New Music

Q&A: Finland Alt-Pop Singer RONYA

  • March 3, 2014
  • 3 min read
  • 204 Views

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After we posted Ronya’s incredibly hot video for her single “The Flame” we were instantly flooded with requests for more about this artist so we asked for an interview and here’s what we got!

1. How did you get your start in the music business?

RONYA: I knew what I wanted to do from a young age and tried to persuade my parents to let me dive in to the music industry at 14,15,16 but they refused to let me become a child star, (thank god). I got my real start in the music business when I recorded a demo with my godfather that ended up in the hands of a couple of labels. After begging my parents they finally let me sign at 17.

2.   Who influenced you to become a musician and create the music you’re making?

RONYA: I come from a family with a lot of musicians and artists, so music and art has always been a big part of my life. My father produced one of the first and most legendary rock bands in Finland, Hurriganes, and my mother always wrote songs for every occasion that we would perform together. They both influenced me to make music myself and not let anyone else decide where I stand as a musician. Back then I was also very much influenced by the great divas, the big voices,  and I would practice imitating their sound and range every single day for several hours.

The music I’m making now is of course influenced by the music I listen to, but it’s also very much influenced by the people I work with, building on their own unique sound.

3.  There are many similarities drawn between you and Robyn. Is she someone you have modeled yourself after? What other female artists do you take after?

RONYA: Personally Robyn has always been someone I admire, but not one I particularly model myself after. I’ve always been influenced by Beyonce and Björk. Kate Bush is also someone I’ve always loved.

4.  Where do you see the future of music heading?

RONYA: Subcultures will always lead the way, and the mainstream will always exploit certain elements to the masses, but there will always be new music. Record companies won’t be needed anymore and the power will be in the artists. Upcoming young musicians also need to work harder to be musicians and artists – not singers or products of various singing competitions that promise fame and success. That success isn’t sustainable if you don’t understand what it is to be a musician and to start from the bottom and build your way up towards a lasting career. We need to get back to making music for music, not for money. Success isn’t a bad thing, but it has to be earned.

5.  Do you think it’s important to appeal to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender) community? Many artists are diligently working to appeal to this community.

RONYA: As an artist and on a personal level it’s something that is close to my heart and something I take very seriously. I have young fans at a tender age that need to know that it’s ok to be you, whoever you are. There is constantly something going on in the world reminding us that the war isn’t over and it’s important that we show our support to those who need it the most.

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About Author

Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc. In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year. In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever. In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization. 2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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