Living it up indie style has been Ryan Holiday’s trademark for the past couple of years. An experimental musician with a fearless tenacity for new sounds, Holiday has released a new demo titled Happiness? with the help of new bandmates. The songs are at times obscure reminders of the new wave synth-age pop rock era. But amidst the static, there’s melody.
Holiday left the up-and-coming group In-Between Blue to pursue his own project. He has performed at various North Jersey venues and on Sept. 14 he will take the stage at Maxwell’s in Hoboken at 9 p.m.
We recently caught up with Holiday:
EM – Where are you from?
RH – I’m originally from Germany, but now people tend to think I’m from space. Is Rutherford close to space?
EM – Who are your influences?
RH – Anything from Bowie to Queen to Missy Elliott to Einsturzende Neubauten. I love music, period. And I absorb whatever is genuine and moving.
EM – Why did you become a musician?
RH – Chicks. I’m all about hoochie.
EM – Where have you performed?
RH – The standard local joints any up-and-comer plays: The Loop, Uncle Joe’s, the Whiskey Bar (Sept. 10), and this band is only a few months old. My last band, In-Between Blue played CBGBs, Maxwell’s, Shine, Arlene’s Grocery, and other places up and down the East Coast.
EM – What is your favorite day of the week?
RH – Trash day, so I suppose it would be Tuesday. It’s a good day to find new furniture.
EM – What are the last three CDs you bought?
RH – Die Reklamation by a German band called Wir Sind Helden; Hail to the Thief by Radiohead; and the new disc from Goldfrapp.
EM – How would you describe your music?
RH – A combination of many influences: Bjork, Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Prince, Timbaland, Massive Attack…all thrown into a pot and stirred.
EM – Are you looking for mainstream exposure?
RH – Well sure, why not? I don’t necessarily think broad appeal is a bad thing. I think any musician wants his stuff to be heard by as many people as possible.
EM – What professional plans do you have for the future?
RH – To make a living from music so I can quit my crappy day job.
EM – What is the best part about your job?
RH – There is nothing good about my day job, except for some of the people I work with. As far as the music career goes, it is who I am. It’s beyond analysis.
Ryan Holiday will perform at Maxwell’s at 1039 Washington St. in Hoboken on Sept. 14 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $6. He will be joined by Dressy Bessy. For information visit www.ryanholiday.com or call (201) 653-1703. q