by Isaac Davis Junior, BGS, MBA 

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Aryn: I was raised singing in church and come from a very musical family. I began writing songs at age 15 and after writing about 100 mediocre songs I started to really get a handle on the craft and recognize I had a passion. I studied classical voice at Southwestern University and then songwriting and music synthesis at Berklee College of Music. I released 5 or 6 homemade demos on my own, and then released my first pro indie record in 2009. On October 4th, 2011, I released my second indie album, "Last One Standing," which was made possible through crowd-funding. Crowd-funding is the process of fundraising an album, or any project, solely through fan support. I raised $50,000 to record this album via the website SellaBand.com.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

Aryn: I guess I relate to the artists that tend to "do their own thing." I've never been one to pressure myself musically or lyrically to fit into whatever genre is most popular at the moment, or whatever I know will sell. I relate to the artists who seem to be honest about who they are and what they feel, for better or for worse. I think this is why I really like Ben Folds.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Aryn: This is a difficult question to answer because I'm not really even sure what "indie" means anymore. There are so many people making music now without the representation of a major label. However, there are lots of "indie" artists that have record labels and agents and managers and giant tours...so, what's "indie" really mean? Also, I know there are some great unsigned acts out there, but I also know in this culture that we live in, everyone wants to be a famous rockstar...so there's some bad to come with the good of "indie."

Another difficulty I have with this question is the notion that any music "deserves" respect. I once had a teacher who really ingrained in me the idea that a performing artist has nothing if they do not have an audience. In this philosophy, the listener is always right. And so, if you know of music that you feel deserves your respect, then it does!

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Aryn: I wish big record labels and promotion companies (the people with tons of money who can get mainstream radio to play a song 6 times an hour) would stop pandering to a "lowest common denominator" type of audience. I think people would respond to better quality music if it was made available to them. Right now I feel like the majority of mainstream pop music is churned out to make a profit, not to make an artistic impact.

Isaac: Do you think in the near future that DIY artists/bands will be the norm and big record companies will be very limited?

Aryn: I do think DIY artistry will continue to thrive and grow, especially with the advancements in technology, social media and rise of the use of crowd-funding. However, I also believe that people will always figure out a way to make money off of music. I think something will always hover above mainstream music pulling the strings. In the past, it has been record labels, but maybe in the future it will be concert promoters.

Isaac: What type of feedback have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics? 

 

Aryn: People have been giving me very positive feedback about the new album. People tell me they can hear a cross between Imogene Heap and Amy Lee (from Evanescence) and I dig that! Everyone seems to have a different song that's their favorite. That's one of the things that I'm most proud of about this project; there are no "filler" songs. I feel like every song fought its way onto this album and can stand on its own legs. It's really a joy to not have to worry about burying a mediocre song somewhere in the album sequence.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Aryn: Absolutely. Fame and fortune have never been my goal. If those things happen, I would welcome the opportunity to share my music with lots of people, but the point has always been to make good art, to grow as a person and artist, and to share something meaningful and beautiful with anyone who will listen and enjoy. I've done shows for five people, and they loved it, so it's totally worth it. 

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Aryn: I haven't experienced a great deal of negativity thus far in my career, but in the instances I've encountered people who don't really care for my music, I always try to remember that everyone is entitled to their honest opinion because the listener is always right when it comes to what they love. I don't really care for U2 (please don't throw rocks at me!) but millions of people love them. My preference for other styles of music doesn't diminish their quality. And so, in the same way, if someone doesn't prefer my music that's okay. Their opinion is valid for them and it doesn't make me any less valuable at the same time.

Isaac: What part/role does your family and friends play in the equation of your quest of a music career?  

Aryn: A HUGE one! I couldn't have gotten ANYWHERE that I've gotten today without the endless support of family and friends. My parents and their close friends, from the time I was very young starting out, have paid for studio time, driven me to talent contests, supported my decision to major in music in college, tried to connect me to anyone they knew who could be helpful, were the first ones to support my crowd-funding campaigns, and the list goes on and on. Tonight, my dad helped me break down my gear from a show! My family and friends come to my concerts, talked me up on Facebook, and more than that they continue to give me their love, support, prayers, kindness and encouragement that are so crucial for me in order to keep going!

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Aryn: I'd love for people to visit my website arynmichelle.com and sign up for my mailing list! I can also be found at facebook.com/arynmichelleband, twitter.com/aryn_michelle and I have a YouTube channel: youtube.com/arynmichellemusic

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words…..

Aryn: Maybe this is a little cheesy, but here's a little message from one of the songs off the new album...

"Do you remember the moment when you gave up on the passion? Said, "I gotta postpone it, gotta grow up, and be rational." Lately you have discovered there's a reason they call it a deadline. 'Cause you're dying with every passing minute of company time. Do you sacrifice all of your dreams to a paycheck and a pension? If you're feeling the tension that settling brings, listen close: Strike it up, feel the call. Turn it out, risk it all. Find your love, magical. Do it now, strike it up!"