The Story of Ryan Star Continues
by Tiffany McCann
In the music industry today, a lot of people claim to be musicians; however, few are true artists. Ryan Star encapsulates talent, stage presence, and passion on stage which flows through the words and melodies to his songs. He is not just a performer. Ryan Star is a master of his art. Within the first notes of the opening song, mere seconds, not only does Ryan have the attention of every person in the venue, but he has also opened a world, his world, a glimpse inside his head. That world is full of well-spoken, articulate prose set to music. Songs are not lyrically simple. Instead, they are complex, and each song tells a story. Each song makes one wonder what happened to cause the pen to meet the paper. What moments were experienced that led to those words? And within each song is an urgency that few artists can communicate in their music.
The urgency flows through each drumbeat, each chord on the bass guitar, each piano key, each pluck of the guitar string, wailing through speakers. Ryan does not need flashy costumes, an ostentatious light show. His passion and stage presence far exceed any need for pageantry. Instead, his intense voice meets the microphone, and the whispers begin, “Who is this guy, and how did I not hear about him sooner?” Almost as though one feels he or she is now in on one of the music industry’s best kept secrets. And within that secret, comes anticipation, what’s next? The possibilities are infinite, the words uncontained, bounding through the ears of those in attendance. The man on stage seems like he could be singing at an induction at the ‘Rock ‘n Roll’ Hall of Fame, or even the guy next door. He has a relatable, approachable quality, which translates through the honesty in his music.
The set list rolls on, and the audience is every bit as captivated as they were in the first moments, perhaps even more so. This is a guy you want to know. You want to hear more of his songs, more of his stories. More about the moments that have defined him and written the story of his life. Few musicians can go from a rock anthem like “Right Now” to the acoustic, and thought provokingly honest, “Breathe,” yet, Ryan handles the transitions flawlessly, managing to hang on to his honesty, and the urgency of his message: Are you living your purpose? Are you living in the moment? What is your ’11:59?’ What is your right now?
Find out this summer with Ryan Star’s ’11:59,’ his debut solo album on Atlantic Records.
* Tiffany M. (RSF.com)
