Ryan Mitchell is currently working on many projects, including mixing other artists' work, setting up a record label and collaborating on side projects. On top of all that, he also finds time to work on his main project, Pivotal Movement. I got the chance to ask Ryan some questions, and here's what he had to say!

First of all, how did Pivotal Movement start?

Pivotal Movement has been a project in the works my whole life….I just hadn’t really realized it until about a year ago. I have been singing and performing for as long as I can remember and started creating electronic music about 8 years ago. All of it came together when I started writing love songs to a girl. It felt so “right” to put my electronic production skills and vocals into something that I was so passionate about at the time. That affair slowly drifted away, but Pivotal Movement kept on growing into what it is now.

Is there any story behind how you chose 'Pivotal Movement' as a name?

Pivotal Movement is what popped into my head every time I envisioned this project. I can’t really explain exactly why I chose the name or what it means to me, it’s all very conceptual, but basically I wanted to make music that moved people, that was new and fresh, that could lend itself to emotions of love, passion, current events, personal situations….music that people could connect with.

What have you been doing recently music-wise?

Well I have, obviously, Pivotal Movement which is constantly evolving. I also produce music under another alias called The Dragon. It’s a more raw, gritty and often darker electronic sound. It ranges from elements of drum ‘n’ bass to trip-hop to lounge. It’s not really a specific genre of electronic, because I enjoy so many types of music. It’s sometimes smooth, sometimes rough, sometimes just plain emotional. I have a continuing project with a vocalist that is entitled “Touch”. I also am collaborating on various projects with other artists from Unknown Frequency to Echostream and remixing some music for Ben Forrest Davis; formally the drummer for Sugarcult.

How would you describe your music?

It has elements of a lot of music in it, because of my varying tastes. I would say a combination of electronic, emo, and indie-lo fi. It also depends on what kind of project I’m working on and what’s going on in my life….as with any artist I would imagine.

What kind of equipment do you use to create your music?

PC, Midi Controller, Roland Fantom, Reason, Cubase SX, M-Audio Solaris, Mackie DFX 12, Delta 10/10, Fruity Loops, various VST instruments, a guitar, my mind ha!

Is Pivotal Movement your actual job or is it something you do in your spare time?

Pivotal Movement is my job. I actually have two jobs. I am a career Firefighter Paramedic. I work 24 hours and then get 48 hours. So I get to partake in my passion for Firefighting and Para medicine for 24 hours, and my passion for music in my 48 hours off. I am also currently starting up a label with my friend and business partner who is also the lead singer for Unknown Frequency.

What are some of your favourite current bands?

I am currently absolutely in love with Telefon Tel Aviv!!! They are so good. A wonderful “hybridization” of electronic music and organic, acoustic elements. I am also definitely digging Midwest Product. TV on The Radio is a great group as well.

How about all-time favourites?

Lali Puna, The Postal Service, DJ Diesel Boy, Hybrid, Adam F, Goldie, DNTEL, Aphex Twin, Square Pusher, Mos Def, Akrobatik, Everything But the Girl, Groove Armada, The Get Up Kids, Death Cab For Cutie, The Promise Ring, Jimmy Eat World, Common, Figurine, Mobb Deep, The Roots, Goldfrapp, Hooverphonic, D’Angelo, Maxwell, Most artists from OM Records as well as Naked Music, Andy Caldwell, Blue Six, Lisa Shaw, Photek, Wagon Christ, Jurrasic 5, A Tribe Called Quest, Linkin Park, Ming and FS…..I just love music…I could keep going and going, what can I say.

If you could meet anyone famous, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

The Dali Lama, I feel pretty close to a lot of his views on human society and how we interact with each other. Ghandi, because, well it’s Gandhi….what else can I say. Darwin. The famous Samurai Saigo Takamori, because I believe in fighting for justice and honor. William Wallace, because I also believe in his fight…and I’m Scotts-Irish damnit! Ha!

If you could star in the remake of any film, what would it be and who would you play?

Saving Private Ryan…not necessarily a remake, but just play a part in that movie. It’s a great WWII movie and one of the few wars I actually believe we should have been involved in. I also am a huge fan of Heat, I would have liked to have played a part in that movie. Michael Collins, because that is also another epic story and a great film and a just fight. Gangs of New York….I could have done Leo’s part ha! Any Akira Kurosawa movie. Swingers, because there are so many parts of that movie that are me. Napoleon Dynamite….that was just a damn funny movie! You’re talking to a guy who attended schools that specialized in theatre all through middle school and high school, I mean come on! I would love to act in movies, what can I say?

What have you got planned next?

Pushing forward with Pivotal Movement, it is due to be mixed very soon and released in mid Jan. As well, open up my label in Jan. That’s a big deal for me. I am so tired of the radio not playing what we want to hear. I am so tired of big corporate labels shoving mindless financially driven music down our throats. I love underground music. I think it is what keeps the mainstream on their toes and is what gives us the music that we have today. It is so vital that a voice be given to the underground. That is what I am here to do. Force of Change Records will not be just an electronic label, just an emo label, just a punk label, or just a hip-hop label. Force of Change Records will be an underground label and will continue to grow as one.

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to add or promote?

Sign up to my mailing list @ www.pivotalmovement.com PLEASE!!!!! It’s one of the few ways I can keep in touch with you. I am also up on myspace and purevolume.

www.forceofchangerecords.com That’s my record label. Check it out, sign up to the mailing list, and support the underground. The initial roster is more electronic, but will be expanding to encompass the likes of emo, punk, hip-hop, indie-lo fi and anything that is fresh and new, underground and born out of musical merit, not financial gain. Peace!

Thanks a lot to Ryan for taking the time to answer my questions, and as he said, you can find out more about Pivotal Movement at the site www.pivotalmovement.com. I'd like to say Good Luck with his record label too!