We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ryan Lau. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ryan below.

Ryan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

It’s taken my all my life to learn my craft. I started out as a touring guitar player and I was always drawn to adding parts, or learning all the elements to the song. What makes this song what it is? What are all the layers here? I don’t think there is a way to “speed up” the process of learning how to add meaningful and creative layers to a song. The most essential skill that I’ve learned, in my opinion, is to listen. You have to listen to music and feel where it’s going. You have to listen to artists what they want, desire, and feel for their art. I’ve had a few obstacles since starting production, but nothing that can’t be overcome. I think the worst obstacle to always face is creative lack. When I’m working on a song and just can’t seem to feel where it needs to go. When I have that feeling though, it’s a good indication that I need to take a small break from the song, give it some space and return to it later.

Ryan, 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?

My name is Ryan Lau, I’m a music producer in Nashville TN! I’ve been in the music industry for a while, first playing guitar and touring. During Covid, I shifted my focus and moved to songwriting and production. I’ve always had a great interest in it, but never could find the time to learn more and really try and do it, so during the shut down, it just felt natural to use that time to learn as much as I could. I started to do small demos as things opened up, and it just continued to grow from there to where I am now! I’m incredibly passionate about helping people bring their art to life. At my best, I like to think that I help an artist get what’s in their head out into reality. I think what sets me apart as a producer is I believe I’m here in a supporting role specifically to the artist. It’s my job to listen and draw out all the best elements in someone’s art.

I wouldn’t say that I have a brand, but one thing I believe in greatly, is artist empowerment. Whether it’s someone who’s been beaten down by the industry, someone who’s tired of trying to get everyone else to even care about their art, someone who feels like they have no control over their projects or art, or even someone who’s just felt discriminated in the industry.
I have many projects I’m very proud of. It’s hard to pinpoint really anything particularly because even some projects that don’t get tons of streams or attention have great value to me.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission in music production is the create the best art I can, while staying true to the artist’s vision. I think it’s so important to bring my insight and skill set to the artist to help them, not step on them. If we can create a song that is true to their vision (or better) that’s a win for me.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think if anything, it’s so important to understand the ecosystem as a whole. There’s so much to this process that goes way beyond the creative process. A person doesn’t just say, “hey I want to write a song and start making money from it”. The financial side is particularly hard right now for creatives. We are being paid less than ever before for our art. Streaming has made music excusable but cheap. It’s important to give fair wages to people for the work they do. If creatives are unable to make art with financial stability, there will be less and less artists encouraged to stay in the field at all.

Contact Info:

• Website: ryanlaumusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_lau_/

Image Credits
1st &2nd Image (in Studio) by Brittany Lane photography 3rd image (B&W) by Trey Allan 4th Image (on stage) by Tamar Chipp