Although he is only 28 years old, Ryan McGarvey blues-rock guitarist arrives to Budapest with 3 full-length albums and many awards in his pocket. As the winner of the 2010’s Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, he got recognised by some of the greatest musicians, like Joe Bonamassa, Ian Moore or Chris Duarte. His first ever Hungarian show will be on the 5th of June at A38 Ship, and he kindly answered a few of our questions.

photo copyright by www.schattenwerk.ch

Rockbook: - First of all, thank you very much for having us! Now let’s talk a bit about the past. How did you get into music, especially blues?

Ryan McGarvey: - Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me. I got into music through my parents record collection. I grew up listening to Classic Hard rock like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, etc.. I Then kinda started tracing those artists influences back and that where I fell in love with the blues. For a while I became a purist and only listened to Robert Johnson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, BB King, Albert King, and Freddie King etc. Then I started discovering the contemporary artists of the late 90’s like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Chris Duarte, and later Joe Bonamassa etc. All the while continuing to infuse rock music into my favorites.

Rockbook: - All the songs on your albums are original. How do you write them? What are your inspirations and what do you think to the most important in your music?

Ryan McGarvey: - I think a thing about my music, and also a reason I loved the blues- was that its honest. I write from real life experiences. A lot of the inspirations come from past relationships, both good and bad sometimes.They come to me in different ways all the time. Sometimes I have the music first, and sometimes I have the lyrics. It just takes that “magic” moment where they pair up just right.

Rockbook: - You have released 3 albums so far, the latest one was „The Road Chosen” in 2014. what do you think how has your style changed during the years, since, „Forward In Reverse” (2007)?

Ryan McGarvey: - I’d say that my playing has changed over the years. I think where in my earlier days I definitely had more of a Stevie Ray Vaughan (Texas Blues) type of sound, but over the years of incorporating different influences from everything blues, rock, and even guys like Eric Johnson and Jeff Beck I’ve come to more of a sound of my own. The big noticeable thing with me as the years go by is my singing. I feel like all the hundreds of shows around the world have really taught me how to sing better, as well as my voice just improving in general over time. My songwriting with the albums has also matured. I write a bit more personally, and I think I have a better understanding of how to get what I want to say into a song.

Rockbook: - What do you consider the most significant achievement in your career?

Ryan McGarvey: - Its hard to say what the most significant achievement of my career would be. I think being chosen by Eric Clapton as the winner of the Play Crossroads competition was the first very major thing in my career. It really boosted my presence all over the world. Winning Best New Talent in Guitar Player Magazine was really huge personally for me because I had always read Guitar Player Magazine growing up, and always saw the results of their Readers Choice Awards. So when I heard I had won, it was a big moment for me. My dear friend Joe Bonamassa was actually the one who informed me I had won (He sent me a picture from the magazine). And of course my latest big thing for me was winning “Best Guitarist” in the European Blues Awards this past year (and almost winning the year before as well). To me it was a real sign of all the hard work we have put in to coming to Europe and travelling/playing as much as we do every year now. It was very special.

Rockbook: - You have performed with many excellent musicians, like Kenny Wayne Shepherd or Joe Bonamassa. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Ryan McGarvey: - I think that to do something with someone like Eric Clapton, or Paul McCartney would be outstanding. As well as Robert Plant or Jimmy Page. I think of these guys as the greats that are still around that nobody will ever create the genius that they so easily produced repeatedly over the years. Also I dont think anyone will make as much of an impact on music history as some of these musicians.

Rockbook: - Name the 5 best blues/blues-rock albums!

Ryan McGarvey: - Off the top of my head, which I have listened to recently I’d say…in no order.

Cover To Cover - Jeff Healey
Trouble Is… - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Tailspin Headwhack- Chris Duarte
You & Me - Joe Bonamassa
Best Of Friends - John Lee Hooker

Also, with exception to a few of the names, I’m being biased because I’m lucky enough to call them friends of mine.

Rockbook: - This is your first show in Hungary. What are your expectations?

Ryan McGarvey: - I don’t know what to expect really. I’ve heard only amazing things, and I’ve always heard they are the best audiences. I’ve always wanted to visit Budapest. So we are really looking forward to rocking out with everyone. It’s going to be a really great night! I look forward to making some new friends, and new fans.

Rockbook: - Last but not least, what does blues music mean to you?

Ryan McGarvey: - The Blues is in everything. All other music, but every element of life. Its at times very simple, but thats because it doesn’t need any tricks to tell its truth. It’s pure and real. Its every emotion, and something you can’t fake. And if you aren’t honest when you perform the blues, people can tell. Blues is truth.

Mocsok