Suite: Ryan, you’re blessed with mad musical skills: writing, arranging, producing, rocking. Which area of creating do you enjoy most? What is your favored axe of the moment?
Ryan: Wow…first of all, thanks so much for your kind words…I am humbled by your encouraging words. It’s hard to determine what my favorite part of the creative process is;they really all compliment each other. When it comes down to it, the process is probably what I enjoy the most. Writing allows an artist to express something that is inside of them. Whether that be an actual situation or a story conveying an emotion, the creative process of writing a song/lyric can be very cathartic. We all need some sort of outlet: music is my outlet. And I am blessed to be able to make a living from that outlet.
The production/arranging side of things is a different animal all together. You are basically taking an idea, and trying to complete the idea to convey the heart of the song. This can be difficult to do as the writer of a song. Sometimes we get too “inside” a song, and lose sight of what works and doesn’t work. That’s why I surround myself with people that I trust artistically who can kick me when I do something stupid J. I have had the chance to produce a couple records for other artists over the past year, and that has been a tremendously rewarding artistic endeavor.
As far as the rocking part goes, I don’t know how much I really rock, but I sure have fun doing it! I’m pretty chilled out, but there’s a punk rocker somewhere inside of me.
Right now, I am in love with the banjo. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, so I wasn’t exposed to the instrument a whole lot until I got into college and started to get into folk music. I really didn’t start playing the banjo until about 6 months ago, when I decided I would like to have it on the new record. The tone is so distinct, and the playability is a joy,unlike any other instrument I’ve played. It is a simple instrument that can be very intricately played. I love the guitar, and that will always be my first instrument, but I’m having a lot of fun with the banjo right now-it just makes me smile.
Suite: What was different for you with “Beautiful Disrepair” compared to your first project?
Ryan: Well, this project is totally in my hands-which can be great and scary at the same time. “Parts” (first project) was hard for me to get used to. But by the end of the project, I felt great. “Beautiful Disrepair” was exactly the opposite. I went into it very comfortable. We tracked at an old farm in southern Cuyahoga County, so it was a very laid back environment. We just took about 25 songs and started to get to work. As we moved deeper into the project, I realized this was a much different project than the first record. It was a lot more transparent, and I had started to move into the story-telling aspect of songwriting. In fact, most of the songs on “Beautiful Disrepair” are some aspect of telling a story. Much of “Parts” was more worship oriented. So, by the end of the project, I was pretty nervous.
Aside from the lyrical content, it is a pretty big step musically. This record is pretty heavily influenced by Americana/folk music, as well as Brit rock, and some old school rock. Put those things together, and you come up with a pretty diverse record. So, I was afraid people might not like it. I loved the record, but wasn’t sure what fans of the first record would think. So far the response has been great, but that fear is still in the back of my mind.
Suite: What has been the biggest challenge for you as an indie artist? The biggest joy?
Ryan: It’s hard to have to do everything yourself. But that gives you the freedom as an artist to do what you want. A label would likely never release a record like “Beautiful Disrepair” due to the huge diversity. I think it is a great strength to be eclectic as an artist. Most labels want to fit an artist into a genre, which I totally understand. Also, I can record what I want, and don’t have executives deciding what works or doesn’t. With all of that being said, I think I would love to be able to work with a label. It’s hard to get your music out there without the backing of a label.
Suite: Which songwriter would you love to co-write with?
Ryan: Bono. He’s my hero. He has a tremendous sense for the balance between art and pop culture. He understands that success in the mass arena lies somewhere between the two. He can write a song that strikes at the core of who we are as humans, and make it something that is accessible to the masses;that’s not easy to do. And he has made an incredible positive impact on the world for the poor and underprivileged. I would love to just get a cup of coffee with him and talk about life and the struggle of humanity.
Suite: Any New Year’s resolutions or dreams?
Ryan: Not really, except to be able to be the best man I can be this year. God has blessed me with a tremendous wife and child, and a life in music, and I want to live like a blessed man. And I want to make a real impact on the world around me: to love the poor and abandoned people around us. I wouldn’t mind having a hit song either, LOL.
Visit Ryan Wilkin's website to find out more about his eclectic indie rock sound, and "Beautiful Disrepair: The Edgarton Sessions."
