Feminism is alive and well, my friends. On Sept. 30, Indie singer/songwriter Ryan O’Neil premiered his new music video “Sunday Morning” in Brooklyn.
The song delves into what it’s like for a woman to walk home in the morning after she’s had a night out, ultimately normalizing the “walk of shame” into something we should all consider calling the “stride of pride.”
After hearing “Sunday Morning” I had to snag an interview with the man who is leading America one step closer to accepting the fact that women are people too.
HC: Tell me a little bit about “Sunday Morning” and the creative process that went into producing this song.
Ryan: “I wrote the song on my own as an observation of modern dating practices. I wanted to write about the “walk of shame/stride of pride” phenomenon. However, I didn’t want it to be a song shaming women, so as I was writing I realized that I was harping on the appearance of the woman. I tried to rectify that with the bridge and final line; basically saying it’s not just women who are guilty of it. We all play the game.”
HC: Tell me a little bit about your struggles of playing music without being able to use your right hand.
Ryan: “I assume my struggle with learning the guitar is similar to almost every other person who has picked up the instrument. It was seemingly impossible in the beginning, I didn’t practice as much as I should (I still don’t) it hurt, I didn’t sound like my heroes, etc. Regarding my lack of a right hand, I was born without it, so I don’t know any different. Everything I’ve ever had to do, I needed to do with five fingers. I guess fingerpicking does pose a specific problem for me that other guitarists don’t face. And while it definitely sucks that my 16-year-old guitar student (who I’ve taught for five years) can play certain fingerpicking songs that I can’t, I don’t let it get to me because that’s just how it is. I usually find my own unique way around issues that spring up because of my hand.”
HC: What is your favorite part of having a career in the music industry?
Ryan: “Being a musician is so tough, in so many ways. But, it’s really an honor and a pleasure to play music and have people take meaning from it. Also, being a rock star is so many little kids’ dreams. I’m actually pursuing a dream so many people give up on.”
HC: Tell me about any collaborations you’ve been working on.
Ryan: “My main collaborator back in the day was a cat named 100dBs. My best friend, The Beege, is a constant and consistent collaborator. Benjamin Bartel, the director of the Sunday Morning video, and I will be collaborating in the future on more music videos in addition to some short films. That I’m really looking forward to.”
HC: How did you become involved in music?
Ryan: “I’ve always been a fan of music but going to a performing arts high school [LaGuardia High School] really throws you head first into music. I only auditioned for a spot at LaGuardia because my mother pushed me to. I had no aspirations of musicianship before that.”
For more information on Ryan and his music, check out ryanoneilmusic.com.