- Words Cal McIntyre
- Photography Nathan Bajar
The mesmerising and intimate Ryahn invites us into her universe where there is always light even in the darkest of places waiting to help you.
Allow us to introduce you to the girl soon to be on everyone’s lips. Hailing from Florida, Ryahn is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter that crafts songs straight from where they were born – her heart and soul.
Ryahn’s luscious and smooth vocals take centre stage on top of her glimmering hooks that leave you instantly wanting to know more. With an air of mystery surrounding her, Ryahn doesn’t leave any listener feeling unacknowledged or not welcomed. With the release of her debut EP ‘Light Blue’, we figured we needed to know more about this emotive and intriguing artist on the rise.
Speaking about ‘Light Blue’, Ryahn reveals “I wrote this EP at an extremely low point that I considered my personal rock bottom. I would wake up every morning and the first thing I would do is roll out of my plastic bed and grab my guitar and rush outside to look at the morning sky and play songs. The hope that I felt in those moments would give me the energy to make it through the rest of the day. Morning after morning, I would play out on my back porch and it became a sort of therapy that slowly brought me out of a really painful state.”
With Ryahn’s deep-seated vocals and the presentation of each vulnerable emotion spilling from her lips, we can’t wait to be taken along through the rest of Ryahn’s journey as an artist.
Do you remember your dreams? Tell us about a recent dream you’ve had…
Just last night I dreamt I was at this weird beach resort. There were so many people and I kept trying to find a quiet space to be alone but random people kept finding me to complain to me about something lol. It was weird cause most of my dreams are recurring but I’ve never had this dream before. I woke up really abruptly.
What is the closest you’ve ever come to death?
When I was 4 I had a really bad case of pneumonia that was pretty scary for my parents. Besides that, I did the Hollywood sign hike a few months ago and I *literally* almost fell off a cliff! My friend had to grab me and pull me back. I haven’t hiked since.
Tell us, what is your first memory of music?
I remember this road trip to Atlanta with my family. My parents played all of the songs that are still my absolute favourites. “Silly” by Denise Williams, “Just A Friend” by Biz Marke, and “Loving You” by Minnie Riperton.
What’s your star sign?
I’m a Taurus. I think I’m a pretty typical Taurus – I’m stubborn af when it comes to things that I decide I want.
When was the first time you had your heart broken?
Romantically I’d say I’ve never truly been in love before. After losing my Dad a part of me died and that is the closest thing I can imagine heartbreak feeling like.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
I used to love B5 the boy band a lot. Brian was my fave.
Tell us one thing nobody / not many people know about you.
Not many people know that I dropped out of high school at 16. I was going through a lot in my life and just needed to focus on my well being and music.
What would your biography be called?
‘A Born Star,’ it holds a multitude of meaning for me. I have the Star of David tatted on my hand and my father’s name was David, so I kind of see myself as David’s Star. The six points of the star represent the six people in my family and the beautiful way that our souls met up together in this life.
What was the first song you ever wrote?
I used to write songs when I was a little kid on random pieces of paper. My first complete song that had a melody and everything was called “Angel.” I definItely want to release it in the near future.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice I was ever given was from my mom, she’s such an angel. She told me to never let anybody take me out of my peace and to stay in a happy place in my heart no matter what happens. There are a million things that happen every day that I could be all bent out of shape about but I literally try my hardest not to take anything personally and to deflect all the negative energy because I have to live with myself and that’s all that matters.
