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ERIC RYAN: HOW THE RISING STAR IS CONTRIBUTING A FRESH TAKE TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY


Eric Ryan is a 25 year old recording artist from Toronto, Canada. Eric’s artistry embodies new sounds mixing R&B, Neo-soul, Lo-fi & Alternative influences all into one; diving into & connecting his experiences in love, life hardships & self thought.

Hello Eric Ryan, Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your career.

Tell us a little more about when you first got into music?

I grew up listening to a lot of music; my mom introduced me to a lot of rock… like Green Day & Fall Out Boy when I was like 10. I used to fall asleep to the American Idiot album when I’d go to sleep hahaha. My dad on the other hand put me onto Boyz 2 Men, D’Angelo, Usher & a bunch of R&B legends while singing his heart out in the car when he would pick me up for the weekends. I think that had an influence on me cause when I would get home I’d often find myself practicing singing in my moms closet and recording myself via voice memo. 

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As for writing my own music I was a late bloomer… I think the idea sparked in 2017 when I heard Get You by Daniel Caesar for the first time. I remember listening to it and having tears in my eyes cause it was so beautiful hahaha! I was like “man… if I could write music, I’d want to make stuff that made people feel the way this song made me feel” Fast forward to 2018, I was downtown Toronto watching some of my friends performing their own music at a dive bar and it just hit me… “maybe I should try making my own music. These guys are having so much fun up there on stage, imagine if I could do that”. Fast forward a little more to fall of 2019; I started writing my own songs in my moms basement (they were pretty trash hahaha). However, one thing led to another and eventually I ended up building enough confidence to put some of my songs out into the world. It gained some traction & showed me that there were people out there that actually liked to listen to my stuff, so I felt that I should keep going… I guess that brings us to today 🙂

 

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If you could describe your sound/style in one word, what would it be and why?

Feels. All of my writing comes from the crazy feelings/emotions I felt while going through life/past relationships in ways I didn’t know how to describe at the time.

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What would you say to any aspiring recording artists who look up to your work?

If I had the chance to tell Frank Ocean & Daniel Caesar something I’d probably say “Thank you for blessing the world with your art & thank you for saving my life” hahaha

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What quote or mantra do you live by?

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All Love Always.

 

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What is your hobby outside of music?

I recently started skateboarding again… I find it similar to music as my mind loses track of time when I’m doing it which is pretty cool. 

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Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Honestly I have no clue… Just taking it day by day. If I could live comfortably off my music career that would be more than enough. Just making dope music with the homies & spreading love through art around the world is a dream come true. It would also be nice to have a tour or two under my belt…

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What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. 

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Get out of your head. I found that often when writing I’d get overwhelmed/quit cause I’d constantly be over judging my music at every step of the creating process. I learned that you just gotta put it all on the table and worry about making the finer details later once the foundations are laid out.

Dont be afraid to experiment. Whether it’s trying a different style of writing, collaborating, different beats, etc. You might surprise yourself/learn new things in the process. When I was writing Shine, my producer Bryan said “why don’t we try adding strings?” At first, I was reluctant to this idea but then said why not… adding it ended up making the whole song feel way more full/cinematic, making me love the song even more.

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Write everything down. Your thoughts, stories you remember, cool sayings you heard in a conversation, movie, etc. They could make for great lyrics/song ideas… Soleil was partly inspired by a story Shqdel shared with me about this relationship she was in at the time… saying that she felt warm everytime she was around him, like how when the sun feels on your skin on a hot summer day.

Don’t compare, You’re on your own journey. Early on, I often compared myself to others and put myself down when I wasn’t achieving the same amount of progress as them… To which I now know is really toxic to the mind. Since realizing that everybody has their own path and I should just focus on my own, it’s taken a ton of weight off my back thinking about my own career.

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Never forget why you started. I find that a lot of artists (including myself) often get stressed/distracted by progress, how many streams you have, how much content you’re putting out, etc… and although it is important, sometimes it just gets overwhelming and I’d feel lost at times. Sitting here now, I think it’s just as equally if not more important to remember why you’re here in the first place: for the love of music & creating art that’s true to you.

 

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Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Honestly I’d say to read the five points i’d listed earlier, hahaha! But if i were to focus on burning out, I’d say don’t compare yourself to others, & focus on creating music for love/fun of it & expressing yourself. I’d also say its important to live your life outside of music… (go on an adventure, learn a skill, fall in love, get your heart broken, etc.) all these life experiences are things you can write about more clearly once you’ve experienced them first hand.

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Do you have anything new or upcoming we can expect to see from you?

I’ve got a new single coming out October 14th called Everytime 🙂 Aside from that I’ve been cooking up a bunch of songs this summer so expect to see more releases soon!

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What is the inspiration behind your latest song?

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When writing Everytime, it made me reminisce about a past relationship I had with this girl… where the love was so toxic but it felt so good to be around her, almost like an addiction.

 

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How can our readers follow you online?

Instagram: ericryanpascual

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Twitter: ericryanpascual

Tiktok: ericryanofficial

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Youtube: Here

Soundcloud: ericryanpascual

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Spotify: Here

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Artist Spotlight

Catlea unveils soulful rhythmic melodies with boldly introspective triumph in new EP “Bones”

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Music lovers are prepared to experience a striking new soundscape as Catlea, the eclectic singer-songwriter known for her thoughtful lyrical style, drops her latest EP, “Bones,” a four-track sonic adventure through euphoria, introspection, and reinvention. This release marks Catlea’s stirring ability to effortlessly blend elements of indie-pop and even hints of R&B disco sound with soul sensibilities that defy boundaries and invite listeners to dance, reflect, and lose themselves in the music.

The EP, led by the upbeat title track, Bones,” is a hypnotic indie-pop anthem lush with soulful vibes, polished with a light brush of disco, and primed to get heads bobbing and feet moving. It’s a joyous opening that gives fans a taste of Catlea’s undeniable knack for weaving diverse influences into something fresh and captivatingly energetic.

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Next, the second track, Crumbling,” takes a soulful turn, enveloping listeners in a world of raw vulnerability and reflection. Here, Catlea opens up about the unsettling reality of ‘crumbling‘ after a period of illusion and the resolve to rebuild oneself. This song’s heartfelt lyrics exude the poignant experience of the emotional range of facing one’s insecurities with a sense of abandonment that flows seamlessly, demonstrating her artistic versatility.

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Following is the heart-wrenching third track, Lying,” a mesmerizing lyrical powerhouse that dives into the bittersweet honesty of wishing to have lied about infidelity in pursuit of happiness. With a reflective anthemic chorus, Catlea confronts her emotions head-on, wrestling with the complexities of vulnerability in relationships. It is a bold narrative showcasing a daring edge to make the personal universal.

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Closing the EP is Like Me,” a beautifully emotional ballad that marries timeless rhythmic piano chords, a soulful acoustic guitar strum, and trance-like synth pads. It perfectly encapsulates her complex duality of yearning for closure while exhausted by the lingering memories of being overdramatic due to love loss.

With the release of “Bones,” Catlea presents a profound exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the path to healing, enhanced by her signature engaging storytelling and melodic sophistication. This EP is a vulnerable masterclass likely to establish her as a distinctive voice within the music industry. It is poised to be a significant addition to her expanding discography, appealing to long-time admirers and new listeners discovering her artistry. “Bones” is expected to make a lasting impact on the playlists of music enthusiasts.

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For more information about Catlea, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Catlea’s EP Bones on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Catlea | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |

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Shyfrin Alliance ignites rock’s core with grit anthemic sparks in his recent single “Lockdown”

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Shyfrin Alliance smashes the blues-rock door wide open with “Lockdown,” a blazing track that promises a spot on every rock lover’s playlist. Kicking off with a blistering guitar solo, the single, an instant ignition, sets the stage for a thrilling musical adventure, carrying listeners on an adrenaline-fueled trip into tricky rock terrain. Frontman Eduard Shyfrin’s gravelly vocals growl with fiercely modern intensity, churning through gritty riffs and face-melting solos reminiscent of classic rock’s most iconic anthems.

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The dynamic drum beats and catchy guitar rhythms, combined with the stunning accompanying lyric video, are intensely immersive. Flashes of abstract landscapes, glimpses of community moments, and party scenes alternate with close-ups of Shyfrin at work in the recording studio, drawing audiences into the heart of the song’s passion. This combination of visuals and heartfelt lyrics transforms “Lockdown” into a whole sensory experience that hits on every emotional level.

Shyfrin’s narrative adds another layer to this powerhouse track. Classically trained in piano during his childhood in Ukraine, Eduard’s career took a detour into metallurgy and business before a personal crisis led him back to music with a renewed mindset. With “Lockdown” and his debut album Upside Down Blues,’ Shyfrin Alliance marks the bold comeback of a man who channels life experience into every note. The song “Lockdown” is a true anthem for those who crave rock’s purist energy. It showcases Shyfrin Alliance as a band ready to make a lasting impact, unrestrained and roaring with purpose.

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For more information about Shyfrin Alliance, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Shyfrin Alliance’s Lockdown on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Shyfrin Alliance | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |

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