http://www.twistonline.net/a-conversation-with-multi-talented-ryan-christopher/ We are sharing our recent interview with Ryan Christopher an American musician, multimedia producer, and writer. Twist Online : First of all please introduce yourself to our readers. Ryan Christopher : My name is Ryan Christopher and I am an Alaskan born musician, artist and father. I own a multimedia production company that specializes in creating alternative digital art, video, audio and web design for freelancers, musicians and small businesses that fall outside the mainstream. I have been studying music for nearly 3 decades and operate under my musical alias, “The Gathering Pool”. Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry? Ryan Christopher : I began playing guitar when I was 6 years old and I’m 34 now. I don’t have any memories of life before music! I don’t remember ever making a conscious decision to pursue it, my life just seemed to unfold that way. If someone were to inform me there were other options in life I would have assumed they were insane, on drugs, or both. I don’t do well in other industries; I get fidgety, depressed and will often sabotage my way out the door. If it weren’t for my Mother suffering through years of awful playing and spending money she didn’t have I’d probably be a used car salesman and have no soul. Twist Online : Our readers would like to know more about your band “The Gathering Pool? Ryan Christopher : I started The Gathering Pool in 2008 as an acoustic extension of my progressive rock band, Fluid. As a musician, I’ve never felt driven to become a virtuoso like Eric Johnson or John Petrucci. My strength has always been in songwriting and creating big-picture ideas. The Gathering Pool is a place where I’ve been able to grow and experiment freely without producers, labels, deadlines, management, contributing members, or financial motives. It’s more of a musical journal I’ve made public than a band. I’ve met a lot of bands throughout my career and grew tired of seeing good musicians sell their dignity out of desperation to be “someone”. I spent so many years unable to separate my passion for music and my ego’s shallow desire to be a rock star that I had no idea what it felt like to write an honest piece of music. When a band is dedicated to making it big leagues there’s always an ulterior motive and a materialistic agenda clouding the writing process. There are norms and expectations within the industry that control how we write music. There is a similar pressure to please the audience, sell more and gain popularity. There’s nothing genuine left in a piece of music that’s been tailored to appease so many different expectations. Breaking free of these influences has given The Gathering Pool something special that I have rarely witnessed and is difficult for fans to describe. Whether you love it or hate it, you’ve never heard anything like it. Twist Online : Tell us about your upcoming Album “”I-ORION””? Ryan Christopher : I-ORION focuses on political and social issues in regards to the welfare of our children. The name of the album is based on my son’s name and the Self Psychology term “I-Self”. Largely in support of domestic violence victims, orphans, and children who have become wards of the state; this album’s goal is to encourage healing and growth as a means to end the cycle of abuse within families. The concept of the album follows a semi-fictional version of my son on his journey to find his authentic self and make peace with an abusive stepfather. It’s been a great experience planning this album and working on it with my son. It’s serving it’s purpose already by helping him express his feelings constructively and have his voice be heard.(Spoiler Alert: Youngest Metal Vocalist Debuting on I-ORION?) Twist Online : What kind of response you are expecting from the release? Ryan Christopher : I hope it helps those who need it the most. Twist Online : What’s the best part of being a music artist? Ryan Christopher : It’s invaluable in infinite situations and is an incredibly powerful force to harness. One song can shape an entire generation and influence millions of people. Music turns strangers into friends and bad days into good days. Music has more control over our emotions than we do and has even been proven to enhance our brains by simply listening to it. Twist Online : Have you set some goals to achieve? Ryan Christopher : Well, I already quit smoking and added flax seeds to my diet…I’m not a superhero. Twist Online : Are you working on any new project? Ryan Christopher : Yes! I always have irons in the fire. To further avoid becoming a used car salesman I have developed a new service I am offering to bands and solo musicians called “Web Roadies”. This service is like having a well-oiled road crew for your band’s web presence and it’s customizable. I cover tasks including social media management, website management, Press Releases and Distributing, digital distribution, email/fan mail management, etc. Also, I have tracks from I-ORION available to license for Film and TV!