XEX MAGPhotography Tarik Carroll
Styling Sheldon Dash Gray
Photo Assistants Mark Anglin & Mutara Gresham
All Clothing Provided by Studmuffin NYC & Ben Copperwheat
Interview Donovan Blyden
You explore with different sounds, Hip Hop, Dubstep, & Pop. What is the formula for a She Is Ryan record?
A She’s Ryan record has no formula. When writing, I try my hardest not to TRY and sound like what’s currently out. I like to vibe out to a record, and let the melody and lyrics flow. Whether I go straight into the booth and record, or write everything down with pen and paper, every sound is organic, and comes from a happy place inside of me. The goal is to make sonically stimulating music that people can relate to.
You recently released a snippet of your upcoming track “On My Mind” which sounds the most different from your previous material. What inspired the track and direction?
I realized that being a brand new artist, we kind of have to hold back our biggest, cross over records, and put out the more simple material first. Build a following before putting out your best work. On my mind is a phenomenal record, but I also have huge stadium music. Anthems. And I believe before putting something as big as that out, I should start a bit smaller, and let everything build up. My previous record, Never Growin’ Up, is huge. It can be played everywhere from MTV to a Disney Movie. In order for people to recognize this, I have to build my buzz, and attain that platform, so that the world can see what I’m capable of. So I started over with On My Mind, and it’s doing extraordinarily well.
Who are some of the producers you have worked with on your upcoming E.P “S.I.R”?
For this EP, I’ve worked with one producer. His name is Fame School Slim aka Slimmy Neutron.
Who are some of your musical inspirations past & present?
I am completely inspired by the women in music who are fearless, strong, and unafraid to be themselves. The women who push the envelope musically, and also with their personal style. I was, and still am inspired by Aaliyah and Amy Winehouse before their passing. I am also currently inspired by Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Sade, Kelis, Missy Elliot, Janelle Monae, and many more.
What was the first song that you were obsessed with?
The first song that I was ever obsessed with was Aaliyah – Try Again. I was in elementary school when it was released. I would come into class and sing it daily. I would write the lyrics in the back of my notebook, and i even choreographed a full dance routine to the song 🙂 It was quite hilarious.
We have seen you pull off everything from long violet locs & thigh high boots to box braids & distressed denim. How would you define your personal style?
One word to describe my personal style would be, fearless. I do not follow trends. I walk into stores, whether high end, or the Good Will, and simply pick up what makes me feel good. Of course my favorite aesthetic would be the all black, leather, with many layers. I’m far from clean cut. My closet is a world of Chic, Grunge, Punk, madness. I love it.
Tattoos are very much apart of the She Is Ryan image. When did your fascination with ink begin?
When I was 19, I was in a very depressed state. I was walking around my neighborhood at the time and I was smoking a cigarette outside of a tattoo shop in Clinton Hill Brooklyn named, Greene Ave Tattoo. A big man stepped outside and started speaking to me. He ended up later being my boss, mentor, and what I’d like to think, my guardian angel. He embraced me, taught me how to do tattoos, and every tattoo I have on my body was done by him.
What tatts are you still looking to get?
I really want a “third eye” inspired tattoo right under my breasts. I am heavily into meditation, chakras, energy, and the Buddhist teaching.
I believe what makes Brooklyn so special is that we are one big creative melting pot of people. we have everything in Brooklyn form Galleries, music halls, boutiques, mom and pop coffee shops, immaculate condos, beautiful brownstones, one of the best art schools in NYC, and MORE! All easily accessible. That barely exists in any other borough but Manhattan. I love Brooklyn.
How do you relate to the concept of bizarre? Technically, anything not considered “normal” is Bizarre to people. But what is considered normal to me, may not be normal to you. The same with something being “bizarre”. What is bizarre to me, may be completely normal to you. So everything is subjective. Who knows, maybe I’m bizarre.
What can our readers expect from a She Is Ryan concert? A she’s Ryan concert is high energy. Full of dancing, crowd participation. I like to look the audience in the eyes and own the stage. Performing is my favorite part of being a music artist, and anyone who has ever been to a show, knows this.
Full Feature Available in XEX Magazine’s Noir Edition