The Observer, March 21, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 21
Student Profile: Ricky Human
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Katie Chioran: What's your goal as a musician?
Ricky Human: I guess I would say my ultimate goal as a musician is to know that my music has affected people and made some kind of change through people's lives, either through the lyrics or the music. As for my long term goal, I kind of look up to Bono from U2 and the work that he's done with HIV and AIDS. I look up to him because he's someone who's used his platform to invoke some sort of positive change. I hope that if the band makes it to that level, we can give back in a big way like Bono has.
KC: How did Walk the Moon get its start?
RH: Nick, the lead singer, and I met in high school, and we worked on writing some music together for a project we were doing for school. We ended up recording in the studio when I was a sophomore and he was a senior. We started out that way and then met Sam at a local church where we worked with the Youth Ministry and led worship with music. A fourth guy who's no longer with the band joined up with us, and we recorded a demo CD that was mediocre at best, and that was that. Then Nick went off to college and met Adam, who's now our bassist and a fantastic vocalist. The five of us got together in the summer to enter a local Battle of the Bands that was to take place over five months. Thirty-five bands entered and we were in the final four. We placed third that night, but met legendary producer Erwin Muster (Van Halen, David Bowie, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John) and we developed a working relationship with him, and the four of us have since been working with him as our producer.
KC: When did you decide to try music as a potential career?
RH: Ever since I was really young, I've dreamed of performing for crowds of people. As my talent grew, my passion for music grew along with my dreams to do great things with music. It was really solidified for me after we did so well in the Battle of the Bands. I saw it as a fantasy possibility before, that I would fanaticize about, but now that it's an actual possibility, I'm trying to stay grounded because a lot is happening really fast.
KC: How do you keep up with the band while at school?
RH: [Laughs] It's not easy, but we're constantly in communication. Whenever we have a break in our workloads (we're all full-time students), we'll book shows, try to publicize, and do whatever we can to move forward. We spend a lot of weekends going back home to Cincinnati for meetings with our producer, photo shoots, etc.
KC: What made you decide to major in nursing?
RH: It's almost the same reason I'm compelled to do what I do with music. I basically want to make a difference in people's lives. The thing that really made me want to give nursing a try was living in Kenya for three weeks and working with HIV/AIDS victims. Someday, I hope to work with an organization like Doctors Without Borders and help out in areas where there is no medical infrastructure.
KC: What's the biggest obstacle that new artists are facing in the music industry?
RH: I think the biggest obstacle they're facing is their freedom when it comes to creativity. It's a shame that the record industry today is so focused on trying to generate a profit that it sometimes squelches creativity just because they want to mold artists into what they think the general public will like. Also, to not be taken advantage of by the record company, because in a lot of instances, that happens. Unfortunately, money is a huge manipulating factor for all the wrong reasons.
KC: How long does it take to complete a song?
RH: It ranges…as little as three hours or as many as five months. It is so important to the band that our songs are deliberate and with purpose. When we perform or record a song, it's significant to the band and has meaning behind it. We won't allow for any mediocrity in music or lyrics.
KC: What's the next step for Walk the Moon?
RH: To get exposure, exposure, exposure, and to ask for help from all of our friends, whether they help us by purchasing a CD, telling a friend, coming to a show, or just giving us kind words of support. In April, we're opening for Sugarcult at Springfest, and a few executives in the record industry that we're connected with have caught wind of the show and have expressed interest in coming to Cleveland to see us perform. We'll see what happens. I am very grateful to everyone who has supported the band or shown an interest, and look forward to playing the show for everyone at Springfest.
For more information on Walk the Moon, check out their MySpace at www.myspace.com/walkthemoonband.
