After introducing himself with his dazzling initial offerings 'Someday I'll Fly' and 'Sweet Music' earlier this year, US singer-songwriter RYAN is back once again to unveil his mesmerising new single 'Summer Nights'.
Continuing that warm and riveting pop-rock aesthetic he has been earning a strong reputation for, 'Summer Nights' makes for a beautifully warm and endearing listen. With his vibrant vocals layered across a spellbinding production throughout, he is certainly looking to pull on our heartstrings with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar of course. But the first instrument I learned to play was the piano.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved 60s/70s music. Some of my first memories are sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car listening to the Moody Blues, The Beatles, The Cars, etc.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Let It Be by The Beatles. I got it on CD for my 6th birthday.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Honestly, no I don’t have any conscious rituals that I go through to write new music. I think the best habit or ritual you can go through to foster new ideas is to experience new things. Push yourself to take risks; and if the result of those experiences is painful, be present in experiencing that pain. The same could be said if the result of those experiences is wonderful - be present in the happiness. If you’re an artist who’s music is your outlet for expression, the song will come on it’s own.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
My heroes range from John Mayer to Paul McCartney, from Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues to Eric Johnson. I think you can find pieces of those people in different aspects of every song I’ve ever finished.
For the moment, my current obsessions are a husband and wife acoustic/folk duo who go by “Tow’rs” out of Flagstaff, AZ. They write love songs about each other and their harmonies are really beautiful. There’s a love and a sweetness in their music that’s almost tangible. I also really enjoy some of the pop/R&B vibes coming out of Los Angeles. I love Fiji Blue, Devin Kennedy, etc.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Oh man… It would probably have to be Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues. That’s a childhood admiration that goes back to when I was an infant. But I think the opportunity of a lifetime would be opening up for John Mayer during his acoustic tour. That’s probably what would be the most fulfilling at this juncture.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I think the most rewarding part is hearing your song begin to come together over the studio monitors as you’re building it, and then hearing the finished product. When you’re doing that, you’re in the middle of taking sonic ideas you’ve had in your head for however long, and manifesting them into actual physical sounds. When you hear the ideas in your head work sonically like you always felt they could, that’s a truly wonderful and humbling experience.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I think the most frustrating part these days is having to take your music and fit it into the mould into some (often times) inauthentic 15 second piece of content in order to try and promote it. There was a time (though it wasn’t perfect) where it was enough to just be good, and make good art. Now an artist has so much more to take on, and has to constantly be convincing the social media world that they’re great; a concept which, to me, is inherently inartistic, considering most artists are introverted. Can you imagine how much wonderful music we’ve missed out on because many artists just felt frustrated at the way the game is now tilted toward ego-maniacs that mostly just want to “make it”?
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Stay true to yourself and make the art you believe in. The end goal of being a successful full-time musician is worth nothing if you can’t enjoy the process. You will enjoy that process infinitely more if you feel you are staying true to yourself.
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RYAN's new single 'Summer Nights' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.