"Punk is an attitude, not just a genre", is the motto of Ragdoll Sunday. Let's have a chat with them!
After returning home from our UK tour, shortened due to the pandemic in 2020, we were very determined in not letting the situation put us off. So, being apart (Marco stuck in Ireland with no possibility of coming to Switzerland), we got really into writing new material instrumentally and just move forward. I think post rona really emulates our state of mind then - it is a positive feeling, almost swing groovy song. Marco only listened to it the first time live some 6 to 8 months after so it pretty impressive how he managed to contribute with some catchy and punchy vocals ideas just using iPhone recordings... in fact, with the exception of "Razors", most of our latest album followed that format - instrumentals writing firstly, vocals secondly as opposed to everyone in the room together. Was different from what we usual did but we are really pleased with the outcome.
- How would you describe your sound?
This is always hard to answer... we have very different but in a way similar musical backgrounds and we draw a lot of inspiration from them. I like to think of like a Venn Diagram where 4 circles intersect, these being - 90's classic grunge (Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana), heavy metal (Metalica, Black Sabbath, Pantera), progressive (Porcupine Tree, Tool, Dream Theatre) and punk-funk (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Faith no More)
- What do you write about?
Instrumentally speaking, we want songs to challenge us in terms of technique and structure - we don't want to follow a template intro - verse - bridge - chorus (although this is sometimes hard to counter) but more let the song tell us where to go. Sometimes we follow a bass line or a guitar melody that pops on the spot, or maybe a drum groove, sometimes we come in with a concept idea and try to mold a song to it. Lyrically, our songs are about issues of the world and modern society, sometimes written in metaphors, sometimes quite figuratively speaking - we always try to add substance to our music, both lyrics and instruments, and not produce generic and uninteresting tunes
- What do you listen to when you are home?
Ragdoll Sunday, obviously... Nah for real now, I guess everyone answers this one with "a bit of everything" - so I'll answer with what I don't really listen to. I don't really abject these styles, but just so happens they don't usually land on my playlist. I will say that generally, if a song sounds good and is interesting, I'll enjoy it regardless of the genre... So, I usually don't really listen to Hip Hop and RAP, Country, Reggae, Reggeaton (ok this one I actually don't really like). Again, if the song feels generic and uninteresting, it doesn't do it for me... What I've been enjoying listening to more recently includes classic jazz like Dave Brubeck Quartet - been trying to get the Take Five drum groove down - modern jazz/fusion like Snarky Puppy - at risk of just flat-out quitting music, these guys are just insane musicians - and metal masters Gojira - their new album "Fortitude" is just amazing - and Michael Romeo "War of the Worlds" - probably the best prog metal album I've heard in the past years..
- Your favourite live performance so far?
When we opened for Skindred in Budapest we got to witness them live at a packed Akvarium - this was crazy. They are already renowned for their top-notch sound and polished live act, especially in big festivals, but in a smaller, closed venue the whole experience is more intense. The way they interact with the crowd and make them part of the show is just one of a kind. We were really honored to be able to share the stage with such icons and hope we get to do so again really soon.
- Tell us a funny story that happened in studio or on stage.
Oh man, there's so many... where to start... We actually have some really cool Vlogs Tour Diaries in our Youtube page from our Mexico and US Tours - if you want funny RS content, you should check these out, I promise they won't disappoint.
Ps. Here's the US Tour episode 1 link https://yo…IjOv_NUPwQ
RAGDOLL SUNDAY TOUR DIARIES: S02E01 - LAS VEGAS BABY!!
In 2018 we were the opening tour support for Otep's 'Fire & Fury' US tour, along with Dropout Kings. It was the first time we'd been to the US & frankly, it...
- Your favourite albums?
Top 3 are: 1. War of the Worlds - Michael Romeo 2. Red Bull Symphonic - Camo & Krooked 3. Fear Inoculum - Tool
- A musician you would like to meet for a beer?
Gavin Harrison and/or Mike Mangini - these dudes are of course notorious drummers and so very different in their styles, but both in my view have this humbleness to their character, derivative of their love for music and their craft - they seem to me that they care much of what others think despite being 2 of the best players in the biz. they know they are top of the top but they chose not to be dicks and simply share their skills through good music, nice insights in interviews and teaching online
- What would you ask for backstage, if you were the most important band on earth?
I like to think I'm a simple, easy to please, person... Throw some good food in there, space for a practice pad set up, showers, a midget mud wrestling ring, and that's pretty much it
- What are your plans for the near future?
We have just released our Album "And Now, We Grieve" and we are super pleased that it is starting to gain traction - we are now looking at a tour in 2022 in support of the album and have some concerts already lined up. As for new stuff, we are actually cooking something very cool which will be a first for us - I don't want to give too much away but two words: rock opera.
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Interviews