I send the tracks to for mixing and mastering. It’s amazing what you can do now on a computer.
Any plans to release a video?
https://youtu.be/vlJffODp720
Any plans to hit the road?
When the world is better, yes! The way things are now, man. Who knows when we will get back to, “normal’.
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
I think if you are genuinely honest and as close to fearless as you can be. I say as close to fearless as you can be because I do think about how people will react. Some of the videos I put on YouTube are borderline embarrassing, I think lol. But if you make something and put that creative energy into it, then second guess it. That seems like a compromise doesn’t it? Compromising your work or art, that’s shameful. I think it’s easier if you are a band. You have those four or five or whatever number of people involved and pushing it, or representing it. But I’m just one guy at this point. It’s like the stand-up comedian. It can be scary.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Cage the Elephant’s last album. Beck.
Who are your biggest influences?
Red Hot Chili Peppers. And anybody in recovery.
Tell us about your passions
Anything that taps into that nerve center. A song, a movie or even a scent. I feel like a time traveler. I mean, I go right back to exactly how I felt when that particular thing was in my life. It can be so powerful. And bring around people with shared common interests and passions. Musicians and family mostly.
What else is happening next in your world?
I’m picking up my new glasses tomorrow…I’m anxious about the election. I got my mail-in ballot yesterday. But I kind of want to vote in person. I want to know that they actually got my vote. And if I see any Trump types there I want to let em have it!! Just don’t approach me, that’s all I’m saying.
And my next single is coming back from mixing/mastering soon. I even get a little political: “Right now I’m lied to by the right-wing/They tell me that he is a king/But right now we could use a leader”.
Thanks for an awesome interview, ronwhitemyer@yahoo.com
Connect with ronwhitemyer@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.whitemyermusic.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitemyerjrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_whitemyer_/Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonaldLaverneLastFM: https://www.last.fm/music/WhitemyerYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC40bBJzmi_aoZQ9mn6jFXQLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-whitemyer-musicSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ronald-whitemyerjrReverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/whitemyer
