The Black Ryder

Album: Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride
Label: EMI
Website: myspace.com/theblackryder

Riding out of the dark and into the light

Conventionally speaking, a band’s evolution is characterized by their forming, writing of quality songs, shaping these songs, showcasing them live, taking the show on the road and building a fan base from each gig played - that’s the general rule. The Black Ryder of Sydney, on the other hand, isn’t about to start subscribing to any conventionality. If in fact they had not been presented with an opportunity to play alongside an internationally renowned act early last year, they may not have even contemplated leaving their studio.
 
“We never started the band with the intention that we’d be a live touring band. It started as a touring project and to be honest with you, the only reason we initially put a band together was because Black Rebel (Motorcycle Club) asked us to support and I think we only had three songs.”
 
So says one half of the duo, Scott Von Ryper who along with partner in music and life Aimee Nash is on a journey intent on making music for arts sake rather than popularity.
 
Adopting moods that oscillate between dark and brooding, shoegaze in its execution, smattered by reverb encased by eerie vocals (from Nash) and layered instrumentation which sometimes results in a country feel, at the time of our interview Von Ryper is preparing to preview the latest works from The Black Ryder, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride.

The preview will take place in the slightly unusual setting, of Monster Children magazine’s art gallery HQ in Surry Hills. It’s no surprise to learn that it’s not just any old record launch, no as with everything the band does it’s planned to be executed a little left of centre.
 
“They [Monster Children] approached us to see if we’d like to do a listening party and as we spoke to them we developed the idea a bit more into a multimedia, so it will be a listening party but at the same time some photos will be on display that were taken on a film shoot that we did last weekend, we’re going to be premiering our new film clip.”

It’s an opportunity to celebrate the photography and the director from that shoot at the same time showcasing the work of the Black Ryder, “ Von Ryper continues.
 
As he recounts their weekend away filming (for the film-clip) it’s increasingly apparent that Von Ryper is only interested in dealing and co-creating with those who share in or enhance his vision - to make breathtaking, unusual and confronting artistic pieces.
 
The album which is due for release this month was self-produced by himself and Nash, and is the collective resonance of their styles.
 
“In the end we just realised what we were creating, the scope needed to be much bigger and it was ok to have tracks that were melodically different to others. 

“So there are tracks on there that are quite epic and wall of sound and then there is lonely more, country songs as well.

“Quite a large gap exists between some of the tracks on there, and in the end I think that was to our benefit,” Von Ryper reflects.  

Boasting a number of special guests including stable-mate Ricky Maymi of the Brian Jones Town Massacre (who camped on the sofa of Scott and Amy’s house throughout recording) as well as Peter Hayes from The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
the pair feel they’ve been blessed by the outcomes of many a chance encounter shared whilst traveling.
 
“All of the connections [with bands] have come about in a kind of different way I guess,” says Von Ryper.

“Amy and I connected with some of these bands during our travels of the previous band, being on tour with them in the States with them meeting them through our own music.”

Whatever synchronicity emulated throughout recording, all paths have led to The Black Ryder retaining ownership of their debut. An ideal situation arose which enabled them to negotiate signing to a large label for distribution, (EMI) but their own newly formed label: The Anti Machine Machine is the signatory. Von Ryper takes a big breath, almost a sigh of a relief, as he recalls the twists and turns that made it possible for The Black Ryder to complete their record ready for sale.
 
It didn’t come about that easy it was a long journey to get from there to having being in the situation we ended up with.

“We couldn’t have dreamed of anything better, It took a long time to get there.”
 
The Black Ryder’s debut album, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride is available through EMI distribution. They play one show only in November: The Tote Hotel (Vic) November 19.

Ruth Bailey