Following the release of his latest single 'Summer Nights', we caught up with Austin-based multi-instrumentalist RYAN, to find out what influences his sound. If you enjoy RYAN's picks be sure to check out 'Summer Nights' at the end of the article
1. John Mayer - 3x5
I’ve always been a major John Mayer fan, specifically his debut album Room For Squares. Though it came out in 2001, it has a timeless production that has stood the test of time. I could listen to any song off that album, and if someone told me that it came out yesterday, I’d believe them. It has aged like fine wine. Specifically 3x5, which lyrically is the most mature song on that album, in my book. No one ever feels like the memory of a magnificent moment, or even a 3x5 physical picture of it, is ever enough to truly take them back to the moment itself.
2. Tow’rs - Baker's Dozen
Since I moved to Austin, TX in January of 2024, this band “Tow’rs” has become my favorite find of the year. It’s a husband and wife duo (along with a full band behind them) that writes songs about a myriad of different topics, but usually intimate folk-style love songs about each other, without it being TMI. This song, titled Bakers Dozen, and the album “Joy Alchemy” that it comes from, has such a sweet innocence to it. It’s a symbol of purity in a music business that seems to prefer outrageous and desensitizing content and lyrics. This album has a special place in my heart, and will always live as the soundtrack to my long drives in the middle of the night from those first gigs I landed as a full-time singer/songwriter here in Texas.
3. Tommy Taylor - Summit
This is one written and performed by my mentor, producer and drummer, Tommy Taylor. It’s my favorite song of his, and without him I certainly wouldn’t be writing this article. He’s a drumming legend that has drummed on likely some of your favorite songs from the 70s and 80s, such as “Sailing” or “Ride like the Wind” by Christopher Cross, or “Cliffs of Dover” by Eric Johnson, as well as many other famous songs from that era. After 50 years in the music business, he’s finally stepped out from behind the drum kit and released a body of work of his own, featuring some of the most world renowned musicians on the planet. The song Summit, featured here, is my favorite of that body of work.
4. Fiji Blue - It Takes Two
I’m pretty intimidated by the sheer quantity of music that’s released these days. I don’t love a lot of “pop” music, though the definition of that word seems to change daily. If I had to share a current favorite, it would be Fiji Blue and his song “It Takes Two”. First off, he’s a wonderful person and has always been kind to me, and has listened to my music and complimented it. Second, I go back to the overall innocence of the song as I did with Tow’rs. The production is certainly pop-oriented, but the lyrics are ones that I would be shocked if anyone took offense to. You can’t say that about most of pop music first of all, but even beyond that - can you write a better hook in a chorus?
5. Davin Kennedy - Annie
Another L.A. based artist that is kind of similar to Fiji Blue. I think that the R&B music out of Los Angeles is the best commercial thing that’s happening these days. I would KILL to write a pop song like this. And then to go into the studio after the official version is released, and then do a live band version that sounds this good? THIS to me is what pop music should sound like these days. Devin is a great dude, a great singer/songwriter, and is going places.
Watch RYAN - Summer Nights
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