Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Ben Rankin

Ben Rankin - Save Your Tears

Delving into the heart of his music, "Save Your Tears" explores themes of individuality and self-expression. Drawing from personal experiences of facing manipulation and societal pressures, Ben Rankin's lyrics capture the essence of breaking free from imposed ideologies and embracing one's true self. Recorded in his home studio, this DIY approach adds an intimate touch to the track, reflecting Ben's creative process and dedication to his craft. As the lead single off his upcoming fifth studio album, 'In Memoriam,' slated for release on February 27, 2026, Ben Rankin sets the stage for a musical journey that promises to captivate listeners and leave a lasting impact on the industry.

Interview with Ben Rankin

(º)> What personal experiences inspired the themes of individuality and self-expression in “Save Your Tears”?

I think the easy accessibility of social media and getting fed every opinion from left, right and centre onto your phone has made it very easy for people not to think for themselves based on what an influencer or someone they look up to has to say. On a personal level, I have met people in my life that have tried to manipulate my way of thinking and this song is really just about trying to be your own person regardless of what anyone else has to say about it.

(º)> How did recording in your home studio influence the intimacy and emotion of the track?

Writing and recording at home is extremely therapeutic for me because I see it as my safe space and the place where whatever I’m feeling, I can just let it all out. Also producing it myself allows be to just have the one person (myself) listening to it and I’m not worrying about what anyone else has to say about it.

(º)> How do you balance your rock/metal influences with pop sensibilities from artists like Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi?

I’ve been making music since 2018 and all the stuff I’d release for the first 4-5 years was acoustic music. It’s also not a secret to those who know me that I love Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi. It’s easy to bag on them and I get it, but I personally think that they are incredible songwriters. They were big influences for me early on because they can use either these grand-sweeping metaphors or they can go straight to the point and you know exactly what they’re singing about. When I started making heavier music, I still wanted to keep those 2 in the back of my mind. I think I best displayed that on my last record, Welcome To My House back in 2024. That album did have it’s heavier moments but then there was these bare-boned ballads, particularly a song called “Can’t Keep Holding On” which was inspired by “How I’m Feeling Now” by Lewis Capaldi.

(º)> What message do you hope listeners take away about breaking free from manipulation and societal pressures?

It’s so easy to be caught up in the whirlwind of social media. I’ve done it, I’m not perfect, but it’s okay to just be your own person with your own opinions. And if that makes a few people upset, then so be it.

(º)> How does “Save Your Tears” set the tone for your upcoming album ‘In Memoriam’?

It was probably the hardest time I’ve had picking the first single. It’s been so easy for the last couple of albums, Welcome To My House had “Lifeline” and the album before, Diary of a Tortured Mind had “Say Goodbye” but for this album, I was writing without thinking about which one would be the lead single. Ultimately, I chose this song because it’s one of the songs that encompasses everything that is on the album. It’s got heavy riffs, roaring screams, a catchy chorus, breakdowns and guitar solos. Looking back, it was kind of a no-brainer and sets the stage for what people can expect from this album.

(º)> Which lyrics or moments in the song feel the most personally significant to you?

The first few lines, “Tell me all about how it’s all in my head. I’m sick and tired of being scared to death” perfectly sums up the lyrical themes of the song because I’m saying it just how it is.

(º)> How has your approach to self-producing music evolved since your 2023 Acoustic EP?

It’s evolved immensely. I personally think that the music I released this year and leading into this new album has been leaps and bounds better than anything I’ve ever made. While I still love the old songs, I just think these new songs have more of a professional sound where you can actually question whether or not it was made by a kid in his room or if it was made in an professional recording studio.

(º)> How do you blend themes of mental health with love and emotional storytelling in your music?

I like to talk about subjects that can make people think and if they can relate it to their own lives, that’s great! Most of the things that I talk about in my songs have actually happened and I can tell a story based off of that. I think that gives the songs more emotion if I’m telling it how it is, it makes the lyrics feel more raw and heartfelt.

(º)> What challenges did you face in creating a song that spans high-energy metal and heartfelt ballad styles?

There are definitely moments more on the other songs from ‘In Memoriam’ where this was the case but this song was relatively easy. I think it was more a case of trying to make it sound cohesive and flow well structurally.

(º)> How do you see your music connecting with fans of both heavier rock and contemporary pop?

It’s definitely become a lot easier for artists and bands to cross genres and fanbases. We’ve seen it happen with Bad Omens, Sleep Token and Poppy. I like to think that the music I make has a lot of variety. On this new album, there’s songs that are really heavy and aggressive, there’s some uplifting rock tunes, going into almost pop punk territory. But there are also songs that do contain pop elements. A big challenge when it came to vocals and writing was making sure that every chorus on the album was an ear worm which is something that every pop artist and writer aspires to do, and I genuinely think I’ve done that here.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out Ben Rankin on the Pigeon Spins Playlist