The Songwriter Interviews section of The Table Read Magazine offers an intimate look into the hearts and minds of songwriters who craft the melodies and lyrics that resonate with audiences. Through engaging conversations, this category explores their creative processes, inspirations, and the stories behind their songs, providing readers with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the art of songwriting.
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter and musician Reuben Reuel shares the inspiration behind his new single, Surreal, on our YouTube Series.
Songwriter and musician Reuben Reuel shares the inspiration behind his new single, Surreal, taken from his latest project, Odyssey, and what he loves about writing songs, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter and musician Ryan Terrigno shares the inspiration behind his new single, Stare At The Sun, and his creative process.
I interviewed Ryan Terrigno about his life and career, his passion for music, and the inspiration behind his new single, Stare At The Sun.
Ryan Terrigno
Tell me a bit about who you are.
My name is Ryan Terrigno – I am an indie singer-songwriter from Anaheim, CA – five minutes down the road from Disneyland. A musician since 13, songwriter since 16 – I spent the first 12 years of my career fronting local Orange County rock bands Wester and We Are The Arsenal. On the strength of 2 full-length albums and 4 E.P.s, I toured across the U.S. and Japan with stops on the Vans Warped Tour, and opening slots for Lit, Angels & Airwaves, Senses Fail, Hawthorne Heights & many more.
When the last of my bands went their separate ways in 2013, I came to that age-old fork in the road and had to decide between continuing down the uncertain path of music, or earning a living for my wife & I. So, for the next 10 years, I focused on my professional career – which left a gap in my musical resume – but I never lost that spark. I never stopped writing songs. I always knew I would find my way back to music eventually.
In July of 2022, that’s exactly what I did. I gathered up the best songs I had and entered the studio to record my debut album as a solo artist, “Alive & Well”. It’s largely a singer-songwriter record, but definitely pays homage to my alternative, pop/rock roots as a young man who absorbed all of the incredible music in the late 90’s / early 2000s. The album comes out October 27th, 2023 and I couldn’t be more excited to be releasing new songs and actively pursuing my career in music once again.
When did you first WANT to write songs?
I’ve been in love with melody and good lyrics for as long as I can remember. When I first started playing guitar, I didn’t originally think I would become a songwriter, I just wanted to learn how to play the songs I liked. That said, I knew I had a lot of admiration for the artists I loved who COULD write them – so, my dream of one day writing my own songs started early, even though I didn’t actually start for a few years.
When did you take a step to start writing songs?
When I was 16, I had a garageband with some friends. We strictly played cover songs at parties (Green Day, Blink 182, MxPx, etc). After we’d been doing that for several months, I accidentally started scribbling down some lyrics in my notebook during class one day. I took the words home and played around with some power chords on my guitar until I had my first song – then I just had to convince my band to learn it!
What was your first song released, and what was it about?
The first song I released upon my return to actively pursuing music in May of 2023 is called “Get Lost”. I knew I had to come out of the gates swinging since it had been several years since I had officially released any music. “Get Lost” is an indie-pop anthem with heartfelt, acoustic verses and huge stomp-clap choruses. It’s a song about love & mortality. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but one day we’ll lose the people we love and may have to live out some days without them. I wrote this song for my wife.
What was your latest song released, and what was it about?
The most recent song I officially released was the 3rd single from my forthcoming full-length album. “Stare At The Sun” came out on August 18th, 2023 and is a heartbreaking dedication to a family member I lost back in 2016. It’s a catchy/vibey tune, set to the backdrop of a late 90’s / early 2000’s pop-rock song.
Focusing on your latest song. What were your biggest challenges with Stare At The Sun?
Ryan Terrigno
The biggest challenge with writing & recording “Stare At The Sun” was definitely mustering the courage to tell a very difficult story so matter-of-factly, and set it to music that would make someone want to sing along. The subject of the story was a very close member of the family, so there are sensitivities that had to be considered.
How many songs are you working on right now?
My 10-song full length album was in late October, but I’m already working on some new songs that will likely come out as part of an EP in early 2024. I have 3 new songs written so far.
Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?
The themes I write about are nothing special or overly unique – just life, love, mortality, work, death, and everything in between. Something I try to do with these basic, universal topics is offer a raw and unfiltered perspective that pertains to something in my own life. I find that if I can make myself uncomfortable with a lyric I’ve written, I’ve likely uncovered the emotional core of the song. If I get emotional over something I’ve written, I can move forard with some confidence that it will have an emotional impact on someone else too.
What is your favourite song you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?
My favorite song from my new album is the opening, title track, called “Alive & Well”. It was the very last song I wrote for the album, but quickly became one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. It’s a simple acoustic song, accompanied by some piano and pedal steel. The lyrics are sweet and honest, and the whole song elicits a sense of nostalgia from start to finish.
Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?
I am absolutely inspired by other artists’ music. If I’m awake, I’m typically listening to music and I’m always looking for new artists to fall in love with. I’ll often get very emotional when a song moves me – and I’ll even get discouraged wondering if I’ll EVER be able to write something as good as what someone else did.
Some of my biggest inspirations as a songwriter are: Ruston Kelly, Noah Gundersen, Alex Dezen, Andrew McMahon, Ben Gibbard, Carter Hulsey, Tom Petty, Noel Gallagher, and John Mayer.
Do you write your own music, or do you have musicians you work with?
All of the songs on my forthcoming full-length album were written by me, with some co-writing by my wonderful producer, Alex Dezen. He helped out with a lot of the instrumentation in the studio, and helped me enlist the help of some other world-class musicians who elevated my sound in ways I could have only dreamed of. On the piano, we had Zac Clark who is a phenomenal piano player and songwriter. He also plays with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, who has been a major influence on me for years – so, it was truly a dream come true to have him on the album. I also had a pedal steel player named Rich Hinman who brought a whole new emotional layer to a couple of the songs. He’s played with some major artists like Sara Bareilles and Maren Morris. And lastly, a fantastic drummer named Brian Griffin played on one of the songs – he spends most of his time touring with The Black Crowes and Richard Marx.
Do you play any instruments?
Ryan Terrigno
Yes – guitar was my first instrument when I was 13, and continues to be my instrument of choice when writing my songs – acoustic, specifically. I’ve been playing guitar for over 25 years now.
Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?
I absolutely love playing live – it doesn’t scare me at all. In fact, the stage is probably the place where I feel the most natural and myself. I haven’t gotten to do it as much lately with my solo music, but that will change very quickly with my album almost out. I played hundreds of shows with my bands in the past, and I remember like it was yesterday. You never forget that feeling. It’s absolutely electric and nothing can match that adrenaline rush. I’ll be playing a record release show for my new album in Los Angeles, CA in November, and I’m very excited to get back to the stage and perform these songs for a crowd.
Is your music available online, and where can people listen to it?
Yes – I have several singles available NOW for streaming on Spotify & Apple Music.
Are you able to make music full time, or do you have a day job?
I do not currently make music full-time. I have a day job as a software product manager for a tech startup. The interesting part about this, is that I didn’t go to school for this career – I developed most of the skills that landed the job by managing my rock bands for so many years. While I’m very proud I’ve been able to thrive on this career path – I still feel as though I’ve been working day after day, year after year simply to find my way back to music as a full time venture.
Are your friends and family supportive of your music career?
Yes – my wife supported me through both of my rock bands long before she was ever my wife, and she continues to be my biggest fan still. The rest of my friends & family are supportive in the sense that they really appreciate that I’m still following my passion after all these years.
What’s something you never expected about being a songwriter? What have you learned that surprised you?
Something I definitely didn’t expect when I started down the path of writing songs is just how much it would consume me. I’m not the kind of guy that’s taking mental pictures and jotting down mental notes for future song ideas as I go through my day-to-day life, but I’m ALWAYS thinking about songwriting. It’s my favorite thing in the world, and the place where I truly lose myself in a spiritual sense – so I’m always looking forward to the next time I get to sit down with my guitar and write. If I’m on an airplane and we hit some turbulence, my first thoughts are “I’m gonna miss my dog” and “I’ve got so many more songs left to write.”
Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your songs?
The experience that stands out most is my first band’s Japanese Tour back in 2005. I was barely old enough to drink, but here I was traveling across the world with my rock band to go play some songs that I wrote in my bedroom for sold-out crowds every night. When I think back on this adventure, it still doesn’t seem real – almost 20 years later.
Ryan Terrigno
Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?
I have a single called “Supernova”.
My debut full-length album came out October 27th
I’ll be performing a record release show in Los Angeles, CA on November 18th, 2023
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write songs?
You don’t need to be a virtuoso musician to write a song – your instrument of choice is simply the vehicle to get your words and melody out into the universe. Whether it’s guitar, piano, or something else entirely – just put in the time. Dedicate real time to your writing. It won’t all be good. In fact, it SHOULDN’T all be good. You need to get some of the bad stuff out to make way for the brilliant stuff. Songwriting truly has no rules, but only one simple guideline – honesty. Write honestly. Don’t be afraid to say something or write about a topic if it’s meaningful to your life. Write about it even if it hurts – in fact, write about it ESPECIALLY if it hurts. If you can feel it, others will too.
And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Writing and recording my forthcoming full-length album “Alive & Well” was one of the most prolific and creative periods of my musical career. I feel like I evolved as a songwriter more in this time than any other. I’m extremely proud of the songs on this album and I truly cannot wait for people to hear them. It was worth every ounce of effort.
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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, Tony Rumble of the band Arktik Lake shares the inspiration behind their new single, Bright Sunny Days, and their creative process.
I interviewed Tony Rumble about his band Arktik Lake, the creative work that goes into their music, and the inspiration behind their new single, Bright Sunny Days.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
My name is Tony Rumble, and my band is Arktik Lake. Arktik Lake was formed in 2020 and comprises Marty Willson-Piper (ex The Church, All About Eve, The Saints), myself, Nigel Macara (Tamam Shud, ex Air Supply) on drums, DC on bass, and Olivia Willson-Piper on strings and BV. Marty sings and handles lead guitar duties, and co writes some of the tracks with me. I write the lyrics and most of the music, and play lead and rhythm electric and acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars.
Marty Willson-Piper and Tony Rumble of Arktik Lake, Photo Credit: Gavin Little
We are heavily influenced by shoegaze and dreampop/psychedelic pop, with a love of jangle pop (Rickenbacker guitars esp). Marty is recognized as one of the pre-emiment Rickenbacker 12 string players globally, featuring in Tony Bacon’s Rickenbacker 12 string book (page 96-97, 99) and at Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickenbacker_360/12
When did you first WANT to write songs?
I have always wanted to write songs, with some early versions of one of the tracks on our 1st EP (Shimmer) being written in the early 2000’s
When did you take a step to start writing songs?
I hooked up with Marty in 2019 and the rest is history. We mainly collaborate online, as Marty lives in Portugal and I am based in Sydney. That works amazingly well (file sharing is a great thing) and we catch up in person to record.
What was your first song released, and what was it about?
The 1st single we released was “Promises” off our 1st EP, “Shimmer” which was released on vinyl and to all major streaming platforms in 2021. It was about the trauma of the break up of my marriage to my long term wife, and the lies and deceit that accompanied that break up.
What was your latest song released, and what was it about?
We released “Bright Sunny Days” as the 1st single off our forthcoming album “Ghosthound” on 1 September 2023. It is a modern-day love song with a twist, featuring lush guitars and violins which morph into flamboyant Spanish guitar and then a soaring rush of electric guitars. Written in the middle of summer on the white sands of Jervis Bay, Australia (the whitest sandy beach in the world, at least that is what the locals claim) – Bright Sunny Days will transport you to a time of magic, love and mystery.
Focusing on your latest song. What were your biggest challenges with Bright Sunny Days?
It all fell into place quite easily actually – we knew we had something interesting right from the demo stage. As we came to record the track, Marty was inspired by some of the classic “Prog Rock” classics of the ‘70s, (and even Gerry Rafferty’s classic 1978 hit “Baker Street”) to include Spanish guitar morphing into soaring lead guitars.
Bright Sunny Days by Arktik Lake
The final piece of the puzzle was picking up a 1961 Gretsch “Chet Atkins” in the studio – its bright but kinda thin tone gave some beautiful plaintive character to what in some ways is a whistful song – despite the underlying happiness of a love song.
How many songs are you working on right now?
Never stop writing and recording demo’s! We have 6 new tracks at finished demo stage, with more en route as the basis for our 2nd album (but lets get the 1st album Ghosthound on the road first)!
Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?
We often laugh that even if we try to create a specific sound or emulate a favourite artist – the new track always comes out sounding like something else. Obviously we are heavily influenced by our favourite artists, but we find the best way to write is to allow the song to suggest where it wants to go, and the follow our muse as that journey happens. That being said, my bandmates often say that my writing style is kinda breezy and summery – no doubt because I live maybe ½ a mile from one of the most amazing beaches in the world.
What is your favourite song you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?
That’s a hard one but I think my fave track recorded to date is “Honey Dripping” from our forthcoming album “Ghosthound” – it harks back to the holiday at Jervis Bay where “Bright Sunny Days” was written. After we had spent almost a full day on the sand, we walked through an ancient forest of huge native Eucalypt trees – looking up to their crowns as we walked through the forest was an out of body experience, which found its way into the almost trippy feel of “Honey Dripping.” What we try to do is to allow the song to build as it travels out to its conclusion – letting the build take the listener on a journey (like all good shoegaze and psychedelic pop should do). And oh,yeh – did I mention that it ROCKS?!
Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?
Most definitely, I don’t ever stop listening to music, old and new. For the album “Ghosthound” I was listening at the time of initial writing, to “Goatshead Soup” by the Rolling Stones. Some amazingly crafted and played on songs there, for sure! Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Buffalo Springfield, The Church are all inspirations, and right now I seem to be on a glam rock trip with lots of early Bowie and Mick Ronson…inspired by watching Brett Morgen’s “Moonage Daydream” movie. On my turntable at the moment are some of the newer records from RIDE, as well as a young up and coming Aussie band, the Moving Stills.
Do you write your own music, or do you have musicians you work with?
Arktik Lake Photo Credit: Gavin Little
I write all my music, with collaboration with Marty Willson-Piper on some tracks.
Do you play any instruments?
I play the guitar and some keys. I am a luthier as well and most of the guitars I play and record with were built by me.
Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?
There is nothing better than playing live and seeing the audience go crazy to the music! We aim to play some shows in Australia in 2024 to launch the new album “Ghosthound.” Hoping to film that concert so our international fans can check out the live show.
Is your music available online, and where can people listen to it?
Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, etc
Are you able to make music full time, or do you have day job?
Yeh, still “working for the man” but pretty much music is my main gig in life right now.
Are your friends and family supportive of your music career?
Marty Willson-Piper Photo Credit: Gavin Little
Absolutely!
What’s something you never expected about being a songwriter? What have you learned that surprised you?
The biggest initial surprise is that I can do it! Key changes and melodies seem to come quite easily to me. The real surprise though is seeing how by immersing in the process, the creative muse can spread its wings and take the song somewhere radically different to where it may have started.
Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your songs?
Playing and recording with Marty and Nigel has been an amazing experience…Nigel has played at the best places around, like Madison Square Garden…Marty was signed by Clive Davis, has recorded nearly 90 albums and has worked with people like David Gilmour and Tom Verlaine. What an experience!
Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?
Getting ready to release 2 more singles early next year and then around Easter, followed by the album launch shortly after that.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write songs?
Learn how to use Garage Band or another one of the recording softwares out there.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Listening to one of my songs being played on the radio is an amazing experience – the amount of effort involved is WAY more than people would think – and yes, it is definitely worth it!
Pop all your music, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter and mental health podcaster Destiny Malibu shares the inspiration behind her new single, Say My Name, on our YouTube series.
Songwriter and podcaster Destiny Malibu shares how her own mental health experiences inspired her to write her new single, Say My Name, and what she loves about writing songs.
Donate to support The Table Read Magazine
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter Bill Edwards shares what inspired his new single, The Far Side Of Lonely, on our YouTube Series.
Americana musician Bill Edwards shares the inspiration behind his new single, The Far Side Of Lonely, and what he loves about writing songs on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, Americana band Adams & Costello share the inspiration behind their new album, One By One, on our YouTube series.
Adams & Costello share the inspiration behind their new album, One By One, what they love about writing songs, and their advice for other songwriters, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter and music producer Scott Fisher shares the inspiration behind his new single, Still The Same, on our YouTube series.
Musician and producer Scott Fisher talks about the inspiration behind his new single, Still The Same, what he loves about writing songs, and the advice he has for other songwriters.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, country artist Tommy Karlas shares the inspiration behind his new single, Living Room, on our YouTube Series.
Country artist Tommy Karlas shares details of his songwriting career, the inspiration behind his new track, Living Room, and what he loves about writing songs, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter David Raybuck talks about how Psalm 94 inspired his new single, God Of Vengeance, on our YouTube Series.
Songwriter and musician David Raybuck talks about being inspired by Psalm 94 and victims of child abuse to write his new single, God Of Vengeance, and the advice he has for other songwriters.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter Gary Patrick talks about the inspiration behind his new single, High To Ride, on our YouTube series.
Songwriter Gary Patrick shares the inspiration behind his new single, High To Ride, what he loves about writing songs, and the advice he has for others on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
Donate to support The Table Read Magazine
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter Kayley Bishop shares the inspiration behind her song for single mums, Empty Parts, on our YouTube Series.
Songwriter Kayley Bishop talks about the inspiration behind her song for single mums, Empty Parts, and what she loves about writing songs, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter Salli Edwards shares the inspiration behind her new single, Stars And Snowflakes, on The Table Read Magazine.
Musician Salli Edwards shares what inspired her to write her new single, Stars And Snowflakes, what she loves about writing songs, and her advice for other songwriters, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
Donate to support The Table Read Magazine
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter Sarah Burton shares the inspiration behind her new long distance love song, I Hate Goodbyes, on our YouTube Series.
Sarah Burton shares how a long distance love inspired her new single, I Hate Goodbyes, and her advice for other songwriters on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, The Impliers share the inspiration behind their new single, Love At First Sight, on our YouTube Series.
The Impliers share the inspiration behind their new single, Love At First Sight, what they love about writing songs, and their advice for others, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
Donate to support The Table Read Magazine
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, songwriter Wendy Dale Young shares how her love of animals inspired her to write her new single, Unconditional Love, on our YouTube Series.
Wendy Dale Young talks about her life and career, being inspired by her love of animals to write her new single, Unconditional Love, and her advice for others, on the Siren Stories YouTube Channel.
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We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Written by JJ Barnes
Written by JJ Barnes
