I’ve been listening to a lot of Trent Reznor
I am not even really sure if I can even say why
There is just something about him that just speaks to me
I am not sure I can find the words, but here let me try
I would imagine it has something to do with angst
I think he speaks a lot to my inner teenager
I like the noise, I like the rage, I like the destroyed beauty
I think perhaps it might be a lot of his honest nature
It seems to me that he does what he wants
He makes the music that he wants to write
I don’t think he likes to bow down to label pressure
He has a loud bark but can have a terrible bite
He isn’t for everyone but to me he is a hero
His voice resonating inside me just can’t be ignored
Say what you want but he was covered by Johnny Cash
And he won a motherfucking academy award

I may not know art but I like what I know
I think an artist should be honest and true
So make the art you want to make, you know?
Be who you are and do what you do
I think the secret is to do it and let yourself grow
Don’t try to be the best or the smartest
Though who am I and what do I really know?
I’m just Ryan Spence, Pretend Artist

I’ve been listening to a lot of Amanda Palmer
She is a more recent addition to my listening pleasure
I sort of wish I had discovered her sooner
She is becoming quiet the lovely treasure (I mean that in the british way)
There always seems to be controversy around her
I guess she can rub people the wrong way
That may be part of the appeal for me
I’m a bit of a shit disturber, what can I say

But what I think I really love about her
It is the honesty coming from her I really feel
She is outspoken and opinionated and in your face
And above all else I have no doubt she is real
I guess what I think is the most important that
Is really about the way her music can make me feel
I will gladly admit I would love a chance to kiss her
Now that I mention it I’d also happily kiss Neil

I may not know art but I like what I know
I think an artist should be honest and true
So make the art you want to make, you know?
Be who you are and do what you do
I think the secret is to do it and let yourself grow
Don’t try to be the best or the smartest
Though who am I and what do I really know?
I’m just Ryan Spence, Pretend Artist

I’ve been listening to a lot of Tom Waits
I am not sure if I could make a better choice
Now that is certainly someone I can call artist
But please don’t let me try and do the voice
I really like that Tom is such a story teller
Weaving tales of the seedy underbelly of humanity
They are gritty, and raw and full of beauty and horror
There is a touch of humour to be found in all that insanity

Once again as an artist he seems very honest
Being the kind of performer that he wants to be
Looking at it I realize that honesty is something
That is clearly very important to me
I know there are some people who don’t like his voice
It doesn’t matter, because it is my heart he stole
Those of us that love him, just love him to death
You gotta keep detractors way down in the hole

I may not know art but I like what I know
I think an artist should be honest and true
So make the art you want to make, you know?
Be who you are and do what you do
I think the secret is to do it and let yourself grow
Don’t try to be the best or the smartest
Though who am I and what do I really know?
I’m just Ryan Spence, Pretend Artist