For some creatives, crafting one album takes everything they have, and they struggle to replicate the success of their first passion project. Visionaries like Ron Brunk prove that creativity isn’t a finite resource—he has 34 albums to back it up. His mind, heart, and soul hold a vast library of music and lyrical insights—a reservoir of inspiration that shows no signs of running dry. He has a gift for tapping into the complexity of the human experience with nuance and versatility—he can be gentle, loud, mellow, ebullient, and everything in between. At his core, he’s a storyteller, an artist wielding his pen to channel raw emotion and lived experience—especially the most vulnerable moments—into fully immersive tracks and visuals that leave listeners in awe. No two songs or albums are alike—and for a seasoned professional like Ron—methodical experimentation comes naturally. Guided by his spirituality, he continues his journey toward happiness, wholeness, and inspiration—bringing his fans along for the ride.
“You Make Me Crazy” is an electrifying ode to primal passion—an immersive plunge into what Ron calls “joyful dying.” Falling into a deeply passionate love affair can feel intoxicating, addicting, and paralyzing. The narrator is swept into the rip current of his lover—and he surrenders willingly, reveling in the glorious wreckage. A prime example of the sultry, shadowy atmosphere featured on the album Zero Hour, the song brings a slew of wicked fantasies to life. Ron is the perfect guide—his grumbling vocals are delectably eerie, laced with darkness and an acerbic edge. By the end, everything unravels—the piano chords and electric guitar melody spiral into a cacophony of uninhibited, unhinged chaos. But that’s exactly what makes it so exhilarating.
As an artist, Ron is no stranger to thinking outside of the box. The self-edited “You Make Me Crazy” music video embodies his signature spirit—only this time, he juxtaposes emotive movement with a compelling personal performance. In side-by-side shots, lucky viewers witness his star power firsthand, as he dances over the keys and tells his tale, while an expressive dancer twists, kicks, and twirls, overtaken by desire. The visuals escalate the supernatural elements—this amorous romance takes over every fiber of her being, every thought, chasing her through the night. But it’s not until Ron locks eyes with the audience that the song fully derails. He’s thrillingly unnerved—crazed—and poised to take a bite.
“Sometimes All” is the Yin to “You Make Me Crazy’s” Yang. It’s a harsh world out there—a life-altering event could occur at a moment’s notice. A health scare forced Ron to confront his mortality—leaving him feeling shaken, lost, and alone. During his recovery, he was forced to confront a lot more, looking inward to find answers to questions about spirituality and abandonment. At its core, “Sometimes All” speaks to the profound truth that “Sometimes all you got left is God.” Singing softly, Ron bears his soul, while the gentle instrumentation and steady beat infuse the track with a wistful, melancholic atmosphere. Ron doesn’t know where to go from here. Yet, there’s a glimmer of hope that shines through. Sometimes a sliver of light, a guiding hand, or in this case, a “tiny whisper” is enough to push forward. A soulful chorus lifts the weight of his struggle—the one word that captures the power and glory of God—“Hallelujah.”
While “You Make Me Crazy” is a display of signature Brunkiness, “Sometimes All” takes an unexpected turn, offering a fresh perspective on our vibrant planet. The striking imagery is breathtaking, following a lone astronaut wandering through desolate, lonely landscapes with a touch of late-60s trippiness. These places are hauntingly familiar, yet, something’s not quite right. As he drifts over Earth with his satellite and spaceship, surrounded only by endless stretches of arid land, but no other wanderers, the video raises the question of what—or who—is out there. Perhaps beyond the emptiness lies towering forests and fields of blooming flowers, yet to be discovered. What does that have to do with “hanging by a thread at the mercy of God?” Well, that’s for viewers to ponder, as visions of swaying flowers and setting suns linger in their minds long after the final note fades.
What is the earliest memory or experience you have of wanting to become a musician?
Dancing on my bed at age nine, singing into a lint roller like a microphone, and imagining I was Paul McCartney!
“Sometimes All” is rooted in a traumatic personal experience. Was it difficult for you to write about such a personal experience? What was your songwriting process like?
No, it wasn’t difficult at all. My music has always been my way of expressing and releasing my emotions. It comes naturally to me. I’m not the type of person who holds things bottled up inside. Sure, I probably have a couple of deep, dark things hidden away – I’m certain we all do – but for the most part, whatever I’m thinking and feeling automatically flows out. My demons are out there for all the world to see.
What instruments did you include to keep the energy up in “You Make Me Crazy,” a song all about primal passion?
The piano was a must. I wrote the song banging away on my magic piano like a madman. So in my mind, I knew the keys had to be out there, front and center. And I also wanted to put together a tight little rock band that could bring the unbridled energy. I like to think the plan worked to perfection!
Though “Sometimes All” and “You Make Me Crazy” are separate projects, do they share any similar themes or messages?
That’s an interesting question, but I don’t see these two songs as sharing any sort of similar themes. They are quite disparate in my mind. “Sometimes All” is a very serious and powerful message about life, death, and our relationship with our Creator. “You Make Me Crazy” is an outrageous, even somewhat comical, expression of being passionately head-over-heels crazy about someone. It’s tongue-in-cheek playfulness with its references to wolves, pharaohs, alley cats and vampire bats. This song always makes me smile!
What is your favorite scene or visual element from the “Sometimes All” music video? How do the visuals help to capture the melancholic atmosphere of the track?
That climactic moment after the breakdown verse! When I say, “The voice of God whispers in the dark….” And the screen fades to black. Drums strike. And then the astronaut reappears, marching powerfully through that field of blue and red flowers, and straight into the camera! Wow, that’s it, baby! I knew that was GOLD!
What parts of your own personality are infused into the “You Make Me Crazy” music video?
My outrageous personality and crazy sense of humor are all over that song and video. Top to bottom, beginning to end. I often wonder why my sense of humor has gotten me into so much trouble in my life…
And of course, there is the PASSION expressed clearly in the song. And I am nothing if not passionate! I live my life on the precipice of passion, staring into the abyss of abject loneliness.
Both the “Sometimes All” and “You Make Me Crazy” music videos showcase compelling visuals—how do you balance personal storytelling with creating something universal in your visuals?
It just seems like a natural thing to me. At the end of the day, my personal story and storytelling will likely resonate with everyone. Because at my core, I’m the same as anyone else. That is, all human beings have the same basic needs, the same intrinsic longings. No matter who or when or where we are, we long for the same basic things, right? So, my storytelling should be, in essence, universal.
What goals do you hope to achieve in your musical career next?
For me, it’s always the same—each day I’m hoping to write the next great song. Each day, I’m determined to push boundaries and blend some new ideas, sounds, words, etc. I know that the wise King Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun, but I still keep trying to come up with something no one has ever thought of before!
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