Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryan David Orr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ryan David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The first time I thought I might want to pursue an artistic path I was about 14 years old. That may seem young, but my mother was a singer-songwriter, and throughout my childhood I remember thinking (and telling her on a regular basis) that there was no way I could do what she did (perform on stage, sing alone for groups of people, etc.). I first began playing music at age 7 when I took up violin and sang in choirs. However, I never thought it would be something I tried to do seriously. As years went by, and I began getting better at music, started playing guitar, and fell in love with rock music, I began to feel differently about it. When I was about 14 years old, I was sitting in my room when a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers came on the radio. I listened to the guitar solo and thought “I can play that”. I got my guitar out from under my bed and messed around with it until I had the melody line nailed. From then on, I knew that not only could I envision performing professionally, but that was exactly what I was going to do. I’ve been doing that to varying degrees ever since.

Ryan David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Once I decided as a teenager to pursue music and writing as a profession, my life became all about refining my craft. I spent my years in high school and the few years that followed honing my musical talents, spending time in recording studios, writing endlessly, and brainstorming creative projects. I self-produced my first record with one SM-48 microphone and an archaic version of Cakewalk Home Studio in 2001. I also spent time with the bands that I was in recording and producing projects in studios and learning along the way how to approach making records.

Fast forward 20 years, and I recently released my 10th full-length solo album. In that time I also released a few EPs, several albums with various rock bands, a handful of self-directed music videos, and periodically produced projects in my studio for other artists. I also just published my first novel, which aligns with my 2019 album “Kaden Hollow” in its subject matter and storytelling. I went to school to study film and also earned an M.A. in English. Suffice it to say that being a creative and an artist is what I spend most of my time and energy doing, and I can’t imagine not having these outlets.

I have grown a lot over the years and have tried to learn from my mistakes. One big lesson was to not go it alone all the time. As an independent person, I tend to try to do it all myself, but not only is that not realistic, it doesn’t always serve the art either – sometimes it’s just better to bring people into the process. What I am currently very excited about is a project I have in production in Nashville with drummer and founding member of Wilco, Ken Coomer. It’s an EP, and I recorded the vocals and guitars at my studio, then sent them to him, where he is hiring other musicians and producing the whole thing. I can’t wait to hear what it turns into. It’s the first time I have handed off the production of one of my own records to someone else. Following its completion, I will release for streaming platforms, tour to promote it, and continue writing and creating.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Over the years, I have had to shift my idea of what success means, and this has really been a blessing. When I was a teenager and into my early twenties, I believed the only measure of success would be headlining arenas and being a millionaire. But the truth is, great art is not synonymous with commercial viability. Real success is following your passion and your inspiration and being happy in your life – and if that means you don’t have top 40 hits, that’s okay. I really needed to own the power of this truth in order to not overwhelm myself. This is something that both my wife and I have been working on in our own ways (she is a figurative ceramic artist). I am very content with my new re-framing of what I value and feel is important.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think we are at somewhat of a crossroads in human evolution, which is exciting and also scary. For me, it is important that I am doing what I can to evolve emotionally and spiritually, and to do my tiny little part for the better of humanity. If I have one goal with my creations and my writing, it is that my contributions connect with people in ways that might help them to heal, grow, be inspired, evolve, or even face dark parts of themselves that keep them from their highest selves. I know that in my experience, I have had to face these things in myself, to peel away layers of fear, anger, jealousy, or other basic egoistic elements in order to more fully realize my happiness and my evolutionary path. This type of difficult, sometimes painful growth is not easy to undertake, and I hope my art can help be a catalyst for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ryandavidorr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryandavidorr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryandavidorrmusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandavidorr/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ryandavidorr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ryandavidorrmusic

Image Credits
Mike Mahoney Photography