Q: Welcome back, Paul! It’s fantastic to have you with us again. Since our last conversation, a lot has happened in your musical journey. To kick things off, could you share some highlights or pivotal moments that have shaped your artistic path since our last interview?
A: Following a series of single releases and performances, me and Olivia have finally finished and released our collaborative album “Eyes of an Enemy”. It has definitely been our most important release of 2025, and shapes things up going into next year.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Paul Ryan in three words?
A: Restrained yet emotional.
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: I try to update information on social media and through the official website, about my projects in the works. Fans are extremely supportive and I find this crucial in my development as a writer as I’m free to just focus on the work.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘Eyes of an Enemy’. Is there a story behind it?
A: There is a big story behind the album – as it is part of a much larger arc, being the middle chapter of a trilogy of folk albums (Following The Divine Sky 2024). It is ambitious by nature, and features many different layers of lyrical and metaphorical textures.
Q: What is your favorite track from the album and why?
A: Difficult question but I think “Heart Sunk Without You”, not only because of its sound, but because it encapsulates the albums emotional core and identity.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the album, “Eyes of an Enemy”?
A: Because the album is part of a much bigger picture, it wasn’t as difficult as people might think from the outside looking in. The lyrical themes around the album helped shape the sound – songs like “Burning Neon”, “Sofia Stands so Near”, “Carry Me Home Again” were simple enough to fit into the journey of the album, and the acoustic arrangements were solid enough to give the songs a timeless quality. More textured songs like the singles “Worth the Know” and “Longed for Life” were more musically complex and challenging at times, but I think Brett Shaw (Who mastered the singles) did a fantastic job with that. When you work with people of that calibre, it elevates the entire project. I am extremely lucky to have Brett, Olivia, Georgia (Fullalove) and Felipe (Ribeiro) all working on the musical side of things, and I’m extremely happy with how everything turned out.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for you so far?
A: Definitely at miniFEST this summer, that was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: “Worth the Know” because it was the first major transitional step from earlier folk work.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into Paul Ryan’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: I work on songs very quickly, once I have an idea I just work on it as fast as possible and the finished idea usually is close to proximity of how I imagined.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: I would like to thank everyone for their support so far, and I’m excited to work on the next record to finish the three albums in as many years. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
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