Ryder Beer On His Latest Single, “One That Got Away”
Ryder Beer creates music where listeners can see parallels into their own lives wrapped up in a sonically upbeat song. Beer began to get the ball rolling by publishing music under his name in 2023. His latest single, “One That Got Away,” was released September 27th. Fueled by nostalgia, the high energy song is just the beginning of Beer’s journey.
What was the beginning of your interest in music and your musical journey so far?
So I started up drumming when I was such a little kid. I think I was seven or eight, maybe even younger. And it kind of transformed into guitar and producing and everything else but singing. I always knew I could sing, but eventually when I was 11 or 12, I was like, “I'm doing all this other music stuff, I might as well just try to sing on my own records.” And so I gave it a shot and it pretty much never stopped.
And you went to Berklee (College) to study music?
I did. I went to Berklee for a semester or two. I don’t really have anything bad to say about it. I met really, really awesome people that I still hang out with today. It was a great experience. I just think I needed to get right in the studio and start to release music. I just didn't think it was the right space for me at the time, especially during Covid and all that was going on. But I really did meet some awesome people from it, and I don't regret going at all.
What got you into music production?
Actually, this studio in Long Island called The Loft Sound Studio. There's a guy there named Donnie, and he is the one that taught me.
You released your first single, “Can’t Take It.” just about a year ago under your name. What was the process like of finding your footing as a musician and exploring your sound?
I just did a lot of writing, and then we kind of just stumbled upon “Can't Take It,” and we were just all so happy with it. So we kind of just were like, “why are we waiting anymore for something that's so good already?” We just jumped out the gate and started releasing. The only reason why we took so long for the next track is because I’m such a perfectionist and I just needed it to be perfect. But I promise you I won't make anyone wait that long again.
What about that song specifically made you want it to be your debut single?
I just thought it was a really easy listen. I didn't think it was something that was so intricate and so, “is this good? Is this bad? Is this something?” I just thought it was a good track for ear candy and for people to get to know my voice without scaring anyone way too fast.
When you're saying that you wanted to explore different genres but wanted to have your own sound, are there any genres that you're looking to explore as you continue in your music journey?
I would love to make a house record one day or an EDM type of vibe, but that's definitely down the line.
“One That Got Away” was just released a few weeks ago. And when explaining this single, you said that “It could’ve been your first love or your last love. Or maybe just a girl you saw across the bar. Everyone has felt the feeling of a girl that just slipped right out of their hands. I want people to relate to this song in that way.” Could you talk about the backstory behind this single, what really inspired it?
I mean, even like what you just said, everyone has felt that feeling of what could have been and whether you haven't or you have, you've definitely thought about it at least. And even just going to camp at such a young early age, I know that's not such an LA thing, but it is an East Coast thing. Even going to camp and having little tiny young camp loves and just those feelings all were so memorable to me looking back. And it was a no-brainer that I had to write this song from all the relationships that I've been in and the people that I've maybe let get away. And I just wanted everyone to be able to relate to that feeling. And I know that nostalgic feeling of young love is so powerful. So I just really wanted to emphasize on that and make a record out of it.
Do you look to make a lot of the messages in your songs, something that you feel like the audience can relate to?
Yeah, of course. I'm always trying to get a reaction out of the crowd. I'm always trying to really hit it on the head. I want someone to be like, “whoa, this is spot on.”
In terms of actually crafting that song, where did that start from? Was there an instrument you started with? Was it the lyrics or an instrumental melody?
Honestly, it was really just the message of the song. It was just like, “what do we want to write about?” And I remember being in the studio and I was just like, “why don't we write about the one that got away or something.” I don't know if it was exactly that. It was a little bit ago. Or “the one that slipped away,” I said something like that. And then I remember the producer we were working with was kind of like, “I love that. Let's just start writing it right now.” I've personally never heard of a track that's like that. So I was like, “how wasn't that on a track already?” But beyond the record, I just thought the message was so cool.
I know you have a background in producing, do you produce your singles now?
I co-produce, but I don't fully produce. I just think the writing process takes away so much of the production process and doing them both at the same time is kind of two different parts of my brain, and it's just hard for me to hold all the eggs in the basket type vibe.
What's your songwriting process? Is there a specific headspace that you have to be in or does it just come to you?
I just like to be with good people. I like to be surrounded by good artists and good producers. I want to go to a studio session and be like, “let's hang out on a weekend night and just write music.” I don't want to be like, “all right, we're working,” you know what I mean? I hate that “we're working” type of vibe, even though it is hard work 100%, but I want to come over and bring a case of White Claws and hang out and in the middle of the session. And if we're not feeling it, put on a movie or something. I want to be with those types of people. That's where the best stuff comes.You have to be surrounded by good people and make good music.
You were born on the East Coast and now you live in LA. What are some differences that you notice between LA and New York regarding the music scene?
New York is too fast for me, honestly. I like LA. I do, even though I grew up in New York. LA feels like home to me. Musically, I just like everyone's vibe out here better. I know people say LA people are fake, but I feel like it's the complete opposite to me, at least the experience that I have.
Any new music coming up?
Not that I can give any names to, but I promise you there's stuff coming.
In this year, what is one goal that you want to accomplish?
I want to feel comfortable with myself as an artist. And be an established artist and have a good amount of music out in a portfolio where I could start performing and showing people and the world my music. Honestly, I don't think it's performing at Madison Square Garden. That will never be my answer. I don't think it's anything to do with that. I just want people to hear my music connected on a deeper level.
