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

Hi Ryan, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe success is found where your passion and drive meets a need. My passion is music production and I’m driven to help upcoming artists craft their music to a place where they are proud to release their art for the world to enjoy. I think of a young woman who wanted to release her own music for the first time. She was hesitant to get her songs produced and put herself out there because the standard of excellence is so high in Nashville. I took on her project and worked with her to get the production to where she was excited to release it. She got a glowing a music review in an international magazine and she couldn’t wait to dive into creating more music. Collaboration is key in the music industry. It takes a village to raise a song baby. I love teaming up with artists to be a part of their musical creations. Helping artists to flourish in their passions and dreams is success to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into music production years ago as a singer-songwriter myself. I had all these musical ideas fluttering in my head and wanted to figure out how to get them onto a recording in a way that framed the song well. Through countless hours of schooling and practice I learned the art of production. One of the challenges with music production is that the tools and techniques are constantly evolving. I am still challenging myself to keep growing creatively, because production is not just a science but an art form. Staying creative is key. Trying things you’ve never done before as a producer, if the song calls for it, is essential because in the end you’re aiming to create something that’s fresh. As a songwriter I can help artists arrange their song so that it’s dynamic and takes the listener on a journey. I’m able to keep costs down because I keep most if not all the production in-house so I’m a little more affordable than many producers. I record and edit vocals/instruments, I play many different instrument, and I do the mixing and mastering. And for most upcoming artists on a tight budget, that’s an important that I can keep the overhead low because recording can easily become expensive. But I also have a network of go-to musicians-for-hire if the artist has the budget and wants a certain player’s flavor to be on the record. I also work in a diversity of genres so I can accommodate whichever style an artist is aiming for. Or maybe it’s even a hybrid of styles that they want which is right up my alley. I can coach a singer, as they record vocals, to achieve their best performance because I am a singer myself. My studio is based out my house so it’s a very comfortable and low-key environment which is important for an artist to feel relaxed and at-home in a recording space in order to sound their best.
The most important part about the recording process is that we have fun. I try to keep the recording experience positive and encouraging because I as an artist realize how vulnerable it can feel to bravely put your songs out there for others to hear. It can feel like letting others read your journal, so I’m glad to lend support along the way. But I also recognize that it’s not just for others to enjoy but for the artist themselves to take pleasure in doing what they love to do.
For me the creative journey with the artist is just as important as the destination.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is to create something that tells a story in a way that connects you with others. Music can be healing and empowering and cathartic. When you hear an honest song that rings true with your own experience then something says “You’re not alone.” Music gives us permission to be human knowing that others have traveled similar roads and endured similar storms. It’s rewarding as a music producer to help artists give voice to their soul through song and to communicate a resonant truth. To watch that passion being unlocked in an artist as they record their music is very fulfilling as a producer.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew how important it would be for me to live in a creative place like Nashville which has been a city full of resources for me as a producer. I get to draw and glean from the best of the best. It’s like how if a basketball player plays on a strong team then it makes them a better player. I get to collaborate with award-winning songwriters and producers and artists and I am the better for it. If someone doesn’t live in a creative hub then they should definitely try to make trips out to one to collaborate with like-minded passionate creatives. You can only grow from being immersed in this sort of a creative culture.

Contact Info:

• Website: ryansmithmusicproduction.com
• Instagram: @ryansmittymusic
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/ryan-smith-72338153

Image Credits
Photos by Haley Maria Smith