Returning with his second single EMA is German-born artist RIPL, oozing passionate and infectious vocals in all of his work. Since going solo he’s seen some great success, so we decided to catch up with him and ask him some quick questions, so that you readers can get to know him a little better! Read on to find out what he had to say…
RIPL returns with his new single EMA
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
I’m a German born singer/songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist currently based in sunny Scotland. I’ve had a passion for music since my earliest days; I was starting to play guitar at six. It really took off around 10 years ago though, when I did my first EP with a band. During my teenage years, I was a founding member of The Shme()gma, who became the first German band to record in London’s renowned Abbey Road Studios, but four years ago I got the chance to come and stay in the UK to find new inspiration for my solo material. Since moving to Scotland, I’ve grown my following by playing open mic nights. I released my first single as a solo artist titled Of Course I Can last year and, my new single EMA is out now. In a recent interview, my sound was compared to the likes of Frank Turner and Ben Howard. It’s an absolute honour to be compared to such amazing artists.
Can you tell us about the experience you’ve had as an artist since moving to the UK?
Since I came to Scotland four years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of incredibly talented musicians and producers – the diversity’s been incredible. Getting the chance to work with all the incredibly talented other artists, musicians and producers I’ve met in the UK really invigorates me as well, it’s been amazing.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
Getting to work on new material with a Grammy-nominated producer was a game changer for me. Suddenly, I was going from a folky kind of song like Of Course I Can to a full band sound with all these instruments on it. Adam Coltman and I come from completely different musical backgrounds, so it was like a clash of two worlds of thought, resulting in an entirely new creation.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
To be honest, I only listen to a handful of people, mainly bands like Green Day, Oasis, R.E.M, some Red Hot Chili Peppers – and The Beatles, obviously. My goal is to reinvent this dull, old image most people have of a singer/songwriter. I also enjoy writing my songs without the help of an army of co-writers.
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
In order to collaborate successfully, I don’t think people have to be award-winning producers or professional musicians – there’s an awful lot of talented young people in the music scene in Britain.
Do you have any definitive aims or goals for your career?
I really hope that I can collaborate with some musicians, artists and producers that I haven’t already worked with, in order to broaden my horizons and gain new experiences. Like I did for the video for my new single EMA with an artist from Glasgow named Alan Graham. And, [I’d like to make it] to my 28th birthday without dying, [that] would be nice, as this age seems to be very dangerous for musicians.
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
Last December I played my first gig in Germany for four years, so I’ve decided to tour Germany this summer. To prepare for the FRINGE Festival in Edinburgh though, I’ll also be playing at one of my best friends’ weddings this summer. A very intimate gig. Also, I’ll be starring in a short movie that was filmed in Germany this February. At the moment we are in talks with an American punk band to collaborate on a track.