I Am Ghost
Interview with drummer Ryan Seaman by Beverly Albright
S&S: Who inspired you to be a musician? What musicians or bands
do you look up to the most?
Ryan: I would have to say that my dad had a big role as far as inspiring
me. He showed me a bunch of The Beatles movies and music. I feel that the
people that inspire my musical tastes or ambitions would be the people that
are close to me or that I can relate to. Right now, I'm listening to Maxeen,
The Bronx, Refused,The Exit, Cave In, Glassjaw, Mute Math, Muse, and the
new A Static Lullaby. It's legit.
S&S: What would you say are some of the musical influences
behind I Am Ghost?
Ryan: That's a really hard question, because we all have such different
musical backgrounds that I feel that whatever everyone brings to the table,
it just turns into our new "style" of music. We could never label our selves.
But I'd say we are outfitted by metal/goth/punk bands that have not tried
what we are doing now, followed by a classical element.
S&S: How does it feel to be compared to bands such as AFI,
HIM and My Chemical Romance?
Ryan: I think that we sound bothing like any of those bands, and
you'd have to be deaf to think so. We like those bands, we know those bands,
but I don't think we should be compared to them. Maybe our style of dressing,
but our music is our own creation.
S&S: What are your thoughts on the debut of your album "Lover's
Requiem?"
Ryan: I think it was a really long and hard process, but the results
that came out in the end were amazing. I never thought I'd ever see the
day where my music would be released to the mass public. So, for this, I
feel very lucky and confident that people will like this album, and that
I have gotten an opportunity to make something special for everyone. Thanks
to everyone for their support.
S&S: Is there a song off of the new album or the old EP that
is your favorite or that holds a special place with you?
Ryan: I'd say that "Of Masques And Martyrs" would be, because
when I joined the band, that was the first song we all wrote together. Timmy
and I came into practice one day with a riff, and from there the song was
just put together. It was a start of the writing process for our band.
S&S: How did it feel to be one of AP Magazine's 100 Bands to
Know in 2006?
Ryan: I think that's a lot to live up to and I think it was awesome!
AP has been so supportive of our band despite some of our reviews. The magazine
loves us and we love them.
S&S: Do you think it's important for bands to have close or strong
connections with their fans?
Ryan: Absolutely! Without the fans, you have no band. I know when
I was growing up, I needed something to relate to, and I think that punk
rock music and the scene in my city (Salt Lake City) really made me want
to reach for my dreams. So, I can thank all the bands that have ever affected
me for doing so. So, by talking to bands and becoming friends with them
was amazing for me. Hopefully, someone will have the same experience as
I did.
S&S: What sort of things do you do to prepare yourself for a show?
Ryan: Usually, I'll set up all my stuff when I get to the venue,
walk around a bit and get to know the place. Right before I go on stage,
I warm up for about 15 minutes with these warm up sticks called Cadence
Academy sticks. They're amazing! Then, I stretch, and then boom, the show.
S&S: If you have one, what is your favorite venue to play at?
Ryan: I would say the Troubadour in Hollywood CA. That venue has
a lot of histor,y and I feel in a way that it has history for me as well.
I've played there about 5 times now in various bands. It's kinda where I
started when I moved to L.A. and it's always had great shows and great sound.
I always get excited and feel warm inside before I play there.
S&S: Say you are given the opportunity to choose the bands you could
tour with. Who would you pick?
Ryan: If I could choose any band, any band at all, and it didn't
matter, I'd say any band that would teach me a thing or two. Touring with
Muse would be pretty sweet. Bleeding Through would be awesome because they
shred metal style. Actually, we're going to be touring with this amazing
band called The Bronx. I'd say they're the modern day Refused. Check them
out. So, that's awesome that we get to tour with a band that I respect so
much.
S&S: What advice would you give artists or musicians who are just starting
out?
Ryan: Get tight on your instrument, know your instrument, and make
sure you pick the right people musically and mentally. Once you think you're
ready, promote the hell out of your band, until you can't even breathe.
Always work hard, and the rewards in the end are nothing but priceless.
S&S: Finally, what can we expect from I Am Ghost in the future?
Ryan: Lots and lots of touring. Lots of it.