Of all the musicians, few can narrate the gritty story of salvation as explicitly as Ryan Tobin. The Christian rock musician incorporates his experiences of personal victory over drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual abuse, into every song that he makes, music that reaches out to those struggling. Mr. Heming’s latest album *Purgatory Road* is a lot more than just a list of songs; it is the true account of faith and redemption.
As Tobin will explain in an interview, one of the songs on the album, namely the title song, was made at a time when he was still trying to get his life back on track after suffering a nervous breakdown. One night when he was nursing his sick children the idea just came to him. Strapped to his side, the guitar, he poured everything he’s been through, and even fleeting moments of victory into what would become his best work yet. And that is true throughout the track listing – which makes Tobin more than a survivor but a storyteller.
Big Spring, Texas native Tobin’s rags to likely rock star story is one of passion and tenacity. Here he reveals much of the story behind the creation of *Purgatory Road*, the hidden messages in his songs and his dreams for changing lives through concerts. Throughout it all, one thing remains clear: for Tobin, music is not art it is a vocation to become an artist.
“What inspired the song “Purgatory Road”? Is there a personal story or experience behind it?
I was about a year into my recovery from alcoholism and mental disorder when I started writing Purgatory Road…one cold winter night my family and I had fallen ill. While my wife rested I stayed up to watch over the kids who like me were riddled in fever, pain, and exhaustion. As a way to keep my eyes open and stay alert I sat down with my guitar and lightly strummed. It was common chord progression, but I felt something different.
Maybe it was my fever or what I liked to think was a floodgate of healing opening up by my savior to guide me through another chapter in recovery. When I muttered the first few lines of the verse I stopped what I was doing started crying, thanked God, and grabbed a composition book and pen. I didn’t set off to write a song although I always wanted to.
This was something set in motion way before the night I wrote Purgatory Road. All the pain that I felt, all the broken promises, mistakes, and even the good times where going to find their way on this paper.
Can you talk about the meaning behind the lyrics and how they relate to the overall theme of the song?
One specific event sparked the “Breathe, Breathe” part of the chorus. I was in treatment and had pretty bad episode dealing with withdrawals and other afflictions. One of the medical staff and counselors who helped me kept saying “breathe, breathe” and that kind of stuck with me throughout the healing process. The references to being under ice is the weight of addiction on top of the relationships that get burned along the way.
There are many references to my faith within the lyrics which play an important role to the entirety of the song and album. Still room for personal interpretation, but I think the music paints a pretty direct picture. Purgatory Road goes both ways and there is always a place to turn around and start over. I just had to ask God for help and be ready to receive it.
How did you approach the musical composition for “Purgatory Road”? What instruments and sounds did you use to create the distinctive atmosphere?
The song didn’t sound exactly how it does now. It was written acoustically, and I did have help with one important part…the chorus! Originally the chorus sounded like this “Breathe Breathe its okay, no more tears for you to cry today” a good friend grabbed his guitar and said check this out “Breathe Breathe its gonna be okay, save your tears and all your fears, save them for another day” my jaw dropped and I was like….”THAT IS IT.”
I immediately told my friend “I will put you in the credits” and the song moved forward. My musically talented cousins helped with the initial production of a beautiful sound that was softer and acoustically centered. I knew there was some heavier rock in there and felt like this was my only shot to find out. So I sent the demo to another friend who God strategically placed in my path and the rest is history.
Can you describe the recording process for the single? Were there any challenges or memorable moments?
Writing, playing, and recording music has to be one of the best things to do in life. Nothing like it. Favorite part is recording vocals. For Purgatory Road and a few others on the album we did things remotely. So the only challenge to long distance production is time and opportunity for mistakes to happen.
The trust I had in the people who worked with me on this was paramount and it speaks volumes to the passion they have for music. Most memorable moment was hearing the playback for the first time with arpeggios and strings. I was finally able to start seeing a vision come to life and this has been an awesome experience thus far!
Where are you from, and how has your upbringing influenced your music?
Born in Germany and grew up in the State of Texas in an extremely small town next to another small town. Currently settled in Canyon Lake out in the country. My passion from music comes from my time spent in church growing up, seeing my dad play in a cover band when I was a kid, and it seemed like no matter where I was at the radio was always on. If I had to pinpoint one experience that has had me locked in to music…it would have to be in 1997 when I saw a Christian acoustic duo play at a summer church retreat. My mom bought me my first acoustic guitar shortly after!
How would you describe your musical style? What genres or artists inspire you?
My favorite type of music is rock or folk and within this is gospel and country. Most of the songs I play have a somber or reverent tone. I think acoustic guitars, violins, cellos, and basses capture those moods great. I play a six string acoustic primarily and typically have to learn in order to play the melodies that generate throughout life. Coolest part about rock music is that it is extremely versatile medium to show emotion with a song.
What is your creative process like when writing and recording new music? Do you have any specific rituals or routines?
Prayer, people, and persistence. I had the melodies and lyrics but, my guitar skills didn’t always match up to what I was trying to get out so I had to learn more on guitar to get it as close as I could. Most of the time something pops into my head and I just start singing. Doesn’t have to make sense yet so I just record it with my phone. Then I start to dig into lyrics, overall melody, rhythm, tempo and then go from there.
What does the name “Ryan Tobin” mean or represent to you?
I decided to keep my name when writing and releasing music because the songs were extremely personal. There were a couple of other options and maybe a name for a band, but after long deliberation and prayer, I knew it was the right thing to do!
What are your plans for the future? Are you working on any new music or projects?
Immediate future…release the album Purgatory Road on November 1st. Next step is to get equipment ready for live shows and everything that goes with it including me! We also have plans to do some internet based live and pre-recorded events in the solo acoustic form. There are 4 new songs for the next journey in progress and I am starting to co-write with fellow musicians.
What are your long-term goals as an artist? Where do you see yourself in five years?
What I would love is to just keep connecting with people through faith and music until I am called to do otherwise. Until then I will keep writing, singing, and telling my story. Some dreams include small tours, second album, and being able to support my music with the support of people who enjoy listening to it.
What message would you like to send to your fans and supporters?
My belief, and what I know to be true is that God has a plan for every single one of us. Thank you all for being a part of my life and staying with me through some very tough times. Hopefully we continue to grow as a community and experience more cool times together as fans of music, friends, and family.
