By: Kat Harlton
https://www.facebook.com/ronthebaptistmusic
Toronto artist Ron The Baptist recently release his debut single ‘Adonis‘ . Inspired by the alt-rock of the aughts and the pop hits of the eighties, Ron the Baptist recalls the music of artists such as the Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and Bleachers, and is inspired by high-concept acts including Alex Cameron and Foxygen.
Teaming up with the city’s top talent, Ron the Baptist will be releasing his debut EP Sorry This Happened To You this fall. Produced by Frankie Figiomeni and Feurd Moore of The Elwins and mixed by JUNO award winner Jay Dufour and producer Derek Hoffman of Fox Sounds Studios, Dwayne Gretzky darlings Meg Contini and Jill Harris contribute to backing vocals.
We had the opportunity to catch up with the artist and discuss songwriting, inspiration and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your new single “Adonis”?
RTB: Adonis is a dance-rock extravaganza that I wrote just for you. The story is pulled from supermarket tabloid headlines, which detailed the romantic tryst between a woman and her 3ft statue of the Greek mythological hunk Adonis, truly a tale as old as time. The name Adonis and the image of the statue got stuck in my mind – I’m a sucker for a good historical artifact – and with the right balance of retro keyboards and dance rock rhythms, I threw together a song even my mother can enjoy.
Kat: What is your songwriting process like?
RTB: I’ve always found it easiest to let inspiration strike me wherever it feels most comfortable – whether that’s in the back of a cab, on the toilet, or in those last moments in bed before you fall asleep. You fill the pages of your notebook with the lyrical ramblings of a mad man, you record yourself a few indecipherable voice notes, you leave a lot on the cutting room floor – and you wake up the next morning, take some advil, and
start it all over again.
Kat: Have you ever been given any advice, or do you have any advice for emerging artists, looking to forge a path or have a career in the entertainment industry?
RTB: That ringing in your ears and sinking feeling in your stomach? That’s not appendicitis, it’s just your instincts kicking in, and it’s a good thing. Follow your gut. In this business, it’s all about who you know, so make it your business to know everybody. Most importantly, don’t stray too far from the internet – that’s where all the action is, and if you want to be in the loop you’re not going to want to miss a minute of it.
Kat: Could you talk a little bit on your musical idols or role models?
RTB: I’ve always admired the little guys with big ideas – guys like Phil Collins, Paul Simon, or Napoleon. Anybody who is constantly reinventing their music and image and pushing the boundaries of what being a musician, an artist, or a leader means. Everyone from Childish Gambino and Chance the Rapper to Foxygen and the Voidz are breaking down the barriers between genres right now, and I for one am excited to see
what’s next after the dust settles.
Kat: What’s on your playlist?
RTB: I’ve been setting the stage for early autumn with a brief list of new classics including:
When I Dream I Dream of You – We Are The City
Leo – Holiday Sidewinder
Algorythm – Childish Gambino
Tacoma Night Terror – Jackie Cohen
Dark Saturday – Metric
Kat: What’s next? EP?
RTB: We got even more where this came from – my debut EP “Sorry This Happened To You” is coming soon wherever popular music is streamed. We’re gonna play some shows in support, make some new friends, and try and keep a good attitude towards the whole thing. That’s showbiz, baby.
For more on Ron The Baptist, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ronthebaptistmusic