Accordionist Extraordinaire

Vienna-based accordionist, Ryan Simpson has toured Europe, starred on TV talent shows, and wowed crowds with pop hits, folk tunes, and unexpected surprises. Ryan will bring his energetic, fun-filled show to Fringe Festivals across the country. Nelson Magazine catches up with him prior to his Fringe Festival debut.

When did you start playing the accordion?

I actually only picked up the instrument about nine years ago. Back at my university in the USA there was a German instructor that I came to know. At some point he had learned to play the accordion and decided to start teaching students to play as well. On Fridays, as a reward for a week of hard work, he would bring in some accordions and sing German folk songs with the class. Those who had learned to play some accordion would play along with him, and the rest would sing.

I spent a semester in Brazil in 2015, and while I was there, I got an email from him. He asked me all about my time in Brazil, and said that when I get back, I should pick up a new language and take his German class. And while I'm at it he could teach me the accordion. I decided to take him up on both offers, taking a semester of German and going to his office for a few basic accordion lessons. I can't say I mastered either skill (German or the accordion) in my short time learning from him, but I kept going with both.

You work as a teacher in Vienna – do you play the accordion for your students?

The past few years, I was teaching English in schools in Vienna, although I’m not teaching at the moment, as I go on this big tour across the world. But when I was teaching, I did bring the accordion in a few times. I was actually also on an Austrian talent show last year and some of my students saw me on it – a few of the younger ones started asking me for my autograph after class.

What do you love most about the accordion?

I don’t know how to describe it, but it just fits me as a person. It’s actually not my first instrument – I grew up playing the trumpet – but I’ve really fallen in love with the accordion since I started learning. It’s just such a fun, happy instrument. Folks can’t help but smile when they hear a bit of accordion. And it’s also underrated how versatile it is. It can play pretty much any kind of music, whether that’s folk music, classical, or even pop. And it’s portable enough that you can still move and dance with it. Lastly, I love that it’s a bit out of the ordinary. I think it spices things up to be a bit unique, and the accordion really helps me do that. I don’t think my show would hit the same way if I played the guitar, for example.

What sort of music do you play in your show?

In my show, I play everything you would never expect to hear on the accordion! But more specifically, I play pop music from all different sorts of artists and eras. The exact playlist sometimes varies, but you could hear anything from Flo Rida, to Britney Spears, to Queen, all in one show. The biggest focus is on playing things that people can have fun singing along to. I play some tunes that are a bit naughty as well, so my show definitely isn’t for prudes! But there’s still a good mix of things, so a wide variety of ages will enjoy it.

Do you take requests in your show?

I would love to, but there’s a few reasons I usually don’t! When I’ve played shows where I have a bit more time, I’ll sometimes take requests, and when someone requests something that I know and can just play on the spot, it’s really impressive. But the issue is, I don’t always know the words to the song that’s requested, which can be a bit awkward. One thing I love to do in Edinburgh is to ask where people are from. I’ve lived a lot of places and can speak a fair number of languages, so it’s fun to sometimes surprise people with songs from their own country. For example, at one of my Edinburgh shows this past year, there was a large group in from Denmark, where I spent a semester of my masters – I broke out a Danish rap song on my accordion and they were quite amused by it.

Do people in different countries respond differently to your show?

I do think that people in different countries appreciate my art a bit differently. I’ve lived in Austria for a while, and while they enjoy it, they’re a bit more reserved. They’re not the quickest to really loudly sing along. In the UK they’re a bit better about that, as they also are in the USA. I’m curious how they’ll be over in New Zealand. You seem like a friendly bunch, but hopefully you’ll also be ready to let loose, and loudly sing along.

You’ve been on a few TV talent shows – tell me a bit about them.

It was quite the experience to be on BGT. As I kid in the USA, I grew up watching America’s Got Talent, so I never expected I’d be on such a program, let alone one in a different country. It was a bit surreal to be standing in front of Simon Cowell, and then to be shaking my booty in front of him as well. The whole day of filming was a lot of fun as well. For me, it was a delight to be in front of a camera all day, talking about my life and taking photos. And I especially had a fun time walking around Soho playing my accordion while camera crews followed behind me – I felt like a bona fide star!

For me, the only disappointment was not getting in the competition. Unfortunately, while the people in the audience absolutely loved me, the judges weren’t as kind. But I’m confident I could’ve put on a real show in the semifinals, as I had some good stuff planned.

As mentioned, I was also on an Austrian talent show last year. There the crowd loved me as well, but I also got great feedback from the judges. Just like on BGT, it was a great experience and I met a lot of amazing artists backstage.

Is this the first time you’ve been to Nelson? What Fringe Festivals are you performing at?

This is my first time in Nelson, as well as my first time in New Zealand. I’m doing a whole tour to various different festivals in both New Zealand and Australia. I’ll be starting out at FRINGE WORLD Perth, before heading over to the Adelaide Fringe. I’ll then be hopping over to New Zealand, where I’ll be performing at the New Zealand Fringe in Wellington, as well as the Nelson Fringe and Dunedin Fringe. Finally, I’ll be going back to Melbourne for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

What are you most looking forward to about Nelson?

I’ve heard New Zealand is absolutely gorgeous, and I can’t wait to see it with my own eyes. I’ll be sure to spend some time outdoors, whether it be swimming at Tahuna Beach or a walk up to the Centre of New Zealand. The Saturday Market is also supposed to be lovely, so I’ll make sure to get there as well. And then of course, I’ll check out the cafes and bars around Nelson. Looking forward to spending some time at Yaza Cafe where I’m performing, and to hear from the locals what else they’d recommend I check out.

However, perhaps the thing I’m most looking forward to is the chance to meet the other artists performing at the festival. Fringe festivals are a really great place to get to know other folks who are doing some amazing art. It’s the smallest of the three festivals I’m doing in New Zealand, but smaller festivals tend to have a really nice atmosphere where you really get to know the other artists, as well as the festival organizers. While larger festivals like Edinburgh or Adelaide are fun as well, there’s something really special about the community that can be built in a cozier setting. I’ve heard from performers who have done the Nelson Fringe in past years that it’s a great time – this high praise is one of the major reasons I ended up coming here.

Nelson Fringe Festival, 6-15 March
www.nelsonfringe.co.nz