AN AFTERNOON IN VENICE WITH ROY ENGLISH
Q+A BY DIANE ABAPO
There’s a calmness to Roy English that is a bit contagious. I asked to meet the singer-songwriter on the corner of Venice and Abbot Kinney Blvd. I barely had a chance to place my camera bag on the ground, accompanied by our Senior Writer Nick, when I got a phone call from a liquid honey-soft voice. It was English. “I think I see you.” I turned to my right and there he was, in a loose black hooded shirt and baggy pants and scuffed boots. With a hot drink in hand, we hugged each other and proceeded down Abbot Kinney. The sun was about to set and after a few seconds, it felt like I was just meeting with a friend that I hadn’t seen in a few months. We started chatting about where we grew up, realizing we both frequented Orange County a lot. We bonded over the laid-back vibe of being home, mentioning Newport Beach as a common local spot for the both of us.
Q: Hey, English. Huge fan of your music – First heard you on our friend VerBS’ track, “Seasons”. How did that collaboration come about?
A: Thank you. I’ve known VerBS for a number of years, and we’ve done a few songs together in the past. The original version of that record was just one verse then the chorus and then it ended. When I heard that, I thought, man this needs to be a full song! So I wrote another verse to it and tacked on a couple little extra things and “Seasons” was born. He did such a good job painting a picture of the life stage we’re both in. The two of us come from very different backgrounds, but it’s that constant growth and change and looking at every situation in a positive light that brings us together. It’s all a part of truly living, and it’s all part of the journey.
Q: Where are you originally from since I know you mentioned you go back and forth from Orange County to Los Angeles like myself a lot-
A: When I was younger, I lived in Santa Ana in a not too great part of town. Our house got broken into twice and cars got broken into I don’t even know how many times. When I got older, my family moved to the city of Orange and that’s where I spent most of my years.
Q: Where is your favorite spot to feel ‘suspended’?
A: As I’m typing this, I’m watching the sun fade into the ocean on a roof looking over Venice Beach, Calif. Time has stopped.
Q: You once sent out a tweet telling your fans you’d be playing your guitar at a pier – What happened as a result of that and what did that sensation of seeing your fans gathered around you feel like?
A: I originally sent out a tweet a couple days after Fearlove dropped that said I was going to be at the Balboa Pier at 10pm. I’d be bringing a couple of acoustic guitars, playing some songs and was just going to be hanging out. I thought maybe 5 or 10 people would show up and it would just be this intimate thing for a couple loyal fans. When I arrived, there was this huge group of people waiting at the end of the pier! Of course it happened to be on the coldest night of the year, but it was such an amazing experience. Everyone was singing along to all the new songs, and I was blown away. I was also able to take time to talk to some of the people individually after and hear their stories. It still amazes me how people who are given a platform or a voice – however large or small – take that for granted so often. Even though I still can’t fully comprehend it, you can literally change lives.
Q: Nowadays musicians can reach a wider audience thanks to social networks and online media. What’s your take on the route technology has provided as a means to push artists’ music ?
A: It’s like everything: there are positives and negatives and in the end it all pretty much balances out. It’s always going to be changing and evolving. If you have something that people want, it will eventually make its way to the top.
Q: Where was your favorite show?
A: I think my favorite show was at House of Blues, Anaheim in June of 2010 backed by The Aleutian Orchestra. The feeling of a sold out show with a full orchestra behind you is unreal. I always love playing NY though. The kids over there are great. I’ve been in the studio for almost two years now, and I can’t wait to start playing again when it’s right.
Q: What’s the last tender moment you can remember in its entirety?
A: Interesting question. I probably wouldn’t have answered this a year ago, but a lot has changed since then. Someone who is very close to me had recently learned they were going to be moving across the country. It’s hard when you have something with a person that you don’t have with anybody else. It’s like they are a part of you, and when that part leaves it’s almost like a part of you is missing. I remember sitting by the fireplace together at my house in silence listening to the rainfall. We didn’t have to say anything. It was enough to just be there in that moment and be thankful.
Q: Do you find yourself writing songs with the lyrics first in mind or with a melody that you conjure up?
A: It always depends. Lyrics and melody usually just come together. Sometimes I’ll do all the music then turn on the mic, hit record, and go in on the song. Other times I’ll sit by the fire with just an acoustic guitar and craft each word.
Q: What matters to you most as a singer and songwriter?
A: What matters to me most is surrounding myself with people who will push me to be better. A lot of artists get too comfortable or have too many “Yes” people around and eventually fade. It’s important for me to always be learning and progressing in my music and as a person. That aspect is one of the reasons the whole Canary Dynasty team is so important to have.
Q: If you could have dinner with any music legend, who would it be and why? What would you eat? What would you say?
A: That’s tough. I would probably sit down at a burger joint with Bono from U2. Music has always been bigger than music for me and I think he would probably have some good insight on that.
CREDITS
INTERVIEW/PHOTOGRAPHS BY Diane Abapo
ASSISTANT Nicholas Mansouri
LOCATION Venice, Calif.
WARDROBE Artist’s own
JEWELRY Handcrafted men’s jewelry in junction with Canary Dynasty and Henry Designs, NY
www.theroyenglish.com
www.canarydynasty.com
www.dianeabapo.com
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