Amber Ryann Releases New Album, Creates Community of Queer BIPOC Artists
Interview by Hannah Kozak / Photos by Alex Cobain
Los Angeles based artist Amber Ryann releases her new album, Even When It Falls Apart, on October 19th. She is involved in all aspects of the music industry, including singing, songwriting, producing, and she takes full creative control over all her projects. Ryann has also cultivated a community and platform of other queer BIPOC artists through Underrated Artist Season, something that began when Ryann started reviewing music on her TikTok.
Q: How long have you been making music, and when did you realize it was something you wanted to seriously pursue?
A: The first time I picked up a guitar was when I was 10 years old and I have been writing ever since. After discovering My Chemical Romance in elementary school, that’s what convinced me music was not only my calling but my purpose. I can say with confidence I never looked back since and I’ve never considered other options. I always knew in my mind that I would be an artist one way or another.
Q: You do a lot of the creative work behind the scenes for your music, if not all of it. Where do you draw inspiration from when designing merch, filming/editing, etc.?
A: Most inspiration comes from the bands I listened to growing up like My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, The Used, etc. I always felt connected to those artists on such a deep level because they created their own world you felt immersed in through the music, visuals and the artwork. So when I am creating, I always move with those intentions in my mind, I feel those experiences were impactful and something I strive to recreate within my own projects. Typically, many things inspire me from things I see other artists putting out to just living my day-to-day life and finding inspiration in those experiences.
Q: What was your most rewarding moment when creating Even When It Falls Apart?
A: To be honest finishing it and getting to listen to the album play all the way through from top to bottom. I’m genuinely not even sure if anything has ever felt as gratifying as that moment in terms of my career so far. There’s an immense amount of emotion, vulnerability and transparency that went into this project and my only intention was to instill an even deeper connection with whomever listens but little did I know this album made me feel even more connected with myself as a person.
Q: Do you have a favorite song off the album?
A: “High Hopes” has this special place in my heart and forever will. I think it’s the songs that I unapologetically take a risk on and that make me feel the most fulfilled. I catch myself always saying “this song doesn’t sound like anything else I’ve ever released before” because of how genre-fluid my music is, but I genuinely feel that way about “High Hopes.” I love how I can be the most honest with myself when I write music and “High Hopes” is the pinnacle of that unapologetic honesty.
Q: What do you want listeners to get from Even When It Falls Apart? What kind of feelings and lessons do you want to evoke in people?
A: Ultimately I want people to feel as though the negative experiences in their life do not define who they are whether it be heartbreak, trauma, losing someone you love or growing apart from those you were once close with. These past two years have been full of turmoil, uncertainty, and what I feel to be a lack of human connection. I think what always surprises me is the fact we can start to feel so alone in a world full of people going through similar experiences, I want the art I put into the world to be a constant reminder that we aren’t alone.
Q: Tell us a little bit about Underrated Artist Season! When did it start, and what does it mean to you?
A: UAS started back in April of this year when I randomly came up with the idea to do music reviews while livestreaming on my TikTok page. Today UAS has grown and evolved into this massive independent community driven platform that is also run by artists and creatives. Underrated Artist Season for me is all about giving opportunity to smaller artists by providing a platform where the only barrier to entry is good music. I believe the underground is the future of music and music listeners themselves are the most powerful tastemakers in the industry so why not have a platform that is curated by them. UAS is not only a platform and a playlist but soon to be an independent record label/media house, the skies the limit.
Q: What are your top three artists that you’re listening to currently?
A: Currently listening to Steve Lacy, Willow and Omar Apollo
Q: What’s your dream show/tour lineup?
A: Willow, Halsey, Blackbear, Pvris, Steve Lacy just to throw some of my favs out there
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: EVEN WHEN IT FALLS APART drops October 19th
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