Behind The Lens: Dustin Ransom

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How would you describe your music to a first-time listener?

I trust that anyone who finds my music is already intelligent enough to find a description for it that suits them best.  I'm just making what feels real to me.

What about making music makes it fun for you?

It is changing just as much as I'm changing. Always new, always fresh. It shows me where I'm stuck, and also the way to get unstuck. Just relax and surrender to it.

How do you know an idea is worth developing into a song?

If the same feelings happen as when I heard the music that inspired me the most, then I know I'm onto something. There's no formula. I really don't know until I allow my fingers or words to form into something tangible.  That feeling I'm waiting for is sort of an invitation into a new adventure, but also a familiar unfamiliar.  I know I've technically never heard whatever it is coming out of me, but I also know somewhere inside I've heard it a thousand times.  I'm just excavating it.

When do you decide to shelf an idea that isn't going to work?

I don't think anything really gets shelved. Some ideas or songs are just means to get to something better, or signposts to another idea. I have many songs that ended up being a combination of several different ideas or concepts that just felt good to throw together and they created this kind of tapestry that was much more interesting than those pieces of ideas by themselves.  I have a theory that most songwriters or artists have this subconscious template of 4 or 5 songs that are unique to them, and they're simply just  rewriting them over and over again. The form, tempo, vibe, and words may change, but they're elaborating on core ideas that just get clearer and clearer as time and experience unfold.  It's certainly been the case for me.

You're celebrating a major career milestone with a trip to the ice cream shop. What's your go-to flavor and why?

Brambleberry Crisp from Jeni's Ice Cream.  It's a flavor milestone in itself.  No story - just tastes fantastic.

What do you want fans to take away from your music?

I have no set agenda for fans to take anything away from my music. I make it for my own sake, and trust that if someone hears it and resonates with it, the music is doing its job.