BMX
BMX Rider Adam Banton Hopes to Release Third Album
Contribute to Banton’s Kickstarter fundraising project for his latest instrumental album ‘Escapism.’
Adam Banton locks into a hang 5 grind
© Justin Kosman/Red Bull
Adam Banton is known for his original style. The moves he does are incredibly creative and take so much time and effort to dial in they would make a normal person crazy. Sometimes it even makes Adam a little nuts, so he blows off steam by playing guitar, which he does with a similar outside-the-box approach.
With two self-produced CDs already under his belt, Banton is set to release his third but needs a little help. Entitled ‘Escapism,’ the album has been recorded and mixed; all that’s left is the mastering, but with his bank account drained Adam has turned to Kickstarter to raise the funds needed to finish his masterpiece. We talked to him to the get the scoop on the project and his multiple creative outlets…
Adam Banton
© Justin Kosman/Red Bull
redbull.com: How and when did you get into making music?
Adam Banton: I've been playing guitar for about 20 years. My dad always had a banjo and acoustic guitar around the house; he didn't play often, but just seeing those while growing up had an influence on me. One day he asked if I wanted an electric guitar that a buddy at work was giving away. Somehow I acquired an old tube amp soon after -- it was a half-stack and smoke would start coming out of the back after about an hour of playing.
BMX brought me into music at a young age also. Injuries swayed me into spending my down time off the bike playing guitar, and it didn't take long for me to get bored with learning someone else's songs. I was more drawn to making my own noise and songs on a 4-track recorder I traded some bike parts for.
You can't just wake up one day and decide to learn ‘Stairway to Heaven’ in one try.
Is making music sometimes as frustrating as riding can be when learning something new?
Absolutely. You need patience with both. The main difference I have learned in music is that you have to use your brain. There are a ton of things to learn and memorize just to play someone else's songs or guitar parts. There’s no way around it -- you have to put in your time and practice.
With riding there is obviously a big physical element to it; if you’re strong enough to three-hop a nine-stair then you can just wake up one day and decide to try fifteen stairs. With guitar, you can't just wake up one day and decide to learn ‘Stairway to Heaven’ in one try.
Adam Banton, barspin rocket icepick grind
© Justin Kosman/Red Bull
Do you get the same fulfillment from music as you do from riding?
It's different and the same. I can do the smallest thing with either, and it can totally make me feel like all the frustration, pain, and hard work is worth it. It could be something new I learn on my bike, even if it's getting something filmed that I have wanted to try for a long time, or finding a new favorite ditch or ledge. Or, with music, finding a new tuning on guitar (which I love to experiment with).
It always amazes me that a quick strum of that new chord or trying a new grind or riding a new spot can bring the best feelings to me. It’s something money can't buy and not everyone can experience.
How is this album different than your previous two?
It's not just me this time. I still play acoustic (guitar). I hired my friend Jeff Livingston as producer, and he played bass and piano, did song arrangement, and was co-writer on some tracks. He helped mix it -- he did so much and put a lot of energy into this and he did it amazingly. I'm very lucky to have his talents all over this record.
Ron Marschall is on drums, Matt Wiser is on pedal steel, and Ray Barbee is on guitar. With Jeff's help and everyone supporting the record, a lot of things fell into place as we started the two-week recording process. I hit the lottery of talent for the people on this thing. The end result is something I never thought Escapism could be, thanks to their passion and talents. It came out so well!
Ron Marschall, Jeff Livingston, Ray Barbee, Banton
© Courtesy of Adam Banton
Is there a story behind the name of the album?
It's weird, the one thing I didn’t stress over was the name of the record. Escapism was in the back of my head for a long time with some other names; over time it stayed and felt right. Music helps people escape. This entire record is instrumental and has a very desert, southwest feel. Perfect for a long drive or road trip.
Why did you decide to do a Kickstarter project?
The record is mixed and sounds awesome. Everyone put a lot into it, and even with favors and these guys doing it for the passion, it still cost me money. I tried to take care of everyone somehow with what little money I had for this, but it became so much more involved, things added up…
I didn't want to limit the quality of the record by not being able to finish it professionally, the way it really needs to be, and that is by mastering it. I learned that Kickstarter is a lot of work, but it will be amazing and all worth it if we can reach our goal!
Who would win in a fight, music or riding?
They are always fighting each other. One is always in the lead, but they take turns. It's a constant battle in my head. I feel guilty if I can't do both every day.
Help Adam reach his goal -- the deadline to fund his Kickstarter project is Saturday, December 7.
