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RYAN MacGRATH Sweet Plans for 2012

Posted: January 9, 2012

Lots of us have launched into the New Year with resolutions to change this and that…fewer however, have resolved to change continents.

Matter of fact - right now I can only think of one – Ryan MacGrath.

And to celebrate this great adventure – there’s a wonderfully musical Bon Voyage planned for next Friday, January 20^th at The Company House in Halifax, NS.

Of course all of Mr. MacGrath’s friends will be there to wish him well - some even joining him on stage - like Jenn Grant, Carman Townsend, Ruth Minnikin and many more.

It's sure to be an incredible night and a 'we'll really miss ya - not to be missed' send-off.

And I didn’t want to miss the chance to get the scoop on this tremendous trip from the man himself…

So what follows is my Q&A as they say with Ryan MacGrath…

SABS: With the New Year - comes a new chapter - you're moving to Europe - HUGE! So tell us why...

Ryan MacGrath: I've been seeking out a bit of an adventure for some time now, and the opportunity to move to Austria came about, so I'm taking it! Although I adore Halifax and Nova Scotia, I am very excited to broaden my horizons. I hope to explore new cultures, new scenery, and new sources of inspiration for my music and my visual art. Also, I'm moving with my boyfriend! We're going to frolick about Europe, drinking cheap, delicious wine and making a life there.

SABS: What's on your list of "Must Do's" while you're there?

Ryan MacGrath: Drink cheap, delicious wine and make a life there. AND, visit every country that borders Austria (there are eight of them!) and then some. I studied Art History at NSCADU, and I can't wait to be in such close proximity to the actual pieces/architecture that I learned about through books and slides. I am particularly excited to be living so close to Italy.

SABS: You are indeed a renaissance man - looking back at 2011 what were highlights for you - musically - artistically...I've gotta believe there were many

Ryan MacGrath: It was a pretty awesome year for the most part. It began with me writing music for a feature film and being nominated for three ECMA's. I was also commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation of NS to write and record a song commemorating the 20th anniversary of their famed Festival of Trees Gala - a cause near and dear to my heart.

Music Nova Scotia awarded me with Alternative Album of the Year for "Cooper Hatch Paris", and I toured extensively throughout eastern Canada. 2011 treated me well, but 2012 is welcomed with open arms.

SABS: Cooper Hatch Paris was a really well orchestrated project - from the depth of your songwriting to the studio recording, to the album launch and video support - do you have a new project in the works and what can we expect?

Ryan MacGrath: I do, yes! I don't go a day without thinking about my next project. Musically, I want to record an album that is as honest as I can possibly make it. Whether that means stripping down the production or enhancing it, I'm not sure. Whatever I have to say in the songs, I want it to be free of lyrical clutter, fantasy, and filler.

Artistically, I plan to keep painting colourful, textured abstracts - we shall see! I'm an artist - these things can change at the blink of an eye! (just ask my bandmates)

SABS: Before I let you go - have you made any New Year's Resolutions?