• Comment: Needs a couple more high quality sources which treat the subject in depth. Lewisguile (talk) 12:32, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

RYLAND
RYLAND photographed in Eugene, Oregon, 2024
RYLAND photographed in Eugene, Oregon, 2024
Background information
Birth nameRyland Adams
Born (1999-09-29) September 29, 1999 (age 25)
Dayton, Oregon, U.S.
Genres
  • Alternative pop
  • Indie rock
  • Electronic
  • Bedroom pop
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Record producer
  • Multi-instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
Years active2014–present
LabelsIndependent
Websiteryland.komi.io

RYLAND (born September 29, 1999) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His music blends alternative pop, indie rock, and electronic elements with intimate songwriting.[1] He gained recognition through singles like "SCREAMIN" and "Denial" before releasing his debut EP "*Showing Friends" in 2024.[2][3]

Early life

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Ryland Adams was born and raised in Dayton, Oregon. His musical foundation began with piano lessons in grade school, studying for two and a half years. He later transitioned to guitar in middle school, developing his instrumental skills while participating in student-created performances and school dances. Despite his small school's limited musical programs, these early creative experiences helped shape his artistic direction.[4]

Career

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2014–2018: Blue Marion era

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Adams began performing professionally as part of Blue Marion, a high school rock band he formed with Tommy Lee (guitar), Thomas McKay (bass), and Owen McLoud (drums). The group specialized in classic rock, grunge, and punk covers, performing at local festivals throughout the Dayton area. This period marked Adams' first experience with collaborative musicianship and live performance.[1]

2018–2022: Production beginnings

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Following high school, Adams began exploring music production independently. Teaching himself digital audio workstations, he initially worked with FL Studio before finding his preferred platform in Ableton. This period marked a significant shift from live band performance to solo production, as he developed his skills in recording, mixing, and mastering.[4]

 
Cover art for "Dopamine" (2022)

2022–2023: Early singles

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Adams debuted as RYLAND with the release of "Dopamine" in April 2022. Throughout 2023, he released a series of singles including "Denial" and "SCREAMIN," which helped establish his signature sound blending electronic production with organic instrumentation. These releases showcased his evolution as both a producer and songwriter, setting the stage for his future artistic development.[2][5]

 
Cover art for "Denial" (2023)
 
Cover art for "SCREAMIN" (2023)

2024: Portland move and "*Showing Friends"

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In 2024, RYLAND relocated to Portland, Oregon, marking a new phase in his artistic development. On September 29, 2024—his 25th birthday—he released his debut EP "*Showing Friends."[2] The 10-track collection, running just over 17 minutes, features songs titled with specific dates, creating a chronological narrative of personal experiences. The EP represents a departure from his previous release strategy, compiling tracks that had previously only been shared with close friends.[1] Critics noted the project's ability to "navigate through different musical landscapes with ease," highlighting RYLAND's boundary-pushing approach.[3]

 
Cover art for "*Showing Friends" EP (2024)
 
Cover art for "get by rn" (2024)

Social media presence

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Following "SCREAMIN"'s release, RYLAND established a significant presence on social media, particularly through TikTok livestreams. His daily broadcasts feature a mix of live guitar performances, unreleased music previews, gaming sessions, and direct fan interaction. Despite his initial reluctance toward social media, these streams have become a cornerstone of his artistic identity, fostering a growing community of supporters.[4]

Reception

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"*Showing Friends" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its innovative approach and emotional depth. VideoMusicStars highlighted the EP's "unique sound, blending the alternative edges of various genres into one smooth, cohesive style."[3] SoundLooks celebrated the project's genre-bending qualities, noting RYLAND's ability to "push boundaries while maintaining accessibility."[5]

Critics particularly noted the single "Get By RN," which was described as having a "cinematic feeling" that creates "an atmosphere that feels both familiar and fresh."[3] Lyrics And Threads praised RYLAND's experimental approach, emphasizing how it "appeals to those who crave variety in their music but don't want to sacrifice depth or emotion."[6]

The EP has been recognized as cementing RYLAND's position as "one of Portland's most exciting up-and-coming artists."[3][1] Reviews consistently highlighted his ability to create music that balances innovation with emotional resonance, with critics noting how "*Showing Friends" succeeds in "turning everyday moments into memorable sonic experiences."[5]

Musical style and production

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Influences and development

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RYLAND's musical style draws from diverse influences including Nirvana, Sublime, Radiohead, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Rick Rubin, and Rage Against the Machine.[1] His production approach evolved from technically complex arrangements to a more balanced style that he describes as adding "dashes of dope production to simple things." This evolution reflects his growing confidence as both a producer and performer.[4]

Technical setup

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RYLAND's studio setup centers around Ableton Live for production, complemented by a hardware collection including:

  • Fender Telecaster electric guitar
  • Taylor acoustic guitar
  • Fender P-Bass
  • MIDI controllers

This equipment forms the foundation of his home recording studio, where he handles all aspects of production independently.[1]

Discography

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Extended plays (EPs)

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  • *Showing Friends (2024)

Singles

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Title Year
"Switchblade (FU)" 2024
"KNOW" 2024
"get by rn" 2024
"Sunday" 2023
"SCREAMIN" 2023
"Throw Your Hands Up" 2023
"Pretty With Short Hair" 2023
"Denial" 2023
"Dopamine" 2022

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "RYLAND's '*Showing Friends': A Genre-Defying Journey of Emotion, Craft and Innovation". JamSphere. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  2. ^ a b c "RYLAND Makes Waves with New Album '*Showing Friends'". Disrupt Weekly. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  3. ^ a b c d e "RYLAND's *Showing Friends Takes Us on a Journey Through Sound and Soul". VideoMusicStars. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  4. ^ a b c d "RYLAND's '*Showing Friends': 10 Tracks of Sonic Innovation and Emotion". Review Indie. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  5. ^ a b c "Discover RYLAND's *Showing Friends: A Genre-Bending Musical Masterpiece". SoundLooks. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  6. ^ "RYLAND: New Project *Showing Friends". Lyrics And Threads. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
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Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:American male singers Category:American record producers Category:Musicians from Oregon Category:Singer-songwriters from Oregon Category:Alternative pop musicians Category:American alternative rock musicians Category:American electronic musicians Category:American multi-instrumentalists Category:Independent musicians Category:Musicians from Portland, Oregon Category:Record producers from Oregon Category:Alternative rock singers Category:21st-century American singers Category:21st-century American male singers Category:American male songwriters Category:Indie pop musicians Category:DIY culture Category:Bedroom pop musicians Category:People from Yamhill County, Oregon Category:Ableton Live users