In a world where we have so many distractions, we sometimes forget to just slow down. Ron Pope’s music seems to make us want winter to come faster, give us a blanket and fire to curl around as we finally start to learn to relax. Whether it’s singing soaring “woahs” in his latest single Lick My Wounds, or the beautiful lyrics in Brooklyn, there’s something very comforting and admirable about Ron Pope. We’re very pleased to have interviewed such an outstanding artist, so take a look as AMBY spoke with Ron about music he loves, Lick My Wounds, sentimental lyrics, and underwear!
AMBY: Hello Ron, thanks for chatting with AMBY! What have you been up to lately?
Ron Pope: Glad to be chatting with y’all! I was on tour in Europe in June, and we just finished work on my brand new album a few weeks ago. Other than that, I’ve been going to lots of weddings…it seems everyone I know is getting married this year!
AMBY: How would you describe your sound to those unfamiliar with your music?
Ron Pope: I always just tell people to listen and develop their own opinion. Describing music with words is always challenging and not usually all that useful.
AMBY: You have a great discography! Which three songs are the quintessential Ron Pope?
Ron Pope: Thanks a lot. That’s a tough one; I’ve put out so much music and my sound has evolved so much over the years. I’m going to pick three albums rather than three songs. I’d say “Daylight” to show the earlier, rootsier part of my career, “Atlanta” to show where I went from there, and then, my as yet unreleased new album, because that’s where my head’s at right now, which is in a completely different universe than anything people have heard from me to date.
AMBY: Your single Lick My Wounds came out on August 6th. It’s one of the freshest (and funkiest) songs we’ve heard all year! What’s it about?
Ron Pope: Thanks! My new album follows a relationship between two people from the first moment they see each other on through the last. “Lick My Wounds” is about the very first instant that they see each other. To get the whole story, it takes forty seven minutes and eleven songs.
AMBY: Many of your lyrics are very sentimental and relatable, but which Ron Pope lyric is your favourite?
Ron Pope: At the moment, I’d say the song “Atlanta.” I love that story and am proud to have written it. “If I can make it there, I’ll see you on the other side…;” that’s my favorite part.
AMBY: What is the best best piece of advice you have been given regarding the music industry?
Ron Pope: Be willing to work hard all day, every day. If it was easy, everybody would be a rockstar.
AMBY: What’s the funniest thing to happen to you at a gig?
Ron Pope: Someone I play music with, who shall remain nameless, once crapped his pants about three minutes before we had to go on stage. He then had to run around trying to find new pants and underwear. At the time, it did not seem funny, but looking back, it’s hilarious.
AMBY: If you could hang out with any of your influences for a day, who would you be with and what would you do?
Ron Pope: I’d love to stop by and hang out in Woodstock with The Band in 1967 when they were working on the tunes that would become “Music From Big Pink.” I’d want to have a drink with Richard, and just shoot the breeze with those guys and hear them play when they were all young lions, at the peak of their powers before money and fame destroyed their bond.
AMBY: Which bands or artists have you been listening to lately?
Ron Pope: I dig Bastille a lot. The last year, I’ve been listening to a ton of Pink Floyd. Maybe that’s why I just made a concept album?
AMBY: What’s the best song of 2013?
Ron Pope: Probably “Pompeii” by Bastille. I’ve been rocking to that one all year.
AMBY: And lastly, what’s something about Ron Pope that nobody knows yet?
Ron Pope: I did this interview without pants on. Annnnnnnd I’m out!
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Thank you Ron Pope, for giving us your answers!
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Cedric Casimier and Alicia Atout