Interview with Ritual Talk
It’s October and Ritual Talk is celebrating the release of their first EP, Rippled Glass. When I ask them how long it took to record, Alex DeSimine, the band’s main songwriter, laughs and admits “too long.” With not only an EP but a recent move from Harlem to Brooklyn and lives dates across the east coast, the band has had a busy year. Their aforementioned tour has brought them to New Haven; before the show, they caught up with me at the Willoughby’s around the corner to recaffeinate and chat about the band’s journey so far.
Ritual Talk describe themselves as a psychedelic indie band, but even a cursory listen reveals their sound to be much more complex. They are distinguished by their harmonies, in which all five band members take to the mic. This detail, drummer Tom Criblez relates, grew out of their live shows. This was tough for Tom who, along with guitarist and percussionist Dylan Gleit, didn’t consider himself a singer – not to mention the challenge of drumming and singing at the same time. Considering how seamless the group’s vocals sound, both on record and live, this is beyond impressive. But as Alex assures me, “it’s bullshit that only singers can sing,” citing Bob Dylan as an example. It’s certainly hard to argue with the finished product.
The creation of Rippled Glass was a true exercise in DIY recording. Recording in their old apartment in Harlem, the band had to be resourceful, using a blanket as a vocal booth, and moving guitar amps to the bathroom to get the right atmosphere. The vocals, which meld so seamlessly, were mostly recorded separately and mixed later.
Their new place in Brooklyn has allowed for a larger set-up, which is still growing. Living together is an added convenience, even if it raises eyebrows. As bassist Alex Tremitiere quips, they’ve been called a commune before. Being able to rehearse in the apartment and not having to worry about transportation – except for Dylan, who still lives in Manhattan – means that rehearsing and creating is easily integrated with the rest of their daily lives. Being close to other artists in Brooklyn’s music scene was also a key factor in the move. Alex T. tells me that they were attracted to the area because there was so much going on and, thanks to proximity, people often swing by to jam in the basement. “Every time I go out, I meet someone going after their passion. Everywhere,” says Tom.
The release of the new EP also brings changes with how audiences connect to Ritual Talk’s music. As Alex D. explains, live music is inherently a collective experience. Songs can sound different every time, as some parts of a song are drawn out, arrangements are changed, and the band chats with the audience between songs. On the other hand, listeners experience recorded music in countless ways, from blasting it at a party to listening alone late at night. Recorded tracks also make the band more widely accessible. The EP not only allows the band to reach anyone with an internet connection, but also lets audience members keep listening after the show is done. At a recent show in Binghamton, audiences were familiar enough with the band’s oeuvre to request songs, and others took out their phones to follow the band on Spotify as the music still swelled around them. Safe to say that the Ritual Talk fan base is growing thanks to both the live and recorded experiences.
Playing live music is of course still vital to the band’s activity. When I spoke with them, they were in the middle of a fall tour in a car called Ben that they’ve become adept at loading with gear. On the road, the band takes turns queuing up songs with the rule that no one’s allowed to look at what’s already been added. This means that no one knows what the vibe will be when their song comes on. This may make for an odd mix, but keyboardist TJ Alcala reflects that it’s a great moment when two songs vibe. Playlist creation, according to Alex D., is “a subtle exercise in connecting brains.”
Checking out the band’s promotional pics, videos, cover art, and live show aesthetic – including an old TV modified to display the band’s name in flashing lights – one might think a sort of musical mind meld has already occurred. I asked the band how they manage to maintain such a consistent aesthetic that’s nonetheless hard to describe. According to Dylan, this is the result of solid communication between the band and a willingness to put a lot of thought to how they present themselves. Everything “from an Instagram post to a song” gets talked over and approved by all five members to make sure that it fits the vision. (I can’t help thinking that cohabitation streamlines the process). Alex D. tells me that the band arrives at their aesthetic through adjectives and ideas; it’s less about an end goal, the way a marketing campaign might be, and more about everyone in the band feeling comfortable in the direction.
This unnamable aesthetic is perhaps most felt in the band’s two exquisite music videos for two of the tracks on the EP. In their creation, Ritual Talk benefited from their place in creative communities both near and far. The video for “Sense” was made by the artist Alex Braddock, recommended by a friend. They never met in person and the video was created through a few brief conversations on Skype. The video for “Help, I’ve Been Dreaming” was made by Tom’s brother, Dan Criblez, a sculptor, in collaboration with Alex over the course of a year. Both videos allowed for other artists to add their interpretations and their own visions to the music.
It turns out, just such a dialogue between artists, and between band and audience, is exactly what Ritual Talk is all about. I’ve hesitated to ask about the band’s name, worried it’s as hackneyed a question as wondering where they get their ideas, but it comes up naturally when we’re chatting about the uniqueness of a live setting. Alex D. tells me that, when the audience is into the music and paying attention, the exchange between musician and audience is a “ritual conversation.” The band’s cryptic name refers to the very act of performing and sharing music. As someone about to witness Ritual Talk’s live performance myself, and in a venue that has become one of the cultural hearts of my time at Yale, I’m glad I’m taking notes.
As for the future, Alex D. is happy to say that the band is “just getting started” with “a full and ready pipeline of projects.” With the first EP available (on Spotify if you’re so inclined) and a plethora of live dates lined up, the band is excited to move on to new projects and new ideas. Ben rolls on, and the conversation continues.