Artist > Ryan Star Biography
Every person has a story, and every story has a beginning. Every person's story is full of twists, turns, and just ordinary days that make up the occurance that we call life. Ryan Star (it's actually Ryan Stahr, but that comes later,) began his life in Long Island, New York in 1978, just shy of the leg warmers and spandex phenomenon we'd come to know as the eighties.
Born to parents with an interest in music, Ryan's childhood was a melting pot of solid rock 'n roll influences, including The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and Janis Joplin, among many others. From a young age, Ryan began unknowingly receiving his rock education that would very much be an integral part of his story.
Around age fourteen, Ryan picked up his brother's guitar, who had cast it to the wayside. He began to teach himself some of the iconic songs of the time (think Pearl Jam and Nirvana,) and he realized that well, he might be on to something, and it just might be something kind of big. Quickly becoming addicted to the newfound love for this drug, music, Ryan began to record himself on a cassette recorder, back in the day before CDs and computers nearly wiped out the now outdated technology.
At school, he sold his tapes, trying, at a young age, to get the name recognition that everyone longs for when trying to break into the music industry. A fellow classmate caught on, and he and Ryan decided to form a band, which they named Stage. They played all through high school, and even at the late C.B.G.B.'s, which very well became their musical beginnings.
After high school, Ryan and Stage stayed together, still writing and playing music. Though most bands break up when college comes, this band stayed together. Madonna caught wind of the band, and she signed them to a deal with Maverick Records. Ryan thought this was the break he and the band had been trying for, and he left college, heading to California to make it big.
They recorded their debut label album, self entitled, "Stage," in 2003. The album reflected the band's rock roots, meshed with the alternative influences of bands like Silverchair, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. One thing that was noteable was the lyrical content of the CD. The lyrics were more than catchy hooks and cliche phrases. They were lyrics that the listener could connect with emotionally, and personalize them with their own lives.
After touring with various bands all over the country, it came time for Stage to record a follow up album. However, Ryan wanted something different, and he felt it might be time to wean himself from the band and try and roll the dice as a solo artist.
The first song Ryan penned as a solo artist was "So Ordinary," which reflects his struggle to be something different than the norm. After all, it takes courage to leave everything you've known and try to do something completely different. And in the particularly harsh world that is the music industry, thousands of phenomenal artists go for years without as much as a mention. It can make or break a person, and their spirit. But what was it fate would have in the cards for Ryan?
If you've ever heard a Ryan Star song, you probably notice his voice, that is melodic and full of emotion, often backed by a striking piano melody or hypnotizing guitar riff. Something about the way Ryan sings and the lyrics he's singing have a way of staying in one's head, long after the three and a half minutes are over....but would that be enough?
In 2005, Ryan released his first full length indie solo album "The Eye Of The Elephant" under the name R. Star. Along the way, he'd opted to drop the H in his last name. When Ryan describes that CD, he says, "My music has never sounded so honest," and he's right. Some of the lyrics seem very, very personal, about his life experiences and emotions. He just wanted people to hear his music. He wanted people to feel what he was feeling, and he did it.
In 2006, Ryan Star auditioned for the popular CBS Reality Show, "Rockstar: Supernova," for a chance to be the lead singer for the new rock band, Supernova, with Tommy Lee, Jason Newstead, and Gilby Clarke. If nothing else, reality music shows can be a great tool for exposure, but like nearly every other opportunity that comes in the music world, they can also make you, or break you. One off week, and even if you're a front runner, you could be out.
Approaching the task much like Ryan had approached his every other endeavor, he jumped in with both feet. Over the weeks, he performed songs by the Goo-Goo Dolls, Creedance Clearwater Revival, and Live, among others. But, it wasn't until the fifth week, and Ryan's performance of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" that people really began to take notice. The set-up was simply Ryan and a piano, where he excels most. Viewers were left speechless. This guy had come up out of nowhere, causing show co-host Dave Navarro to name him "Dark Horse." He landed the encore for his performance. Ryan's performance of "Losing My Religion" put him in a class with some of the other phenomenal reality show performances, like Dilana's (of "Rockstar: Supernova,") "Lithium," and Constantine Maroulis' (of "American Idol,") "Bohemian Rhapsody."
In the weeks that followed, he tackled The Rolling Stones, then he landed in the bottom three, where he sang the somewhat chilling "Enjoy The Silence." He bounced back with Phil Collins, (where he landed a second encore with "In The Air Tonight.") Week eight allowed Ryan to debut (to the world,) one of his original songs, "Back Of Your Car." It showed the television audience that Ryan had the ability to write songs, and not just any songs, but songs you wanted to listen to over, over, and over again. Week nine would be Ryan's last week in the competition. The song "Clocks" by Coldplay was chosen for him. He gave the performance everything, even diving from atop the piano. But, in the end, he was one of the bottom three. Even after a performance of "Baba O'Riley," Ryan was eliminated from the show. Oh but don't think that was the end. Not by a long shot. Ryan was chosen by the fans to come back and perform his original "Back Of Your Car," in the "Rockstar: Supernova" finale.
Also, nearly immediately following his elimination from the show, he recorded a live album of several of his originals and a few covers he'd performed on "Rockstar." The album was appropriately named "Dark Horse," and made waves on iTunes, leaving Ryan in the top folk albums for weeks on end.
Ryan then decided he wanted to play his music for the fans. He joined Cheyenne Kimball in the Fall of 2006, and played several shows (our girl Kim caught the one in L.A.,) and proved that he was just as good live as his albums had promised he would be. He also played a gamut of solo dates, several of which sold out.
Now in Ryan's future is a studio album. It is highly likely fans will get more of what they love: Ryan's honest, and somewhat unusual lyrics, that satisfy the need for something different than everything else on the radio today.
Ryan's story is still being written. But his story has already begun.
--- Written by RSF.com's Tiff.
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