The Obelisk Questionnaire: Ryan Garney of High Desert Queen & Lick of My Spoon Productions
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 & Lick of My Spoon Productions
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I have the privilege of fronting a band with three absolute beasts behind me. They push me to be better every day and there is nothing better in this world than getting in the studio and creating with Rusty, Morgan and Phil.
Describe your first musical memory.
For me it was when my dad showed me James Brown. I was probably six years old and there was a live performance on TV. I immediately started trying to dance like him much to the delight of my family watching me. To this day I use some of his songs as a vocal warmup and try to bring as much energy at a live show as I can because he brought it every time.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
This is hard to narrow down. As a fan it’s probably watching Mark Lanegan perform at Psycho Las Vegas while standing knee-deep in the wave pool with my wife and my brother.
As a musician I’ve been so lucky to have the opportunity to play with and meet legends I’ve looked up to for years like Mario Lalli, Nick Oliveri, Tommi Holappa, and countless others. But the highlight so far for me was when High Desert Queen got invited to play a Desert Generator Party out in the California desert with Fatso Jetson and others. I’ve always wanted to go to one of those parties and never dreamed I’d actually get to perform at one. Incredible moment for me.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I would say this happens pretty much daily. There will always be people the doubt what I’m doing in my life trying to make High Desert Queen excel. Those people are starting to realize I don’t listen very well and that HDQ is much more than just a hobby in my life.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
It leads to absolute bliss. There is nothing greater than expressing yourself artistically. It rarely ever comes out like you intend but there’s beauty in that. Because of that the thirst can never be quenched and I continue to want to create more and more, pushing myself further each time. If that ever stops, it’s time to do something else.
How do you define success?
To me success is if what I have done has made a positive impact on at least one person, myself included, and has allowed them to feel more love than they had previously, then it was successful.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Avatar: The Way of Water. Worst movie ever made and I can never have those three hours of my life back.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A concept record. I would love to make a concept into the studio with no previously rehearsed material and write a record. This is something that HDQ has talked about doing in the future and I can’t wait.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
The most essential function of art is to give someone an emotional response. Even if it’s not the one you intended. That doesn’t matter because everyone rects differently, but if it causes no reaction, then it ins’t art in my opinion.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to traveling and seeing the world more. I know I’ll be doing that because of my music, but I look forward to meeting new people from different cultures and learning how they live, eat, and drink. Speaking of drinking, I look forward to trying the beer in all of these places!
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/
https://www.facebook.com/LOMSProductions
https://www.instagram.com/LOMSProductions/
http://www.lickofmyspoon.com/
https://linktr.ee/Lickofmyspoon
