Interview with Chris Ning

Chris Ning – Being an indie artist means to be free - by Mel in Toronto

You would never guess that the man behind the powerful voice in Chris Ning & VII Days II Perfection is only 19 years old. His classical vocal training is evident in the wide range, precision, and full body of his voice. This Canadian artist, who lives close to Toronto, is our sixth indieMortal7.

Chris Ning co-writes his music and lyrics with his father Tony, who has been writing music since he was 15 years old. Sitting in a coffee shop in Toronto next to his son and wife, Tony admits that "I've been writing for a long time, but I am not a great singer, so I was waiting for him [Chris] to be born to sing some of my tunes." The father-son co-operation works really well. Being influenced by classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, but also by bands like Korn and singers like Chris Cornell, their music delivers a perfect blend of all the goodness in classic epic rock songs, with modern influences that give the music a distinctive edge.

Chris Ning has a lot of support from his parents, Tony and Julia. Although he was already singing when he was six years old, it wasn't until he was eleven or twelve when "he got a lot of solos in the art school. He demonstrated a lot of talent. That was the point where I thought we have to do something and show other people what he can do," Tony says. Four years ago they started working on Chris Ning's current album ‘Losing My Faith'. This album contains many dark songs: "That's a lot of my doing. Growing up as a teenager, you are in a different place. I am getting happier now. When we first started writing, every time I sat down to write, I wasn't really happy," Chris says. He smiles.

And he has good reason to smile. The ten-song album ‘Losing My Faith' is something Chris and Tony can be proud of. Most of the songs are rock songs, but there is also a ballad on the album. "FOR YOU is one of the songs for when you are down; that are supposed to be uplifting," Chris explains. He was writing this song "when I was really down at one time. I was in a band before and some friendships have fallen apart because of it." In this song the way Chris sings is really reminiscent of Robert Plant. According to Chris, the title song LOSING MY FAITH "is about what people don't understand, when they question what happens in their life." With it, he hopes they will find the strength to go through difficult times. WORLD UNDONE "is a very political song, a very open your eyes type of song," Chris explains, "politicians, large corporations that are ignoring what's happening to the planet and they'd rather make money or war over peace."

Watch out for upcoming tour dates for Chris Ning & VII Days II Perfection.

"In your own words" – ONE on ONE with Mel and Chris

Mel: Why was it important to you to be an indieMortal?

Chris: It is important, because, obviously, the great exposure that you get on indieSolo. And to be honoured by something like that, really gets a lot of respect by other musicians. I believe that in order to achieve any success in the business, you have to be respected by your own, by musicians. I think my spot at indieSolo really represents that I am a good artist and I think that is important.

Mel: Who are your influences?

Chris: I have a lot of influences: from Madonna to Chris Cornell, from Stevie Wonder to Korn, it is very eclectic. I wouldn't say that there is one person who really influenced me; however, I would say Led Zeppelin, if I have to choose someone, just because he is so raw.

Mel: What does it mean to you to be an indie artist?

Chris: That's a tricky question. I like to have control over my creative do's and what I do with my music. I really don't like the fact that when you get signed by a major record label, they coordinate everything that you have to do. They say that you have to be this way and that way. I like to be myself and that allows me to make a more free album. So that is what it means to me: to be free.

Mel: What would you like to achieve with your music?

Chris: I would like to achieve international success, like a lot of artists would. I would like to get to people with a message. I want people to understand the music. I want people to enjoy it. I want to see people singing my song in an audience while I am on stage, I think that's what I would like to achieve.

Mel: Which artist would you like to record a song with and why?

Chris: That's a tricky question. If I had to choose I would probably have to say Chris Cornell, because I find the musicality of a lot of his songs very different from what we hear today. Working with someone like that, so creative, so intense about what they do, would come off really well. I would love to work with someone like that.

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