Entrevista: Ryan Dusick (English)
In October 2010, Maroon 5 Brasil asked fans to submit questions for an interview with Ryan Dusick, former drummer of Kara’s Flowers/Maroon 5 that left the band in 2006 due to Arm injuries, being replaced by Matt Flynn. Via e-mail, Ryan replied 10 questions and talked about the early years of Kara’s Flowers, leaving Maroon 5 and what he’s up to now, check it out:
When did you, Jesse, Mickey and Adam decided to start a band? – Mayara Viana
— Adam and I knew each other as little kids, and we started a band together when we were just starting to play our instruments, but it wasn’t until years later in high school that we started Kara’s Flowers/Maroon 5. I was playing in the school band with a lot of older kids that eventually went off to college, so I reunited with Adam when he was a freshman and I was a junior. I knew he could sing, so I wanted to start a band with him, but he was already in a band with Jesse & Mickey. Jesse asked me if I would consider joining their band, which I initially declined, but after we played together in the school band a few times, I realized we had a good chemistry together, so we started Kara’s Flowers on February 5-6, 1994. We became Maroon 5 in 2001, when James joined the group.
Did you expect that Maroon 5 would become a worldwide phenomenon? – Marcela Ghislandi
— We always had fantasies of being the biggest band in the world, and I think as teenagers we really believed that it was possible. Our faith got shaken a bit after the Kara’s Flowers album didn’t take off, but I think we had a renewed belief in our potential when we started writing the M5 songs, only with maybe a little more realistic perspective that time around. So yes, I think we believed we could become a worldwide phenomenon, but I wouldn’t say we ‘expected’ it.
What was the hardest thing you went through when you left M5? – Rayane Fernanda
— Well, honestly, it was a very difficult time for me, so I don’t know if I could pinpoint one feeling or emotion. It was a tough transition getting used to the idea that I wouldn’t be participating in the life of the band any more. We had been working for so long to get where we got, and we finally experienced the fruit of our labors, enjoying success & everything that comes with it. To have that taken away to a certain extent was a tough pill to swallow, but in retrospect, I don’t think I was really cut out for the lifestyle of constant touring, so it was probably for the best.
How is your relationship now with the other guys from Maroon 5? – Alejandra Torres
— I think my relationship with them is pretty good at this point. They’re supportive of me, and I’m supportive of them, so there’s no bad blood or anything like that. You have to remember that we were a group of best friends from a young age and for a very long time, so at this point when I see them, it’s almost like seeing my brothers. It was difficult understanding what our relationship would be after I left the band, but I think we’re just family at this point. I don’t spend as much time with them as I’d like to, because our lives are in different places now, but we see each other when we can. Adam & I communicate from time to time, and it’s always just silly banter, like when we were teenagers.
Are there any plans for you to get back with the band? – Roberta Menegare
— No, there are no plans for me to get back with the band, but I would love to believe that we could collaborate in some small way in the future. I’ve been working on the production side of things for the last few years, so I would certainly enjoy the idea of working with the guys at some point, though it would probably be weird after all this time. I think we collaborated well when I was in the band, so I like to think that I could offer something to them in the future, but it would probably take some serious desire on both sides for something like that to happen.
Do you have a Twitter account? – Priscila Martins
— No. I’m always late to the game when it comes to technology. I had a MySpace page for a little while, and I had a Facebook page for a while, but I decided they weren’t a good use of my time, so I cancelled them. Haven’t tried twitter yet.
Can you reveal to the fans what does Maroon 5 mean? – Amanda Marquette
— No. Unfortunately, I am sworn to secrecy on the subject. I think we’re all taking that one to the grave.
What are your next projects? – Juliana Silva
— I produced a record for a band called The Remainers in 2010, which you can find on iTunes. I think it turned out really great. They were a band that used to be called Big City Rock, and before that The Siren Six. We played with them in both incarnations going back to the 90s, so they’re old friends of ours. They approached me about working with them on an EP, and I loved the idea, so we worked for a few months on their record, and we were all happy with the result. I’m working with another band called Former Future right now, whom I’ve been helping develop for the last couple years. We’re finally finishing up an EP for them right now, so that should be available on iTunes in 2011. Keep a lookout!
Do you have a strange fan-story to share? – Paulo Rocha
— Well, I have kind of a funny fan/celebrity story… we were at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy Awards party one year, and a man came over to us and asked us if we’d like to meet Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin). Being enormous fans, we of course jumped at the chance. When we got over to his table, he stood up and said, “Hey guys, I’m a big fan of yours!” That just kind of made my head explode. You don’t expect an idol of yours to tell you that he’s a fan of yours!
What’s the best advice you ever got? – Caroline Azulay
— I’m not really one for quotations and sayings, so I won’t quote Ghandi or anything like that, but I will say that all of the guys in our band had very good, supportive parents, so I think we had a pretty healthy perspective on life and where we were going. We all knew we had to follow our dreams, but we learned to be realistic in terms of expectations and to try to be good people in the process. I know that’s kind of vague, but I guess what I’m saying is that it’s good to pursue your dreams, but it’s also good to have a healthy perspective on the ways that life can work out great sometimes, but it can also disappoint you at times. If you’re prepared for whatever comes, good or bad, things will work out well in the end.
Can you leave a message for Maroon 5 Brazil?
— Hello Maroon 5 Brazil! It’s so exciting to think that there’s a whole nation of people all the way down in South America that love & support our music, so thank you so much! I’m sure the guys in the band feel the same way that I do, but I’m half Latin-American, so it’s extra special for me to know that Latin-America likes the music we made. Much love!
For more information about The Remainers, check out their Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you Ryan Dusick for the honor and our affiliates Maroon 5 Colombia, Maroon 5 Argentina and Maroon 5 Mexico for the questions!