01Profile
A Ryan Wright Photo
Ryan Wright
Musician — Virginia
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is Ryan Wright and I’m from the suburbs of DC.
What do you do?
I am a full-time musician, singer/songwriter.
Describe your style in three words?
Dreamy, synthy, and angsty.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw The Killers at a venue in DC called the Anthem back in 2018. It was the most interactive and energetic crowd I’ve ever witnessed and it had been my dream since I was two years old to see them so it was truly a magical and fulfilling experience.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The 1975 and The Cars. They are both such big influences on my sound and writing. The Cars were before their time, creating melodies that I can never get sick of and using weird synths that I love so much and use on my own music. The 1975 have a powerful way of making music that feels tangible and somehow manages to give its listeners visceral reactions while listening. It’s not meant to be settling and I love that about them.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Early '60s Phil Spector era and late '80s/early '90s dream pop. I was partially raised by my Granny and Pop who had this collection of CDs that had musicians like Roy Orbison and The Everly Brothers on it and those '60s chords and melodies built the structure of my music and style. The aesthetic of the early '90s is so confessional yet esoteric in a way that the music and style is very individual and personal but still universal so it resonates. My music as an independent artist holds a lot of emotions and deeply personal experiences that can still be felt universally by its listeners.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Cyndi Lauper. She’s just so cool and never stops being cool. I love her.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Union Stage in Washington DC. It’s in a really cool part of town called the Wharf and it’s super vibey. I shot all of my live performance videos there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The Click Five. I’ve been a fan since I was four years old and have been so lucky to work alongside two of the members. They have great songs and their power pop production has influenced my music in many ways.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'All Through The Night' by Cyndi Lauper.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'You' The 1975.
One record you would keep forever?
'Heartbeat City' by The Cars. 'Why Can’t I Have You' is my favourite track on that record. I’ve worn it out.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“And do you still think love is a Laserquest? Or do you take it all more seriously? I've tried to ask you this in some daydreams that I've had, but you're always busy being make-believe”
From 'Love Is A Laserquest' by Arctic Monkeys. Really any lyric from that song is inspiring. I think it’s one of the most lovely, melancholic pieces of music I’ve heard.
A song you wished you had written?
'Call Your Girlfriend' by Robyn. It’s the most perfect pop song.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Another Try' by HAIM. Reminds me of summer and hanging out with my friends. It’s one of those songs that holds so much nostalgia for me that when I listen to it, I’m taken back to the time that I had first become obsessed with it.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Wichita Lineman' by Glen Campbell. Another artist that raised me.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Primadonna' by Marina and The Diamonds.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'The Downtown Lights' by Blue Nile.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Fontaines D.C. and Inhaler. 'Oh Such a Spring' by Fontaines D.C. is my favourite and 'My King Will Be Kind' by Inhaler is so good.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is Ryan Wright and I’m from the suburbs of DC.
What do you do?
I am a full-time musician, singer/songwriter.
Describe your style in three words?
Dreamy, synthy, and angsty.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw The Killers at a venue in DC called the Anthem back in 2018. It was the most interactive and energetic crowd I’ve ever witnessed and it had been my dream since I was two years old to see them so it was truly a magical and fulfilling experience.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The 1975 and The Cars. They are both such big influences on my sound and writing. The Cars were before their time, creating melodies that I can never get sick of and using weird synths that I love so much and use on my own music. The 1975 have a powerful way of making music that feels tangible and somehow manages to give its listeners visceral reactions while listening. It’s not meant to be settling and I love that about them.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Early '60s Phil Spector era and late '80s/early '90s dream pop. I was partially raised by my Granny and Pop who had this collection of CDs that had musicians like Roy Orbison and The Everly Brothers on it and those '60s chords and melodies built the structure of my music and style. The aesthetic of the early '90s is so confessional yet esoteric in a way that the music and style is very individual and personal but still universal so it resonates. My music as an independent artist holds a lot of emotions and deeply personal experiences that can still be felt universally by its listeners.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Cyndi Lauper. She’s just so cool and never stops being cool. I love her.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Union Stage in Washington DC. It’s in a really cool part of town called the Wharf and it’s super vibey. I shot all of my live performance videos there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The Click Five. I’ve been a fan since I was four years old and have been so lucky to work alongside two of the members. They have great songs and their power pop production has influenced my music in many ways.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'All Through The Night' by Cyndi Lauper.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'You' The 1975.
One record you would keep forever?
'Heartbeat City' by The Cars. 'Why Can’t I Have You' is my favourite track on that record. I’ve worn it out.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“And do you still think love is a Laserquest? Or do you take it all more seriously? I've tried to ask you this in some daydreams that I've had, but you're always busy being make-believe”
From 'Love Is A Laserquest' by Arctic Monkeys. Really any lyric from that song is inspiring. I think it’s one of the most lovely, melancholic pieces of music I’ve heard.
A song you wished you had written?
'Call Your Girlfriend' by Robyn. It’s the most perfect pop song.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Another Try' by HAIM. Reminds me of summer and hanging out with my friends. It’s one of those songs that holds so much nostalgia for me that when I listen to it, I’m taken back to the time that I had first become obsessed with it.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Wichita Lineman' by Glen Campbell. Another artist that raised me.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Primadonna' by Marina and The Diamonds.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'The Downtown Lights' by Blue Nile.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Fontaines D.C. and Inhaler. 'Oh Such a Spring' by Fontaines D.C. is my favourite and 'My King Will Be Kind' by Inhaler is so good.