Ron Coolen’s solo album “RISE and Shine” has been released with 12 international guest musicians

Ron Coolen is a Dutch multi-instrumentalist from the Netherlands. He has been an active musician for most of his life, mainly in hard rock and tribute bands in the local Dutch live scene. Originally Ron is a drummer, but he made a career switch to guitar 6 years ago.

Hi Ron Coolen and welcome to LiveTrigger Magazine! Let’s start by introducing your project: what does make it unique and where is based?

Hi guys, first of all thank you so much for the opportunity to present my music on your page!

My name is Ron Coolen, I’m from the Netherlands, have been active in mostly local bands for all my life. And now I have released my first solo album called “RISE” and it’s getting worldwide attention as we speak.

The album features 12 songs in the best style of classic hard rock and heavy metal, with some prog and thrash here and there. RISE was recorded with the help of 12 incredible guest musicians: George Lynch, Keith St. John, Christopher Amott, Göran Edman, Joey Concepcion, Thorsten Koehne, Stéphan Forté, Johannes Persson, Chris Clancy, Daniël Verberk, Steve Lamb and Sam Walters.

And this is probably the unique part of the album, to have so many great musicians on one and the same album.

Ron Coolen

 

 

How was your 2020 so far?

With regards to RISE, 2020 has been overwhelming so far, as the album is getting great reviews all across the globe. I have been very busy promoting the album, and I still am.

“The virus” has changed many things in the meantime for the musical community, the music industries’ foundations are shaking really hard now. And I see that there’s an impact on the promotional side as well.

Radio studios closed, magazines postpone next issues etc.

To make the best of the situation I have also started writing new songs, the time is right now, as musicians have a lot of time available.

I got some very cool cooperations coming up again! 

 

Tell our readers more about your new album release. Are you excited?

Yeah, I am extremely excited.

Foremost I am so proud and honored to have all these great players on board.

It took me 3 years to write and record the album.

Now it’s here and people seem to love it. That is actually my greatest reward!

 

And what about the video?

Currently I have a video of ‘Big Devil Data’ on YouTube, although with a still image of the single cover.

I will be releasing new singles in the remainder of 2020 and I am working on video clips for them.

 

Where do you get inspiration and how do you create your music?

Most music I write on guitar, just by playing around with licks & riffs.

Over the years I recorded hundreds of snippets of small ideas.

I write by bundling these ideas into end-to-end songs.

That may sound simple in plain words, but in practice it means hundreds of hours of playing, collecting, bundling, changing, rearranging etc.

Writing a song is like solving a puzzle with 1.000 pieces.

From a lyrical perspective I am very interested in topics like for instance politics, climate, technology and religions.

But since I cannot write any decent lyric, I need others to that for me.

Ron Coolen AC_DC

 

 

Who are your favourite artists in your local scene and what do they have in common?

From the Dutch rock scene my favourite artists are Andrew Elt, Daniel Verberk and Timo Somers.

Andrew (former Sleeze Beez) is a very experienced singer/guitarist in too many bands to mention, we are schoolmates and played together in our first hard rock band called Razor. 

Daniel is an extremely talented guitarist and plays with Andrew in Led Zeppelin Tribute band ‘Physical Graffiti’.

Daniel plays on RISE too, he does the guitar solo in the song ‘Paradise’. 

Timo (Delain) is an incredible young guitarist and I never seen such a young guy with so much feel and blues in his playing.

What these guys have in common is that they are extremely talented and dedicated, they LOVE music and they are all humble, down to earth super nice personalities.

 

 

How did they influence your style & sound?

As a kid I never listened to Led Zeppelin, yet many people hear their influence in my music.

It was only until I saw Andrew and Daniel play in ‘Physical Graffiti’ that I understood and appreciated the greatness and quality of Led Zeppelin’s music.

Timo is just too young and too good to influence me, ha ha ha.

RonCoolen

 

In your opinion, what is the connection between music and creativity?

Music and creativity are 100% connected. Music = Creativity, and Creativity = Music

 

Are you happy about what’s happening in your life as a musician?

Oh yeah, definitely!

I have lived my dream and released the album I have always wanted to release since I was a kid. 

am super proud to have 12 extremely talented guests on my album, and I am really excited that the music is rewarded and acknowledged by press and fans.

No virus can ever take that away from me!

 

What’s the most exciting thing that happened to you recently?

You know, when you have worked for 3 years on an album you kind of feel creative emptiness for a while.

At some points even questioning yourself in doubt: “can I ever do this again ?”.

As I mentioned I have started writing again, and very recently I received this guitar solo from a guest for a new song

The excitement I felt when listening to that solo was huge!

Smiling from ear to ear, playing it 20 times in a row.

So yeah, it felt like I can do it again…..So even in quarantaine exciting things happen.

Ron Coolen drummer

 

What about your next gigs. Are you planning a tour?

Actually Keith St. John and I have discussed the option of touring together, and I was working on that idea, until the virus changed everything.

We still have the plan to do it, but it needs some further fine tuning and someday it will happen.

Of course, the ultimate dream would be to play the whole album with all 12 guests, but just thinking of the logistical and financial challenges gives me a headache already ha ha ha…..

 

What’s the best live music show you’ve seen recently?

Recently I saw Vinnie Moore play in a small club in Holland.

I have been a lifelong fan of Vinnie.

It was not only the music I loved.

But also the fact that Vinnie loves playing live so much, that he crossed all of Europe in a small bus, playing small venues, meeting fans, and just having fun.

A down to earth guy who loves music!

How can our readers follow you on social media?

If your readers would take the time to listen to my album and give me their feedback, that would be my ultimate reward.

They can go to the following places in cyberspace

Thank you so much for the opportunity to present my album RISE to your readers. You all stay safe!