Profile: Brody Ryan

"The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast...
As the present now
Will later be past ...
For the times they are a-changin'."

-Bob Dylan, Times They are a Changin'



Brody Ryan unpacks his bags for the second time in less than a year, wondering how long it will be until he just fills them up again. His only constant is change, traveling over 3,000 miles in less than 12 months, settling in Arizona for a bit before returning to Ohio. He should be through rushing around, he should be worn out and ready to relax ... but an opportunity has presented itself and there's no time to hesitate. He's just started making moves.

A few weeks later we sat in the living room of his new condo. Well actually, it's a new "old" condo. It was his grandfathers (who recently moved to assisted living) and he is staying there with his girlfriend Samantha until his family can sell it. She is an aspiring model/writer herself and the two make a perfect pair. The place has a very heavy 70s vibe; the small rounded sectional couch with crazy floral pattern, palm tree lamp, and shag carpet. There are even some knick knacks in a display case. I had a flashback to my Grandmother's Boca time-share. But rent was free and it was still a very nice place, all new appliances, clean, even if the decor was dated. They had moved from Tempe (Samantha's home town) and were eager to save some money and pursue their dreams together in a new environment.

"Being a huge fan of music, one day I decided to not just be a fan but to create my own," he said over a few brews. "It wasn’t until I shared my music with a close friend and his enthusiastic response ignited a hope and the decision that others might enjoy my music as well." He goes by the name Shy F.A.M.E but he doesn't just sing and rap, he's a one man army, doing all his own lyrics, most of the beats and production ... while maintaining his own graphic design/photography website (http://shyfame.com/) as well. "Steez-O is my producer," he says, not wanting to take all the credit. "He mixes it all down."

Ryan's days usually start early. Around 8 a.m. he makes breakfast, has some coffee and a smoke, collecting his thoughts on the second floor balcony. He'll write a little or rehearse lines in his head. Then it's straight to recording and he won't stop until he has a substantial base to work with. He spends the evenings tweaking, adding loops, effects, and planing the next days session. If he's up late he works on the website or his photos. Building your rep is a full-time job, if you want it to be.

The master bedroom closet has been converted into a recording booth. Sound proof insulation and a studio quality mic and two laptops to store the takes. "I just come back here and get in the zone," he said smiling. "In my own little world." He grew up outside Columbus, a middle-classer. The public school, varsity basketball type until college at Bowling Green where he found his interests were in fashion, photography, design and of course music ... he still dabbles in all freely. It's obvious from the start that he is very passionate about WHATEVER he is doing.

However, there's a bit of that boyish wonder in his eyes when he mentions his under construction mix tape New Dawn New Day, or any other artist's work he is feeling at the particular moment for that matter. We talked for hours about the finer points of The Black Keys and Kid Cudi (Shy F.A.M.E. and Cudi ran with the same crowd in Cleveland before Kanye brought Cudi up to the major leagues). He even introduced me to some music I'd never heard before.

"You like the Keys? Then you have to check these guys out," he said, jumping out of his seat. He played a couple tracks by a band called The Sugar Thieves. I was digging it. We sipped on our Red Stripes and got back to the topic. He played me a party song he'd just finished up that day. It had swag.

"Haters creepin' in acting like they love us, eatin' all the peaches out the hairy buff tubes, but it's all love, let them live it up it's the weekend." The beat was original and the hook was quite catchy. It was easily better then Soldier Boy and that slop is on the radio all the time. He has been working extensively on the New Dawn New Day for the last 4 weeks and hopes to have it available for download later this fall.

It's not Brody Ryan's first attempt at putting out a record. Under his alias, Shy F.A.M.E he's already released Dawn of the X-Ordinary with help form his sponsor T.I.T.S. clothing (http://www.shoptits.com/) earlier this year. Check out Body So Cold and the Tom's Diner remix. Both will be stuck in your head for the next 3 days. The EP is getting heavy buzz on the internet thanks to the outer space rock/hip-hop/club infused cuts which are un-classifiable, constantly changing ... Radiohead meets Kool Kids with a Daft Punk backdrop and other elements that aren't on the periodic table. Truly extraordinary ... but as I've said he's wasting no time, not ready to simply ride a small wave of success. He want's bigger and better.

"I only have this situation (no rent, minimal bills) for so long, so I'm not really working other than on my music so I want to make as much as possible." He feels like he is on the clock, living on savings until he either breaks through or has to get a day job. There's also a video for his Starry Eyed remix set to shoot the following week and so fine tuning the concept is weighing on his thoughts as well.

"My soul is rising up," he explained. "The sun is shinning through me and I can see the tears in everyone's eyes shine like diamonds ... starry eyes. It will be on the new tape as well. I'm trying to continue innovating. Definitely more soulful, some dupstep, electronica, maybe some guitar riffs ... more experimenting." He has input or a hand in every aspect of his work, from the songs, to the photos, to the logos and so on ... something most established artists wished they could say. Anyway, it's nice to know nobody can make you look like an ass. Stay up to date at http://iamgogone.com/, his website for all news Brody Ryan related.

Of course music is abundant ... everywhere these days. So how do you separate the quality from the sub-par when making download choices? Why believe me when I say cop that new mix tape? Everything is constantly changing, evolving, cross-breeding ... so wriggly it's impossible to pin down a genre on anyone. Like many, Brody Ryan is a budding artist who is just finding his voice and his audience in a sea of noise but the difference between him and the worms peddling shit is simple. He's up before the early bird and he burns the midnight oil, putting in the time and energy necessary to make his dreams a reality. His brand and his reputation are growing ... he's no doubt working on both as I type this. Drive, vision, and talent will get you far in life. The only question now is how far? The clock is ticking ...


-J.R.