I first saw Ronnie Stone play last July at David Blaine's the Steakhouse in Brooklyn. The venue was filled with fog, a billowing cloud that made it difficult to see even the people packed shoulder-to-shoulder around me. Through the haze, a single leather boot appeared atop the set of stairs leading down to the stage. It was Ronnie. He descended, strutting down the steps in time with a pulsing drumbeat. There was a keytar strapped across his chest like an assault rifle.
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The fog began to dissipate, and the band was revealed: the Lonely Riders in full regalia. Leather, studs, piles of necklaces, and neon flair that could have been swiped from a booth at an intergalactic biker bar. Ronnie joined his Riders, and they launched into a 45-minute set spilling over with drum solos, choreographed two-steps, and disembodied, Kool-Aid Man declarations of "Oh, yeah."To just call Ronnie Stone and the Lonely Riders a "band" would be a disservice, and to label what they do "performance art" would be misleading. Each aspect of their aesthetic is as finessed and nuanced as the last—the music is as strong as their costume design and their Ziggy Stardust–esque retro-futuristic band narrative is just as engaging as their live show.Ronnie Stone and the Lonely Riders are a new group, but they have arrived fully formed. Their goal, if they would ever admit to having one, is to invite their audience to do away with their bleak, earthen existence and join the Lonely Riders in a universe governed by motorcycles, lonely desert landscapes, and copious amounts of leather. Listen to their new song, titled "<3 Race. Cold Sweat. Nu Dance. Do It." and just go with it.
VICE: This is only the second song you guys have released, but I feel like you've been famous for years.
Ronnie Stone: What makes you say that?Your first show was packed and people were freaking out even before you had officially released any music.
Some of the songs had been circulating at dance parties and colleges throughout the New York area long before that first show. We gave out very little information, and that helped raise some intrigue. I think people are naturally attracted to mystery, and that's something we try to take advantage of as much as possible. The show at David Blaine's was the first time a lot of people were being invited into the world of Ronnie Stone, so it was kind of pulling back the veil. It was a great success.
Ronnie Stone: What makes you say that?Your first show was packed and people were freaking out even before you had officially released any music.
Some of the songs had been circulating at dance parties and colleges throughout the New York area long before that first show. We gave out very little information, and that helped raise some intrigue. I think people are naturally attracted to mystery, and that's something we try to take advantage of as much as possible. The show at David Blaine's was the first time a lot of people were being invited into the world of Ronnie Stone, so it was kind of pulling back the veil. It was a great success.
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Every time I've seen you guys I'm always blown away by how well-rehearsed and choreographed everything is. What goes into putting together a Ronnie Stone live show?
It's hard to answer that because the process is both technical and spiritual. We train and prepare for months before each show. Day of, we arrive on site as early as possible so we can have enough time to perfect the lighting, stage design, and sound. We're lucky enough to have a large crew working with us to help with physical labor. This whole process allows us to transform any space into our ideal environment.That's a lot of work just for one set.
It is a lot of work, but by setting up a venue like this, we can transform the space into something special and new. We want you to transform once you step inside.I think a huge part of that is how theatrical the live show is, it kind of bridges the gap between music and performance art.
It helps us to envision each performance as an event, rather than a show. Having that mentality is our framework for turning audience members from spectators to participants. We want you to lose yourself in both our music and our world.That's a pretty big undertaking. Is going on tour even a prospect for you guys at this point?
Touring is definitely a part of our future, but we'll need to figure out a lot of logistics. We have a very specific set of standards that must be met by every venue we play, and we're willing to wait until we have the resources necessary to make this possible.I feel like Ronnie Stone has a real story to tell, something in these songs makes me feel like there's a much broader narrative at play.
Absolutely. There is a story to tell. You'll see various characters, motifs, and places recur as the album progresses.So have you in effect created some sort of concept album?
If only my life were as simple as a concept.Tickets for the next Ronnie Stone show go on sale today.
It's hard to answer that because the process is both technical and spiritual. We train and prepare for months before each show. Day of, we arrive on site as early as possible so we can have enough time to perfect the lighting, stage design, and sound. We're lucky enough to have a large crew working with us to help with physical labor. This whole process allows us to transform any space into our ideal environment.That's a lot of work just for one set.
It is a lot of work, but by setting up a venue like this, we can transform the space into something special and new. We want you to transform once you step inside.I think a huge part of that is how theatrical the live show is, it kind of bridges the gap between music and performance art.
It helps us to envision each performance as an event, rather than a show. Having that mentality is our framework for turning audience members from spectators to participants. We want you to lose yourself in both our music and our world.That's a pretty big undertaking. Is going on tour even a prospect for you guys at this point?
Touring is definitely a part of our future, but we'll need to figure out a lot of logistics. We have a very specific set of standards that must be met by every venue we play, and we're willing to wait until we have the resources necessary to make this possible.I feel like Ronnie Stone has a real story to tell, something in these songs makes me feel like there's a much broader narrative at play.
Absolutely. There is a story to tell. You'll see various characters, motifs, and places recur as the album progresses.So have you in effect created some sort of concept album?
If only my life were as simple as a concept.Tickets for the next Ronnie Stone show go on sale today.