The Obelisk Questionnaire: Ryan Garney of High Desert Queen
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Ryan Garney of High Desert Queen & Journey to Ixtlan
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I’m a teacher by day and musician by night. Teaching is not what I set out to do in life but in a way it found me and I realized I absolutely love it. I teach high school level English as well as audio and video production.
As far as music, I started singing in a band right out of high school. Wasn’t even the best singer in the band but I was the only one brave enough to do it. I sang for a few bands here and there but had a long period where life just got in the way. Was lucky enough to connect with the people in High Desert Queen and was able to get back into it.
Describe your first musical memory.
Whenever I think back to the first time I realized music was essential in my life was when my dad gave me a James Brown cassette. I remember playing it full blast in the kitchen. I’d take my shoes off so that I could dance around in my socks on our linoleum floors trying to emulate James Brown on stage. I never even got close.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
There are so many to choose from, but seeing Tom Waits live for the first time with my brother was magical. We flew to Vancouver to see him and I’ve still to this day not seen a performer just have total control of the audience. We were all basically on marionettes and watched his every move. He along with James Brown are why on stage I feel like I better give it my all no matter if there’s two people or 2,000 people.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I think we’ve all experienced that during the past few years with the pandemic. I still have the faith and belief that there are a lot more good people than bad that want harmony in this world. Luckily through it all, myself and my loved ones have come out even stronger than when we started.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
This leads to a higher consciousness as well as a euphoria that cannot be matched. Playing live and performing is great, but there is no greater feeling than creating something with people you love. That’s why the writing process is by far my favorite part of being in a band.
How do you define success?
If it’s something I’m proud of, then it was a complete success. I don’t let other people dictate or tell me if it was successful or not.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Matchbox 20 live. It was my first concert ever and it pains me to say so.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’d finally like to get around to writing the scripts and stories I’ve been saying for years I would but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Then turning that into short and feature length films.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Anything that causes an emotional response is art, but for me the most essential function is to bring people together and spread love. That is perfect art.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Traveling to places I’ve never been and meeting more and more good people as I get older. I truly feel you can never meet enough good people in your life.
https://www.facebook.com/highdesertqueen/
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http://highdesertqueen.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/
