“You Talkin’ to Me?” – Ridzyray

Ridzyray is an all-encompassing artist who writes and self-produces all of his own music. He has become renowned in and around the industry for his fresh eclectic style fusion in his music as well as his insatiable positivity.

Name: Ridzyray

In less than 50 words describe your music and yourself.
I’m just a black fella from country Victoria who makes music and has been lucky enough to have been in some good places at the right time and lucky enough to have met some really great people. Best compliment I’d say I got on the music is that it’s timeless.

What was the first rock/pop concert you attended?
Far out I don’t think I’ve ever been to one, always been too broke to afford a ticket or too anxious to go by myself.

Punk or Goth Music:
Punk all day, I was born in the 90’s grew up on Blink 182.

Who are you excited about, music wise, at the moment?
Inkabee gets me pretty G’d up aye, the futures looking bright.

The best live artist/band you’ve seen:
Fred Leonie, the buddah boy has the best shake a leg I’ve ever seen, hands down.

What are you currently reading?
Culture Is Life, by Wayne Quilliam.

Your favourite Sunday morning chill out record?
Sweet Symphony by Joy Oladokun.

Which song do you wish you had written?
Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Author Manuel Puig said “I’m not terribly happy about rock and roll. Rock music is uninspiring, numbing; it makes you feel like an idiot.” Discuss.
There won’t be any discussions. I want to fight this man.

Vinyl, Cassette, CD, mp3 or Streaming?
As long as I get to kick back and zone out the stress of the world, I’ll take music in any form. But the homie ACP did play me some vinyls. I can’t lie It was cool.

If you could hang out with any music artist, in a bar one afternoon, who would it be?
If they were alive, Amy Winehouse for sure. music artist alive today maybe Post Malone I think he’d be good vibes and a grouse drinking buddy.

What is your worst habit?
I’ll keep it real and just say I’ve got no good habits. I’m working on it though.

How often do you look at your mobile phone?
Either I’m on it way too often or I want nothing to do with it and when I finally look at it again, I’ve missed out on all the cool stuff and have way too many things to add to my to-do list

Any good backstage stories?
I met Anderson Paak and the Free Nationals at Falls one year in the VIP tent had some drinks n spun some yarns with them, super chill dudes really good blokes. But all the peeps I was with were like “wtf you doing over there with a bunch of randoms ya tripper” took them a min to realise who they were then they dashed over for some pics and stuff.

An alien lands on Earth and wants to know what Rock and roll sounds like. What song do you play it?
You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC.

Favourite all time TV show:
One Piece (Japanese Anime).

What is your specialty in the kitchen?
I cook a mean spaghetti Bolognese.

With whom would you like to record a song with?
Any and all Indigenous artists in Australia if it were possible.

You have tickets to see The Killers and Bruce Springsteen but they are on the same night. Which one do you attend?
You can call me, Mr Brightside.

Where do you hope to be in 12 months?
Still on earth, happier, stronger, healthier and wiser than I am today.

Whether dropping bop after bop or wowing with slick delivery and compelling wordplay, Ridzyray’s latest single release, Keep Ya Head Up is part of Singing Our Futures, the vision of beloved song man and storyteller Archie Roach, is a gleaming extension of Ridzyray’s own creative and personal journey to date.
As Ridzy elaborates, “For me, Uncle Archie Roach stands as a symbol of what is possible for indigenous artists, he’s paved the way for so many of us, and I’m honoured to be mentioned in the same sentence. I was always playing sport and was sure that would be what I’d end up doing but injuries led to mental health issues which led to addictions and substance abuse and the only way out of that hole for me seemed to be music. I’m just doing what brings me joy, I feel very, very lucky.”

Keep Ya Head Up is out now.

Singing Our Futures Vol.1 E.P is out now

Interview by Geoff Jenke

Connect with Ridzyray
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