Serendipitously entwined with the vibrant NYC music scene, you’re about to investigate the world of Christian Dryden, the visionary frontman of The Ritualists. Known for their unique blend of Gothic Art Rock, Christian embodies the spirit of artistic exploration that defines the band.
As they gear up for their upcoming album, “Too Pure to Cure,” you’ll discover what fuels his passion, creativity, and the infectious energy that captivates audiences everywhere. Join us on this friendly journey to get to know the man behind the music!
Details on “Too Pure to Cure”
To get ready for an incredible listening experience, mark your calendar for April 22 when The Ritualists release their full-length album, “Too Pure to Cure,” via Suite484 Music. This highly anticipated effort promises to further explore their distinctive blend of Gothic Art Rock, pushing the boundaries of sound you might expect from the band, especially after their celebrated work on “Baroque & Bleeding.”
Collaboration with Grammy-winner Mario McNulty
One of the standout features of “Too Pure to Cure” is the band’s collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Mario McNulty, known for his work with icons like Bowie and Prince. This partnership is set to elevate your experience with a rich and innovative sound that builds on the ornate elements they’ve embraced throughout their career.
McNulty’s expertise guides their artistic vision, resulting in lush, layered arrangements and an adventurous spirit that elevates their music to new heights. This collaboration not only showcases the band’s evolution but also reinforces their commitment to pushing the sonic boundaries of rock and roll. You’ll be delighted by the new textures and ideas that are sure to emerge from this exciting partnership.
Description of “Gothic Art Rock”
Rock music often takes on many forms, and in the case of The Ritualists, it beautifully blends shadowy aesthetics with melodic splendor. Known for their “Gothic Art Rock,” this genre combines haunting themes and rich, ornate compositions, creating a unique audio experience that draws you into a vivid, emotive landscape. This captivating style is perfect for those who appreciate the delicate balance between darkness and beauty in music.
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Expectations for the new sound
The excitement around The Ritualists’ upcoming release, “Too Pure to Cure,” is palpable as fans anticipate a fresh sound infused with their distinct Gothic art rock elements. With Grammy-winner Mario McNulty at the production helm, you can expect a daring exploration of these boundary-pushing ingredients.
The Ritualists are about to embark on a new era that promises to be truly captivating. As they promise to continue evolving their ornate rock style, you’ll likely hear intricate melodies paired with dark, thought-provoking lyrics that challenge the norms of music. Drawing from their experiences touring and collaborating with iconic artists, the fresh sound in “Too Pure to Cure” may just redefine what you thought you knew about rock music.
Upcoming Tours and Performances
If you’re eager to catch The Ritualists live, you’ll be excited to know that they’re gearing up for an extensive tour in support of their upcoming album, Too Pure to Cure, set to release on April 22. As they continue to ride the wave of their critical success, this tour is a fantastic opportunity to experience their unique blend of Gothic Art Rock and connect with fellow fans in a vibrant atmosphere.
Possible collaborations and projects
Some of the most exciting news from The Ritualists involves potential collaborations and new projects that might be on the horizon. Their recent momentum and industry connections may lead them to collaborate with other influential artists or explore new sounds that challenge their creative boundaries.
After their successful albums and tours, it’s evident that The Ritualists are not content to sit back and enjoy themselves. With Grammy-winner Mario McNulty producing their latest record, you can expect them to explore innovative avenues in their music. The band has a rich history of embracing collaborative projects, and there’s no telling what new alliances might emerge in the near future, which makes this an exciting time to be a fan. Stay tuned for exciting updates from Christian Dryde and the band!
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
There is so much to enjoy- the feeling of having a purpose, the camaraderie of working with other quirky, cool, brilliant people; But most of all, it is creating & leaving behind something outside of yourself, that is unique, yet still features elements of your soul. It often captures a specific feeling, inspiration or moment in time and it could even mean different things to different people. But at the end of it all, no one can sort of discount this reality, which you’ve manifested.
What is your creative process like?
I’ve been told by some of my collaborators that I’m a bit of a sponge. I’m constantly absorbing information and processing it. I’d say that 90% of my day, I’m mentally thinking about music and songwriting. I think my inspiration/subject matter for songs is relatively wide ranging, a poem by Coleridge, a quote from Wilde, a Ridley Scott film or a relationship gone bad. Most of my vocal melodies come to me in the shower, or when I’m least concentrating on the actual process. I’m not sure that I’ve ever sat down and said, “I’m going to write a song about subject X.” My songs tend to come from external stimuli and originate both on an instrument (usually bass or drums), or as a vocal melody that I eventually pair with music/riffs. Some of my songs have even come to me in a dream, “King of Air” (off our new album) and “Baroque & Bleeding” were both inspired by dreams.
Does your music fit into your local scene? If so, how do you take advantage of that? If not, do you see that as an obstacle and what do you do about it?
I think it does, and it doesn’t. We are firmly rooted in the NYC Lower East Side/Brooklyn scene, and we have a wonderful community of artists & music fans of all types that still enjoy live music. They have been very supportive. I think we are Glam-adjacent, to a degree, and there are several Glam Rock parties we played leading up to putting out our first album. These experiences helped inspire our stagecraft & gave us some uniquely New York grit. However, I do think we also owe much of our vibe/aesthetic to bands from the UK.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
It’s funny, I met this amazing character, Anthony Godino, when I was still too young to even play clubs in NYC. Anthony had worked for Vidal Sassoon as a stylist in the 80’s and as a teenager had been a regular at Max’s Kansas City, hanging out with the New York Dolls. When I told him about my band, he volunteered to be my stylist. I spoke to him about my love for the Glam and New Romantic stuff, and he asked about our image. I was kind of at a loss, as it hadn’t really occurred to me. I told him I was too shy to get dressed up for performances, and I’d wait for the “big shows,” and then I’d feel comfortable. He advised that “big shows” won’t happen if you look like you don’t care about being on stage, and your audience leaves the show with no sense of your image. He was clear in saying this wasn’t about putting on a costume, but about being comfortable with myself and not worrying about detractors, dressing the way I wanted. From then on, imagery became an important part of the overall artistic expression.
Who are your main musical influences?
Bands/artists I love are Bowie, Queen, Duran Duran, Echo & the Bunnymen, Suede, The Verve
Vocal influences include Ian Atsbury, Simon LeBon, Jim Morrison, Brett Anderson, Bono, Greg Lake
Bass influences include John Taylor, Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce and John Paul Jones
What is your favourite song to perform?
It changes every few months, but currently, it is our new single, “The Wake.” It is equal parts challenging and fun. My bass part has quite a disco feel and the vocal lines allow me to stretch out my falsetto a bit.
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?
We are getting ready to release our new single/video, “The Wake.” This is off our upcoming album Too Pure to Cure, which will come out at the end of April. It is produced by Mario McNulty and was recorded at Clive Davis Studios in BK! We are playing The Bowery Electric on March 15th for the GlamourPuss party and we will be performing a release party on April 26th in Wilson, North Carolina at Sebastian Correa’s studio. He is the artist who painted the images that grace the front cover of our album. On June 7th, we will be performing on the rooftop at Our Wicked Lady in Brooklyn, NY.
What historical figure would you love to see in 21st century life?
Alexander the Great. I think his opinions on the current state of things would fascinate.
If you could learn any language fluently what would it be?
Ancient Greek. I dabble, but I’m not great at it. I think it’s the key to most things.
What’s your favourite children’s story?
Watership Down. Does that count as a “children’s story”?
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
Worry less about pleasing people.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can pick up various items using only my toes. I can even (sort of) hold a pen with them and scribble.
