Serena Ryder

Christmas Kisses

By Jay Cooper Contributor / Musican

I had the chance to talk to the talented Serena Ryder. Yes, she is truly funny and sweet as she talks about her new Christmas Album, Christmas Kisses. Here is our conversation.

ATOTK: How are you? SR: Good how are you? ATOTK: I’m very well.

ATOTK: I’m actually just down the street from Millbrook. SR: Oh WOW! Where abouts?

ATOTK: In Peterborough, just off the 115. SR: OK Sweet! Love it! Thank you for pushing (the interview) a little bit (later) … I just wanted to skip doing the interview from the Press Room, and I was like, hey, I can do it from my Porch (she Laughs)

ATOTK: Now that’s your comfort zone right there SR: Totally, Totally! ATOTK: So very honoured to chat with you. SR: Awe thank you very much.

ATOTK: So you have a new album coming out? SR: Yup.

ATOTK: And your first single drops October 17th? SR: It’s called Christmas Kisses. Very, VERY exciting! The whole record was just a blast to make! I had the best time ever! Kind of a dream come true for me to make a record like this. So I wrote one of the songs on the record, which is the song Christmas Kisses. And then the rest of the album is Old Classic traditional Christmas Songs. Some of my favourites, since I was a little kid.

ATOTK: Which songs did you pick? SR: Oh yeah for sure I did White Christmas, Let It Snow, Jingle Bell Rock. I remember listening to the version of Jingle Bell Rock when it was on Home Alone and he was, like, by himself making it look like it was a huge party with all of the cut ups and stuff. So it’s just a list of very classic Christmas songs.

ATOTK: Well, once again can’t wait to hear it. SR: Yeah we did the record Bob Ezin produced it. ATOTK: WOW SR: You know, how Epic, right? (He produced) Lou Reed, Pink Floyd. It was an honour to work with him. It was amazing, the musicians were amazing, I just had the greatest time.

ATOTK: You have done so many musical projects and I’m wondering where this rates for you? SR: I totally love it. It was something I always wanted to make a jazz record. I’ve been obsessed since I was a little girl in my room, in Millbrook. Listening over and over again Sarah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald. I learned those songs frontwards and backwards. I wished one day I could make a record like that. And so when Bob Ezrin came to me with this idea for a Christmas Album, I thought WOW, I can do what I always wanted to do, which is classic jazz sound. All live off the floor, instruments all played at the same time with vintage gear vintage microphones. It was amazing!

ATOTK: Sounds to me, a Christmas Album now is perfect timing. SR: I just feel I’m at a point in my life where I’m in a very grateful place, and I think Christmas is about gratitude. I can feel it more as an adult than I’ve ever felt, of all that is important. It’s that magic that’s about family and friends and memories. That feeling of togetherness, and gratitude.

ATOTK: Well spoken. I just was thinking maybe a Halloween Kisses single before Christmas Kisses. Then you would have nailed it all! SR: Maybe a little bit of overkill! LOL

ATOTK: Do you come back to Millbrook for the Christmas Holiday? SR: I’ll go there, but a lot of times I’m on tour. But whenever I am (home), I make sure to get some time with my family, for sure. This year I will be doing it at my home in Toronto. It’s sort of like my first. I’ll build Christmas, which is kind of cool. I’m gonna be decorating the house and making the food.

ATOTK: So Toronto is your primary residence? SR: Yeah, I live in Toronto most of the time, and I also live in LA in the later months of the winter. I go out and do a little bit of writing and a little extra sunshine.

ATOTK: What’s the story behind your name on the Millbrook sign? SR: Well my Mom actually made that sign. Yeah, my Mom’s a Graphic Designer by trade, and she used to be a teacher at George Brown College in Toronto teaching Graphic Design. And now she does her own graphic design for, like, the last 25 to 30 years.

ATOTK: Does your family just go down to the Barber Shop and listen to some music? SR: Do they let them play the music still? I heard there was a little bit of … I mean, yeah, it’s classic, been there forever.

ATOTK: So Simon Wilcox helped you out a bit on this Album? SR: Yeah, she’s amazing! One of my best friends in the world! I actually co-wrote my last record with her, Utopia. I spend a lot of time with her when I’m in LA, we live close to each other and hang out a lot. Writing a Christmas Album with her was kind of a no brainer. She had this idea of a line, “I’ll give you kisses for Christmas”. And it was about the true meaning of Christmas, which is not about gifts, you know? I love the line “I don’t have too much, for my love will it be enough if I give you Kisses for Christmas”.

ATOTK: So do you hang out and sing, like, “Bad Apple” or “Riverboat Fantasy”? (Note: Simon Wilcox is musician David Wilcox’s daughter) SR: Nope we create our own music LOL! ATOTK: You must know I’m more of a hard rock guy. LOL SR: Oh sweet! Well, then you must love my boyfriend’s music. Do you know the band The Trews? He’s the lead singer of The Trews, (Colin MacDonald) so he’s like Rock n Roll. Rock and Roll Canadian Royality. I really like a lot of different styles of music for sure!

ATOTK: So what is your Favorite Christmas meal? SR: My favourite Christmas meal is actually not even a turkey. It’s a Roast, like a big organic Roast Chicken, like, slowly roasted and then the juice to make a gravy. And then I love Whipped Caulifl ower. You ever had that? It’s SOOOO good! So you just steam it. Steam it so it’s, like, falling apart, soft. Then put it in a blender and add a whole bunch of buttermilk, and a little bit of salt, and whip it. And it’s like the creamiest mashed potatoes. Like whipped potatoes. But you can eat a

lot more of it, and it’s better for you. I prefer it. And some chicken gravy on it, and some swiss chard, fresh swiss chard. I get it from the farmers market. So just put it on the frying pan with some olive oil and garlic. It’s so good, it’s amazing!

ATOTK: Sounds Delicious. Now are you touring to support this album? SR: Yes, absolutely! We’re gonna be on tour. I am starting the Christmas Tour out on the East Coast of Canada, like, in December. But I’m doing a whole bunch of shows before that. So yeah, the tour dates will be on my website and multi media.

ATOTK: Lastly, anything you want to say to all your fans out there? SR: That I’m just so excited…I feel that this is really one of the best records that I’ve made, and it’s so close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share it with the world!

ATOTK: Congrats on the new album and thankful to have this conversation with you. SR: Awe, thank you, my pleasure!

ATOTK: I shall now let you enjoy your day with your beverage of choice. Laughing SR: Earl Gray is my beverage of choice. Laughing ATOTK: Well Earl is a lucky guy. SR: Laughing

ATOTK: Be well, and everyone watch for Christmas Kisses! SR: You’re welcome and thanks for the chat!

Tour Dates in December 2018

Wed. Dec 5 Casino Nova Scotia, Halifax NB Thurs. Dec 6 Casino Nova Scotia, Halifax NB Fri. Dec 7 Homberg Theatre, Charlottetown NB Sat. Dec 8 Casino New Brunswick, Moncton NB

Coming to Lindsay in Ontario! Sat. Mar 9 Lindsay Academy Theatre

Click the Album cover to purchase Christmas Kisses today