Interview By: Laura DeSantis-Olsson
His interview was short and sweet, but once hearing Ray Goren’s music, it is apparent this young singer, song-writer need no words to describe his music. His sophisticated sound is beyond his years and speaks for itself on may levels.
(At the time the video was made Ray was 11 years old)
1. How old are you?
“I’m 14.”
2. Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in New York City, Manhattan, and then moved to California because of my dad’s job. We got relocated out here.
3. When did your interest in music start? At what age?
“I started playing piano when I was three and then moved to guitar when I was almost nine. I started playing the guitar at around almost nine years old, eight and a half, nine.”
4. Who gave you your guitar and who got you into playing?
“My parents got me one. After a long time of begging them to get me one they finally agreed.”
5. At age three did you find music on your own, or did your parents introduce you to it?
“No, no I found it on my own. My parents didn’t want me to be a musician, they were steering me away from that actually.”
6. Are you parents supportive of you now?
“Oh yes, of course, of course… always are. They’re great.”
7. After being inspired by music and self taught at age three, did you end up taking lessons in music?
“Yeah, yeah, I taught myself and then after a few months I got a teacher. I worked with a vocal coach and a guitar teacher, but he’s more of a music teacher in general.”
8. Do people ever ask you about your voice? It is absolutely amazing.
“I’ve gotten questions about my voice before. Thank you so much by the way, I appreciate it. I work very hard on my voice all the time. Vocal exercises. Vocal coaching.”
9. How did you find the style of your voice?
“Well it just kind of came, it’s almost like speaking in a way. I mean, you don’t really choose the way you talk, you just kind of talk the way you talk. So, that same thing applies to singing. The moment you think about what voice you want that’s when you know you have problems.”
10. Out of all the blues musicians who have passed away, if one of them was making their way back into this scene though your music, who would it be? If a musician from the past was reincarnated in you who would it be?
“I honestly have no idea. That’s a tough one. Maybe Jimmy Hendrix or something, I don’t know.”
11. Who would you love to collaborate with musically? They can be alive as well as someone who has already passed away?
“That’s a good question. Probably… Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars… I like all those people.
12. What is your favorite songs of your own to play?
“I don’t know, I love playing all songs really. I kinda dig “Memories” or “Weight of The World”.
13. What is your favorite cover song to play?
“I love playing a lot of cover songs. Whenever I play a cover song I just take it and try to make it my own.”
14. How do you choose the cover songs you want to play?
“If I can hear myself doing it, that’s how I know that’s the one for me to cover. It’s pretty simple but it’s the truth.
15. How do people usually respond to you after they hear you play? What are the kinds of things they say to you?
“They usually tell me like, “oh your great,” and stuff like that.
16. What is your writing process for making your music?
“It varies. Typically though, I come up with chords and then I write a melody, and then I write my lyrics. That’s usually how it goes. But it varies.
17. What is your favorite environment to write your music in, where do you like to be?
“I just usually write at home, generally. Usually in my room, sometimes I go outside, but usually I write in my room.”
18. Do you ever get stage fright?
“I’ve never really gotten stage fright before, not yet at least. I get nervous sometimes before the stage, but when I’m on the stage, I never get scared.”
19. What would be your dream venue to play in?
“My top three are: Staple Center, Madison Square Garden, and then the Superbowl Halftime Show.”
20. As a result of being basically involved in music your whole life on a professional level, do you feel like you still get to do all the things you want to do for a “kid” your age?
“I mean I do occasionally, not as often as most kids obviously. Yeah, sometimes I do, not too often though. But I enjoy what I do, I love what I do, it’s worth every minute. I love it.”
21. What other methods of expression / art forms do you practice in addition to music?
“I don’t know…. I would say sports. I love basketball. Music is my main focus in life as well as being with my family and friends. That’s basically the life.”
22. What are your favorite sports?
“Basketball and football. Then, soccer is the third one, but I love basketball and football a lot.”
23. Where do you see your music taking you? Do you want to make history with it?
“I most definitely want to make history with my music. That’s a goal. I’m still really young, but that’s definitely a goal. Music is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life. I hope it makes an impact.
