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Ron Brunk recently sat down with VENTS Magazine to discuss all things “Real Person” & “These Days”. The interview is down below.
38 albums in, what does releasing new music mean to you at this stage of your life?
It’s still about the total thrill and absolute joy I get from writing and recording new songs, and from creating new music videos about them. There is nothing I’d rather be doing, and I’m so thankful that I’m still here making music. I suppose the only new aspect of it is that it’s become a more urgent thing for me, because I now realize that I’m on the back side of life. Like the song says, “I’m not dead yet, but I could go at any minute!” As a result of that reality, I want to do my best to create every bit of art that’s in me, before my time is up!
You’ve never held back when it comes to sharing your personal highs and lows. Does songwriting still feel like therapy, or has it become something different over time?
That is an excellent question. With the greater perspective that comes with age, I can now look back over the years and see my artistic creations more clearly. I now understand that much of what I was writing in my earlier days truly was therapy for me. My songs were often a way for me to express and release my inner turmoil, sorrow, bitterness, etc. That’s why most of my early records were so extremely dark.
Nowadays, I believe there is still some of that. But my writing has become so much more over the past 20 years. Now my songs are often expressions of great joy, hope and love. And rather than focusing on expressing my pain, I often think of ways that my music could heal, inspire, and move others. In other words, when I’m writing, I’m trying to think less about my inner demons and more about the angels all around us in this world.
“Real Person” takes a strong stand for keeping music human. What pushed you to write that song now?
I felt the need to write “Real Person” once I saw the increasing dangers of this AI path we are on. At first, I admit I did not recognize the depth of what was happening with Artificial Intelligence. But when I heard about lyrics & music being totally written and played by AI, I knew we were in trouble. And to top it off, I learned that these sorts of artificial songs were being released by “fake people.”
I heard that there were big hit songs recently on the country charts and on the gospel charts, both by fake artists with made-up back stories. In my opinion, that is pure garbage, and a nasty slap in the face to every true artist. I think it’s despicable.
There’s a playful tone in “Real Person,” even with a serious message. Why was it important to keep that light touch?
Even though the topic of the song is very serious, and one about which I am obviously very passionate, I didn’t want the song “Real Person” to come across as angry and bitter. My crazy sense of humor often takes over, and it did so in this case. I glanced at my two mannequins and the inspiration for the music video came instantly! I thought it would be so funny to do a song about a “real person” with a video of myself and two mannequins! I do have a very obtuse and quirky sense of humor. And this video amuses me to no end. And if a song or video delights me and makes me laugh, then I’m probably going to do it, regardless of what anyone else thinks about it. I am an artist, and therefore, I do what I must do.
The mannequins in the video make a bold visual statement. How did that idea come together?
Oops, looks like I just answered this in the previous question LOL. Yes, it only took an instant for the entire video to come clear in my mind. I immediately knew what I was going to do; every scene was crystal clear in my mind.
“These Days” feels more vulnerable and heavy. What was going through your mind when you wrote it?
The song “These Days” is meant to be a dark and frightful description of the madness and evil in our world. And I think I nailed that. But it’s also meant as an indictment on the masses of people who are oblivious to what is really happening.
The video for “These Days” uses dance in a really striking way. What drew you to that contrast between beauty and unrest?
I thought it was an excellent way to depict the people who are dancing their way through life, as the world implodes around them. Dancers twirling across bloody battlefields and ballerinas doing pirouettes through scenes of destruction – what better juxtaposition could one get?
Both songs feel like a call for people to wake up. Do you feel hopeful about where things are headed?
Yes, I am hopeful and have faith in God that things will eventually get better. But the sad and scary part is that it’s going to get much, much worse before it gets better.
After everything you’ve lived through, what still inspires you to keep creating?
I have no choice; it’s who I am. I write and create. Every day, all day. And I am constantly inspired by everything I see, hear, touch, experience…
As you celebrate this new chapter, anything else you’d like to share with your listeners?
I would encourage people to dive into and experience all 38 of my albums and all 300 of my videos. I think they will be amazed at what they will find there.
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