Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I’m a Colorado native but grew up pretty far below the poverty line in rural western Arkansas. Not having much except a lot of land to explore definitely gave me the time and space to develop my imagination. My mother had great musical taste – she’d listen to a lot of Bob Dylan,Johnny Cash, and Gordon Lightfoot, and my grandmother loved Marty Robbins. I always loved writing, and when I was twelve I started trying to write songs. My mom had this old classical guitar with nylon strings that was pretty badly out of tune, but it gave me a chance to fall in love with picking up an instrument and making sounds. She was always a great piano player and singer and that inspired me to have the courage to try and put it out there.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Ryan Dart in three words?
A: Honest, weathered, cinematic…
Q: You have released a new album, If Love Don’t Break You. Is there a story behind it?
I went into this album with a huge set of songs I wrote when I was still grieving the breakup of my family and the loss of my marriage – still in that painful space. None of those songs ended up making the album, because by the time I got started recording, I had grieved the relationship. I had grown a lot personally through therapy and had started to come out of that fog. By the time I got in the studio, I had a whole new set of songs. I had also met a new woman and fallen in love with her, and that really shaped the direction of the album.
If Love Don’t Break You – if you can make it through something that breaks your heart open, you grow from it. That’s essentially the heart of this album. It’s a testament to how much we all grow through struggle and how we need to always try to find a silver lining, because everything is fleeting – the highs and the lows. Just hang in there. This was also the first album I recorded since my marriage fell apart, my divorce, losing the farm, and having to move back into town. But I went into writing this album with a lot more hope and growing self-awareness. A lot of the songs ended up being love songs.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for Ryan so far?
A: Every chance I get to play music is always the best part of my day. It reminds me how much this is truly what I’m meant to do, and it always has such a healing effect on me. I’ve been lucky enough to play in some amazing places and reach people’s hearts in a lot of different areas around the world in small ways.
My favorite performance of all time that comes to mind in this moment is the time my son and I entered a talent show together and played music. He was probably 8 or 9 at the time. I played guitar and sang, and he played harmonica. We came in second place – but just getting to share that experience and share the stage with my son is a memory I’ll always treasure.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally?
A: Each song is kind of like a photograph that takes you back to a particular time. Right now I’d say “Dirt Road Woman” is the track closest to my heart. That song marked a time in my writing where I feel like I had a breakthrough – it just flowed. It has some very unique personal memories tied to it, but I also think it finds that balance between a love song and that gritty country feel I love. It’s also a nod to powerful, empowered women and the people who love them.
Q: Could you provide insight into your unique approach to crafting music?
A: I am always writing – every day, working on the next song. If I’m on a hike and think of a lyric, I jot it down in my phone. If I overhear a conversation at a restaurant that sparks something, I’ll write it on a napkin. I’m obsessed with writing songs. It’s my addiction and my way of processing this crazy world. I went into this album with probably 50 songs to pull from. Usually I start with lyrics, but sometimes I start on the musical side. I’ve learned to let that flow state unfold, keep writing, and then after that inspired moment has passed, go back with the editing part of my brain and revisit – finding what’s working and the moments that might need more work.
Once I go into the studio, it’s an entirely different process – a lot of surrendering to whatever is in the flow that particular day, that particular week, that particular song. Being someone who isn’t classically trained or particularly naturally gifted with vocal range or guitar chops, I tend to use my limitations as a way of shaping the direction the songs end up going.
I believe wholeheartedly that whatever we are inspired to create, there are people out there who really need to hear it. Even if I never know who all will be impacted by my music, I know in my heart that the music is healing – because other people’s music has helped me so much.
Q: Looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have, and what message would you like to share with your fans?
A: My aspiration is to continue grow my music and my reach so I can have the biggest impact on the world as possible. I want to be of service. I want to help people who are struggling – use this music to brighten their day or give them a voice they maybe don’t always have during times of struggle. I am completely dedicated to doing this for the rest of my life. I’m all in on this creative side of my life.
My message to fans: please reach out. Let me know what you need, what you’re going through. Help me understand what I can do to be of service. What songs impact you most? Sharing your experiences could even be fresh inspiration for some new song I’ll write. I’m always open to hear from you – good, bad, or in between. Please always feel free to share what is real for you, and know that I’m going to offer my most authentic self to this music in the hopes that it will reach your heart.
And for everyone going through hard times – whether it’s relationships, health, family, life, whatever it might be – don’t give up. Reach out if you need help. Somebody really wants to be there for you and loves you.
