Denon presents this exclusive one-on-one glimpse at the drummer and manager of the band behind an EP that will be perfect for Halloween, Hunters & Runners’ own Ryan Raichilson. Trick-or-treating, partying, and eating a lot of candy. That’s how most see Halloween. But after the last party goer passes out, after the last candy’s been eaten, and the last trick-or-treater heads to bed, the true spirit of Halloween comes to life, in the form of ghouls, goblins, ghosts, and monsters! For one night, these dark elements come out of hiding and celebrate, run amok in our streets, and dance in our cemeteries in an event just for them. An event that needs a soundtrack. And for that, New York City’s Hunters & Runners provides.
Photo by Layla Wrencher
The band’s new free EP, I Was The Ghost (released October 27 on Bright & Barrow Records), showcases another team up of Hunters & Runners with producer Chris Howard (Of Classic Renown) to serve up 3 bone-chilling songs perfect for this yearly party of the ghoulish and horrifying.
“Meet Your Maker”, “Knife”, and “The Ghost” are 3 tracks that will surely bring listeners to the darkest of nightmares, forcing them to trudge through the River Styx with the Grim Reaper to face demons, homicidal psychopaths, and clean up after bloody, gruesome murders. All of the songs, however, despite the brutality, are very neatly wrapped in the tight musicianship, extensive harmonies, and anthemic choruses that listeners and fans expect from the band.
Photo by Sarah Gainer
I Was The Ghost is a truly welcome addition to any ghoul, ghost, and/or zombie’s playlist looking to come back to life and party this Halloween. It’s loud, fast, and catchy as hell nature even gets the Devil himself’s approval! Best of all, it’s FREE, and anyone, living or dead, can get it at www.brightandbarrow.com just in time for Halloween. The band, along with others, will also have a release show on Thursday, November 11 at The Lit Lounge.
Photo by Natalie Pascarella
Ryan Raichilson sporting a pair of Denon Over-Ear Headphones!
Tell us about yourself: What’s your profession, where did you grow up, and where do you live?
Hi, my name is Ryan Raichilson, I play drums in and manage the New York City-based band Hunters & Runners, as well as running Bright & Barrow Records.
Ever since I was in middle school, I have been writing songs and playing in all kinds of bands, ranging from singing and playing guitar in punk and ska bands to playing drums in acoustic rock and indie bands.
I started my band, Hunters & Runners, with some friends from college at the beginning of 2009. Since then we have developed a loyal fan base and play regularly around New York City. In the spring of 2010 we released our debut album, Of Classic Renown. We are currently wrapping up the mixing and mastering of a free, digital three-song EP, called I Was The Ghost (due out sometime this month).
In conjunction with the release of Of Classic Renown, I created Bright & Barrow Records, an independent music company run out of my apartment. Aside from releasing Hunters & Runners’ debut album, I produced and released a digital compilation called Cause A Scene, Volume One, which features 22 NYC / NJ local punk rock bands. The album was released on August 30, 2010 and received an onslaught of attention and rave reviews from national music publications and blogs.
When did you first decide to become musician, what inspired you?
I think I decided to become a musician when I met my best friend, Eric, in 7th grade. He was a bass player and we just decided it would be fun to start a band together. I bought a cheap electric guitar and we started jamming on Metallica songs. After a while we started writing songs, formed a band, and started playing at our friends’ birthday parties.
When did you first fall in love with music?
I consider myself lucky in that I know the exact moment I fell in love with music. It was during the summer between 7th and 8th grade. I was waiting for my friend (read: his mom) to pick me up to go to the community pool and was channel surfing until he arrived. I landed on the music video for Foo Fighters’ “Monkey Wrench” and was instantly captivated. I immediately went out and bought that album, and it changed my life.
I was never that into music until I bought that record. But once it was in my CD player, it was on repeat for about three years. I was hooked. From there I discovered all kinds of other bands and music became the center of my life.
Describe your perfect listening experience?
My perfect listening experience: It’s a beautiful day and I’m cruising down the highway with my windows down and stereo blasting (even better if it’s a convertible). There is no traffic and no stoplights. The sun is shining against the amazing backdrop of mountains, water, and trees. There are no cops out today so I don’t have to worry about speeding.
Tell us about your most memorable DENON moment?
Denon played a crucial role in the making of our debut album, Of Classic Renown. We recorded the whole record in my apartment with nothing but my computer and Pro Tools. No fancy gear or mixing boards.
In order to get the songs sounding the way we envisioned them, we had to meticulously dissect every component of every measure, and to do this we used Denon headphones. We each took turns using the headphones to scrutinize the songs and pick out what needed to be tweaked. With four people and 11 tracks, this is no easy task.
However, after all of the hard work and long hours, we are really proud of how the record came out. For recording it on a shoestring budget in my apartment without any real professional gear, I don’t think it could have sonically sounded better. And that is all thanks to Pro Tools for making recording easy, my girlfriend for letting my band take over our apartment for months, and Denon headphones for allowing us to make the best record we could.
Who are your favorite artists today?
Ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you that I have a million “favorite bands.” And that is kind of true…I tend to call all the bands I like my “favorite.” But when it REALLY comes down to it I would have to say that the Bouncing Souls are my favorite all-around. They perfectly capture that melody, rhythm, spirit, and attitude I look for in music. No matter how terrible I feel, I can throw on How I Spent My Summer Vacation and instantly start smiling.
That being said, my favorite RECORD is The Colour and the Shape by the Foo Fighters, for the reasons outlined in question 3.
My favorite new band is The Gaslight Anthem. Like the Souls, they blend all of the elements I look for in music. I truly believe that they will grow into being one of the most influential and important rock bands of my generation.
Who is doing work today that really inspires you?
Musically speaking, I am really inspired by Dave Grohl, who has consistently shown through all of his projects such as Scream, Nirvana, Foo Fighters (electric and acoustic), Probot, and Them Crooked Vultures that you don’t have to let one musical genre or instrument define you.
I also am deeply inspired by Brett Gurewitz, who is an original member of Bad Religion (one of my favorite bands) and founder of Epitaph Records. Since the beginning, he has done things his way and created the label that he wanted to make. Although I don’t necessarily care for all of the records he has released through Epitaph, he puts out music he believes in on his own terms, all while putting the artist first. That is what I aspire to do.
What are your favorite 5-10 songs that we would find on your music play list?
Like the bands I listen to, my favorite songs tend to change constantly as well. But here is a snapshot of some staples:
- “Everlong” by Foo Fighters (this will always be #1)
- “True Believers” by Bouncing Souls
- “59 Sound” by The Gaslight Anthem
- “Radio” by Teenage Bottle Rocket
- “The Decline” by NOFX
- “Sorrow” by Bad Religion
- “Josie” by Blink 182
- “Old Friend” by Rancid
- “Bro Hymm” by Pennywise
What do you think the future of music holds in store for us?
Although the music industry has been through the ringer lately, I think that this is overall a great time for the art of music. The internet allows bands to get their music out there easier and to build their fan bases organically. Speaking from personal experience of playing in an independent band and putting out records DIY, today’s musical landscape and technology allow anyone with the heart, drive, and passion for what they do get their art out there. And that is in no way bad.
Sure there are people out there who argue that the internet allowing people to release whatever they want is a bad thing because it over-saturates the market with crap, and I see their point. But I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing. The more art the better, even if you don’t personally like everything. And besides, when you do trudge through the filth in order to find an artist or song that you instantly connect with and answers all of your musical prayers, it makes it that much more special.
So to answer the question, basically I think that artists are going to keep having to step up their game if they want to compete for attention and spins on your ipod. This increasingly competitive environment will continue to foster amazing talent and true, honest, hardworking artists that will earn and deserve our support.
If you could own a piece of sound equipment that would enhance your music or home theater experience, what would that be?
Although I am an avid vinyl collector, I am in desperate need for a high-quality record player and speaker setup. I have been obsessively collecting vinyl for about 3 years now, but unfortunately I only have one of those cheap combo vinyl/CD/tape players from Target. I know…unacceptable. I love to buy records for the artwork and color / print of the actual wax, but as much as I want to listen to them, they just don’t sound good on my current player.
Be sure to check out and grab your own free copy of I Was The Ghost, as well as Bright & Barrow’s current releases and projects at www.brightandbarrow.com!
Cause A Scene, Volume One out now!
Hunters & Runners’ Of Classic Renown also out now!
Check www.brightandbarrow.com for updates, and follow them on Twitter, too!
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