Ryan Calder Band

Here’s a question: why would you purchase an album of the RCB?

It’s difficult for me to ask that question of myself.

But in the interests of a good question, okay, I will: why would Ryan Calder pay for a copy of On The Edge? (more…)

This was a song which was birthed out of the music. The songwriting process is a strange one, because there’s never any true way of knowing when and where inspiration will come from. I’ve resolved to follow Bob Dylan’s advice and make a conscientious effort to hang around the ink well.

When I penned this song, it came out of a (more…)

It was around-about August 2009, I think, when the band had just finished a practice and we were talking about that thing that makes some bands so special. After going through all our various likes and dislikes, Roberto pointed out that the common denominator in all of our favourite songs and bands was that they had groove.

I remember milling over this for quite some time, because (more…)

The last song to be written ended up as the first song on the album.

I enjoy some of the chords in Jim Croche songs, and for this song the inspiration was the same sequence from the chorus of Time In A Bottle, which runs down the D scale. Except for On The Edge, the rhythm is more upbeat.

I remember it so clearly, sitting on my bed in my room with pen and paper on my lap, trying to finish the song by putting words that matched the mood of the rhythm and the chords. I knew what I wanted the song to be about, but just couldn’t find an opening line. (more…)

On The Edge - the RCB's new album

For those who have bought a physical album and read the panel insert, check out the “On The Edge Giveaway” at the bottom of this page.

If you’d like to buy the album you can get it from one of these online stores:

So at last, our issues with web service providers seem to have been solved and we’re back up and running. Many apologies to all those who were trying to get on the website and couldn’t… it was beyond our control and incredibly frustrating, but we’re glad to be up and running again!

The band’s first soiree into Cape Town was an unbelievable time. For a band, there is nothing like (more…)

The alarm clock went off way too early this morning at 6.15am. I love the way Michael Griffiths (our graphic designer) puts it: getting to bed early is actually much harder than getting up early. S’truth.

I had good reason though. Last night we launched our new album, On The Edge (more…)

Marlon runs a studio in Pietermaritzburg where the Ryan Calder Band has put together its second album.

To be honest, it feels like a lifetime ago that I arranged to go and visit Marlon. I feel like I’ve known him for years and years. But I remember that particular night clearly – sitting down talking life and music with him, and how we would go about putting together the new RCB album. I remember his passion, his insight and a quiet awareness in his ability as a creative force.

Marlon Hemmero

(more…)

Recording more bits and pieces… bass, keyboard and other lesser known evils…

Recording more bits and pieces… piano, keyboard, guitars, vocals…