Artists and Academics Introduces: Aaron Ridge

By M.P. Krugmann

Outside of the management building, sitting contently with a guitar in hand is Aaron Ridge; better known to the UTSC (University of Toronto at Scarborough) crowd as A.J. Estridge. On this beautiful summer afternoon Fusion Radio had the pleasure of sitting down with the promising musician and getting to know what inspires him, how he got here and what drives him to continue down this chosen path.

How did you first get into the music?

Aaron: “Well, my father is a pastor and everyone knows that in a black church you are bound to be exposed to music. Because of my father, I had access to all the instruments in the church, so I just started playing with them and seeing what kind of noises they made.”

Which ones did you initially take a liking to?

Aaron: “I tried most of the instruments that were there, but I definitely took to the drums at first. Then, when I was six, I started piano lessons and continued until I was about thirteen. After that, I started on the saxophone and played in my school's senior jazz band. Now I mainly play the guitar.”

Why did you stop the piano?

Aaron: “I didn’t actually stop, I still play. That’s a funny story, actually. When I was thirteen my piano teacher disappeared; no joke, he fell off the face of the earth. A few weeks after he disappeared his ex-wife called and asked if I wanted to take their piano and obviously I said, “Yes!””

That’s a pretty crazy story. How did your music develop from your teens?

Aaron: “Well, just before I started university, I did a program at Queens University called Seeds in Residence.”

That sounds like an artificial insemination center...

Aaron: “(laughs) I know; it’s a terrible name. Anyway, I was placed into a music production program and that’s where I became interested in producing and was introduced to FL studio. It’s a computer program that allows you to create beats.”

And you’ve been all about the music ever since?

Aaron: “Kind of. I didn’t always put music first. People used to ask me what I wanted to do and I always said music was my plan A, but that I was in university working on my plan B.”

Seems smart…

Aaron: “At first, yeah, it did. But then a friend of mine and I were having a conversation and he pointed out to me that I had made music my plan B because I was putting so much effort into other areas in my life. See, I thought I was being practical, because, let’s face it, no one ever tells artists that their chosen careers in the arts are a good idea. So I changed my strategy and made music my main focus. I’ve been doing it since then.”

So, how would you describe your music?

Aaron: “(laugh) Ahh, well, I’m terrible at categorizing myself. But if I had to choose I would have to say my music is soulish/ folkish.”

Who are your biggest inspirations and why?

Aaron: “I would have to say John Legend because he writes his songs in the same way that I like to write mine: uncomplicated yet meaningful. Let’s take his song “Ordinary People”, it’s just him and a piano, but it’s still powerful.”

Does UTSC inspire you, and if so, how?

Aaron: “Of course it does! I love that it’s a close-knit campus; everyone knows everyone and students are quick to support artists.”

If you could choose one pizza topping that would best describe this campus, what would it be?

Aaron: “Um… I’d have to say a mushroom because they are unassuming and gross in concept, but eventually, they grow on you.”

What about Toronto? Are audiences and labels just as welcoming?

Aaron: “Well, the Toronto crowd is actually really welcoming to new acts. Getting record deals, on the other hand, is difficult. Canadian labels just don’t have the necessary wherewithal to take a local artist and make them international. Look at Drake, he had to leave Toronto in order to get his music out there. Also, I’m not entirely sure new artists should focus on getting record deals when starting out. Personally, I think it’s important to establish a following first and then get the deal. That way when you get signed you have a following that can support your journey as an artist and give you the confidence to stay true to yourself. You know how these companies are, they only care about the money. An unknown artist can lose themselves if their biggest “fan” is their label.”

Is that your dream then, to become famous after you have a following?”

Aaron: “(laughs) yeah it is. I want to be freaking-awesome-famous…but not too famous. Not like Drake or anything, maybe like Lupe Fiasco. I want to be able to fade back into obscurity and say random ridiculous things on Twitter.”

Fusion radio looks forward to your tweets! I can safely say that we’ll definitely be part of your ever growing fan base. Thanks for sitting down with us.

Aaron: “Thank you to the whole Fusion team for being awesome!”

Be sure to check out Aaron Ridge on the UTSC campus during Frosh week and other UTSC events coming to you during the new school year.