Artist Close-Up: Allan Rayman Faces His Demons In Roadhouse 01
Allan Rayman has been described as the most mysterious man in music, but at Ludlow House he tried to add a few clues to his “mysterious” persona. The shy, smart guy consistently proclaimed his dislike of talking in front of crowds, but persevered to try to show that his “mysteriousness” is really coyness. For some artists, music is their way of expressing the things that they struggle to say in conversation.
I have always been fascinated by music’s ability to capture what I am feeling better than how I am explaining it. I have found that music takes away all the self-deprecations and distractions we add to our emotional explanations so as not to appear weak or wrong. In essence, music is clear and cutting towards the clean truth or, at least, that is how it is for Allan Rayman. Presenting music from his new, concept album ‘Roadhouse 01,’Rayman was more open to the audience than ever, especially since it was one of his first shows ever. It is a strange feeling to present your work in front of anyone, but it can be particularly nerve-inducting when that work is about wrestling your demons and selfish behaviors. Songs like “Left Alone” , “Sweetheart”, and “13”, seems to encompass Rayman’s personal struggles to connect to his relationships and present for what he can give rather than for what he can receive. As witnessed on stage, despite his quieter demeanor, Rayman is a man that wants absorb life as if each moment was, literally, edible, and finds it hard to ask how “full” he has made or is being made by others. His quest is symbolized by vocal chords feel like paper being grated if he was not eager to embody life like she was something to possess.
Rayman can go from “honeyed” vocals that drip like specks of sweet gold to grated notes that sound as if his vocal chords are being shredded by sentiment. He can roar a note with a grit that captures the emotional baggage of his rebellious alter ego, Mr. Roadhouse. This persona is the one he created as a mental trick to actually have self-analysis of his insecurities/issues during his cabin retreat to record Roadhouse 01 . Lyrically, you can tell Rayman wants to put all “BS’ aside, and sincerely witness his role in his own life. After all, not everything that happens to your life and relationships is without your catalyzing part, of which Mr. Roadhouse is that fiery temperament that gives Rayman’s “coy” personality a more boisterous, even confrontational side. As he sings to ex-lovers like he was breaking up with them, in song, before the crowd, he tosses his hands in the air and uses his body a further elaborator of his internal turmoil.
FAUST ROAD by Allan Rayman
Faust Road
Rayman is all about showing the lows of life we wish to learn from in order to feel and act higher. We all have had moments where we ask ourselves, “Is that me?”. What I love about Rayman is that his music is an unabashed affront to that deeply personal question. Moreover, his distinct rasp/roaring vocals will enrapture audiences who loved how rock icons like Janis Joplin and Jimmy Page could screech their notes like life, itself, were trying to halt their voices but could not. Yet, Rayman’s music feels less “rocky” and more like slow,drawn folk music with winding electric guitar melodies that appear like a never-ending sonic highways. Still, the most important connection he as to these rock icons is a voice that shows life can kick you down, but you have a say in how and if you get up. For More Information On Allan Rayman and to Buy Roadhouse 01 Click Here.
