I started listening to Ryan Farish when he released Spectrum. The album is incredible and the content can be used for video games or movies with ease. We did an interview when he released that album. Then he released Primary Colors, another unforgettable album that made me appreciate his work even more. We did another interview to discuss that album and I didn’t think it could get any better. When Ryan released Wilderness, I closed my office door and listened to the entire album. I was blown away and knew we needed to do yet another interview to see what was going on in his mind. The album is his best yet and I was excited to touch base with him. For the third time, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Ryan Farish.
I’ve interviewed you before, but I am going to pretend this is the first time we’ve met. You recently released a new album. Tell me more about Wilderness. By the way, this might be your best work to date!
Hello again, Ricky! Thank you, I’m really glad to hear you’re connecting with Wilderness, it’s my most ambitious album to date. This album is the very time I’ve recorded my own vocals, so it’s a very special release for me.
Your work sounds like it could be used in video games or in movies. Has your work ever been featured in anything like that before?
Yes, there’s a lot of non-commercial, or unofficial use of my music across YouTube. Type in Mercedes-Benz and Ryan Farish and you’ll see a lot of videos, and a lot of fancy cars too! There have been some official uses as well, films like “Into the Sun” or in the marketing of “Despicable Me 2.”
I love the album art for Wilderness. Who created that?
Thank you. Solarsoul created the album art. He’s a very talented graphic designer and creates beautiful music as well. He also created the album art for my albums Primary Colors (Black Hole Recordings) as well as Spectrum (RYTONE Entertainment).
Speaking of the album art, what came first, the music or the artwork?
The music came first. That usually is the case with me.
While I think this is your best album, you might disagree. What do you think is your best work thus far? Primary Colors was pretty good… Spectrum, too! They are all good!
Well, that’s a tough question because all of them are special to me for different reasons, and all created during different seasons of my life. I would have to disagree with you, even though this album is very special to me, I would say it’s my second favorite album, behind Life In Stereo. There are a few songs on that album like “Northern Lights” and “The Summit” that reign for me as some of my best work, looking back.
You are “GRAMMY recognized.” When are they going to give you one? It’s time, man.
I have no idea, and although that would be nice, very nice… It’s not my focus. Reaching conscious minds, reaching people that aren’t afraid to explore music that isn’t hyped, or awarded… Those are who I seek to share music with. People who have an open mind, and enjoy music that opens the window in the mind, to explore and experience life in a more meaningful way, these are my people.
Before Wilderness was released you offered pre-orders and 5 tracks. How did you pick the tracks you wanted to use? There are 11 songs on the album, and they are all incredible… I think I prefer “My Heart Beats for You.”
Thank you, that’s actually my favorite song from the album as well. My daughter actually danced for the very first time when I played her that song (demo version at the time) from my phone for her. So this song will always be special for our family. I choose the instant grat tracks in order of the album playlist, no real strategy about that I guess.
How are things over at RYTONE Entertainment?
Busy and beautiful. There’s so much going on right now, and we are dreaming big for the future….We’ll see how it goes!
How do you name your songs? Do you name it and then write it, or does the name come after the fact?
Never before I begin a track, usually it’s at the end when I’m mastering the song, but sometimes it does happen after I’m about 25% into the new song idea.
You don’t use a lot of vocals in your work. What is your process like? Do you just sit down and play with sounds until a single/album comes out, or do you know what you want it to sound like before you even begin producing a new track?
In the case with Wilderness, I set out with a singular intention in mind. I wanted music that would have a purpose beyond just organized sound.
I’ve not seen you live… Yet. What can fans expect from a live performance? Any plans to be in SW Florida or in Miami later this year?
No tour plans this year, to be honest, the studio is where I seem to spend most of my time. On occasion though, you can find me doing a DJ set, however this September I’m traveling to Washington D.C. to meet up with some friends who are members of the band currently on tour with the Hamilton Musical (Angelica tour) to record a live in the studio rendition of music from Wilderness. We’ll see if that sparks some interest for a Ryan Farish Group tour, with a live band later next year perhaps.
Wilderness debuted No. 1 on the iTunes Electronic charts. That. Is. AWESOME! Congratulations for that, sir. Did you expect this new release to have so much success out of the gate? I told you it was good!
Thank you. I never really know how a song or album will be received, but this debut at No. 1 really surprised me. I sincerely owe ALL of that to my fans for showing up and buying the album. That kinda support is something no one should ever expect, and I am incredibly touched every time I think about them and how they made this happen for me. The morning the album was released, I remember looking on iTunes just to make sure the album was there. I quickly looked at the charts and didn’t see myself, until the last moment… I wasn’t looking at the top of the charts, and when I did there Wilderness was… at No. 1… Did I just say that? Amazing, and I’m forever grateful to my fans for their support and getting so behind my music in such a way.
What’s next for Ryan Farish?
Up to D.C. to record with the Hamilton guys… And my management is discussing with me some new projects and releases right now… Perhaps even a DJ mix compilation album from me. I can’t really say anything more, but if this works out it will really be a bucket list check off item for me.
In all of the interview I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Last word… Thank you, Ricky. Thank you for continuing to be interested in the music and art I’m creating, and thanks again to all my fans for supporting the new album, and giving me my first No. 1 debut, my first No. 2 Billboard Chart, and our label RYTONE our biggest opportunity so far. On behalf of myself, and our label… We can never thank you guys enough.
Connect with Ryan Farish:
Website: http://www.ryanfarish.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanfarishofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanfarish
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ryanfarish
