Upcoming 100: What inspired you to start making music, and what keeps you passionate about it?
Ronald Finn: I always enjoyed writing poetry from an early age and have had over sixty of them published on different themes in various publications. It wasn’t until many years later that I took an interest in the art of song writing. I like the fact you can observe something and either photograph, illustrate or in my case write a song about it.
Upcoming 100: Can you tell us about your latest project or album? What was the creative process like for this one?
Ronald Finn: I keep a notepad by my bed and most of the time that’s when all the silly stuff goes around in your head. Over a short period of frantic writing while half asleep, I tend to construct my songs from the various bits and pieces of the erratic notes I made.
Upcoming 100: How do you balance your creative vision with the demands of the music industry?
Ronald Finn: I don’t have any demands from anyone in the music industry because I don’t have deadlines to work too. However, I’m lucky to have time on my hands through being semi-retired and all the kids having left home. We recently moved down to the coast from London and having developed a different routine I find my creative vision comes from looking at the sea from my balcony.
Upcoming 100: Who are some of your biggest influences, and how do they impact your music?
Ronald Finn: I’m influenced by the likes of Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rodgers. Also, as bands go, The Eagles, The Chicks, Lonestar. The impact they have on me is when I listen to them, I feel they generate new angles of my song writing.
Upcoming 100: What's the most important message or theme you want your music to convey to your audience?
Ronald Finn: The basic message I want to get across without it sounding like a cliché is ‘Love’. The happiness it brings as well as the heartache whatever age you are. I like to think everything has a beginning, an end, and another beginning.
Upcoming 100: Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get started?
Ronald Finn: I tend to shut myself out from the outside world and listen to some classical music as it helps me relax and clear my mind. Almost like meditation it helps me visualise words on a blank page.
Upcoming 100: How do you approach collaborations or working with other artists? What do you look for in a collaborator?
Ronald Finn: I use freelance session musicians to collaborate with. I give them a freehand in whatever input they feel is needed to bring the song to life.
Upcoming 100: What do you think sets your music apart from others in your genre?
Ronald Finn: Like most country songs they tell a story. I like to think what I write is of interest to people who can resonate with the song. The music helps bring it to fortition with a particular instrument that I feel sets the song apart from others while still being current.
Upcoming 100: How has your music evolved over time, and what do you think are some of the most significant changes you've made?
Ronald Finn: I work with a basic template for writing a country song. I try to evolve it as much as I can within reason while at the same time keeping it as traditional as possible.
Upcoming 100: What's been your favorite experience or moment in your career so far?
Ronald Finn: I enjoy the moments when a song finally comes together and the endless possibilities when pitching it.
Upcoming 100: How do you stay connected with your fans and build a sense of community around your music?
Ronald Finn: I stay connected by keeping up to speed by what’s ‘IN’ and what’s OUT’. Music is like fashion; you must be aware that the music business is constantly changing. However, great songs like fashion can come and go for years. It’s important to relate to your community of fans that they helped contribute to your success in the first place.
Upcoming 100: What's next for you – are there any new projects or tours on the horizon?
Ronald Finn: As a songwriter my main goal is to pitch my songs direct to established artists as well as up and coming ones.
