Ray LaMontagne
Ray LaMontagne
Raymond "Ray" Charles Jack LaMontagneis an American singer-songwriter. LaMontagne has released six studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain, God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise, Supernova and Ouroboros. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after hearing an album by Stephen Stills. Critics have compared LaMontagne's music to that of Otis Redding, The Band, Van Morrison, Nick Drake and Tim Buckley...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionFolk Singer
Date of Birth18 June 1973
CityNashua, NH
CountryUnited States of America
I always felt, as a listener at a show, that when there was too much banter between the artist and the audience that it detracted from the show. I more enjoyed shows where the guys came out and they just played.
I was really lost for a while in my teens. I was angry. But when I found music - Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell - it was a new discovery. It was a door to this other world where I wanted to be.
Well... you know, I love motorcycles. They're just beautiful, and there's a certain craftsmanship in older bikes, older Triumphs or BSAs or Norton. I'm just very attracted to it.
The label doesn't do anything but put your record in the store, that's all they do. And tell you, you don't have a single... and tell you, it's not gonna sell... that's what the label does.
In order to get a note out, I have to dig deep, and I mean that on an emotional level. To physically sing, I have to get somewhere deep before I can do it.
I probably wouldn't be a songwriter if I didn't grow up the way I did. It was difficult and it was at times very scary to grow up in a household so unsettled and at times very violent. But, it also, I guess it earned me a sort of wisdom at a young age that's served me well.
I don't like myself, and I don't like to be looked at.
It bugs me that people think my songs are personal because it means I have to explain myself all the time.
My backstory is so tedious.
There's a real sense of desperation when you grow up in poverty.
Now the wren has gone to roost and the sky is turnin' gold Turnin' from the past, at last and all I've left behind.
Writing songs is not something I wanted to share with people for a long time. It was precious to me. I didnt want someone to crush it. I waited until I felt strong enough to take the criticism.
I feel calm when I'm on my own.
I want to be in control of my own destiny.