Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Tree.
Ryan, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born in Plano, Texas but grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Unlike many artists today who take the stage at an early age, my journey began in high school. It wasn’t until I was 16 that I developed a love for music. I spent school nights practicing on a classic Fender Stratocaster and learning tabs from punk rock bands such as Blink-182, Green Day, Rise Against and AFI. Though I enjoy the guitar, I was most passionate about singing and songwriting. I found a new appreciation for music upon studying abroad in Hong Kong, where I reflected on my experiences to tell stories. After graduating from Syracuse University in 2009, I began playing at open mics and recording myself using a home studio and GarageBand. I produced a 16-track demo and sent it out to the world through Myspace. Within a few weeks, an alternative metal band from Montreal, Canada picked up on my talent and asked me to audition, which led me to become the frontman of Unfixed. Over the next three years, we produced a rock-solid EP and toured throughout Quebec, all the while I was living and working across the border in Burlington, Vermont.
In 2012, I made a tough decision to pursue a business opportunity back in Arizona, but I never stopped writing music. I officially launched my solo career by releasing my debut single and music video White Lights. With the help of chief engineer Jon Weil, I continued to record my first album Illusions at Uranus Recording of Tempe, owned by Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms. It was this year that I set a foundation to focus all of my efforts on human and animal welfare. I partnered with HALO Animal Rescue to save the lives of shelter pets in What I’m Living For, and ’Til I Believe received a personal “thank you” from PETA. In 2015, I teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer Jeremy Parker to record End To The Suffering. The song and music video provide insight into Veterans with PTSD, which gained national attention as they were chosen to feature at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. This experience ignited a spark in me to create not only music but films. Alongside director Ryan Henry Johnston, I went on to produce our largest project to date, Legacy. The 7-minute music video and short film screened at a number of festivals including FilmQuest in Provo, Utah, and it won the Silver Award at the 2017 California Film Awards. We’ve since filmed numerous cause-driven music videos, and I’m beyond grateful to work with local artists who simply want to create. It’s been a long road, but it seems I’ve only started to make an impact. On July 1st, 2019, I am driving with my dog, Nixie, from Arizona to China to raise awareness of animal welfare, so it’s safe to say my journey has just begun.
We’d love to hear more about your work. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Whether it’s a song, music video, or film, my first goal is to invoke some type of emotion. I believe success in any form of art is dependent on feelings. It might be a subtle string section on a ballad or a fast-paced edit in a hard rock music video that causes you to feel something new. Sci-fi and fantasy films have played a huge role in shaping my imagination. I find so much excitement in challenging reality and encouraging creativity in others. I also believe that any new idea is the sum of preexisting ideas or experiences, so we essentially feed off of each other, which is why it’s important we support local and independent artists. The second reason why I pursue art is to inspire people to take action. Those who know me will tell you I’m a very positive person. I love helping people and animals, and through my actions, I’m hopeful others will follow. We all have the potential to do amazing things while on this Earth, we just have to overcome our fears and act. For those who follow social media, Will Smith recently started a bucket list campaign that reshaped my view on life. My advice for anyone who is waiting for the right time or opportunity to pursue your dream, don’t wait any longer. Go for it. Until you truly follow your heart, you will have no idea what you are capable of achieving.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I believe artists today have more power than ever to influence change. With digital and social media becoming an integral part of our lives, any one of us has the ability to reach millions of people with the click of a button. For the average musician, filmmaker, or otherwise, this can either be a blessing or a curse. I’ve been lucky to utilize the Internet to share my art to audiences around the world. This is fascinating to me because cultural, political, and environmental issues going on not only in the U.S. but internationally, change how my art is received. Art is a way for me to speak with people I would never have the chance to meet in person. I also feel local art is extremely important in building relationships with our communities and families. We, as artists, can bring comfort and compassion to those who need it the most. No matter what art form you pursue, and no matter how small you feel your contribution is to the world, I’m here to tell you that you are making a difference.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
The majority of my music can be found on iTunes or streamed on Pandora and Spotify, and you can watch our music videos and films on YouTube. This year, we are also launching Ryan Tree Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization that provides artists with funding and opportunities to educate our world about the desperate need for wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. We are working with 20 reputable groups from around the globe to raise awareness, and over the next few months, we will be sharing their stories and shedding light on the challenges they face every day. In an effort to inspire people to act, my dog Nixie and I will be driving in a Jeep 4×4 and a 16-foot Airstream from Phoenix, Arizona, across the United States and Canada, then shipping the vehicle from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Bruges, Belgium, and continuing on through Europe, Russia, Mongolia, and China to arrive in Hong Kong. We will be using film and photography to help people understand the importance of our environment and animals. You can follow our journey on Facebook, Instagram, or at ryantree.org. You can also follow the hashtag #nixieandtree.
Contact Info:
- Website: ryantree.org; ryantreemusic.com
- Email: ryantreefoundation@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryantreefoundation; https://instagram.com/ryantreemusic
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryantreefoundation; https://facebook.com/ryantreemusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rtreefoundation; https://twitter.com/rtreemusic
- Other: https://youtube.com/ryantreeofficial
Image Credit:
Daniel Tooker – Daniel Tooker Photography
Brian Tooker – BT Productions
Aiden Chapparone – Macaroni Vision
Michelle Engberg – Michelle Engberg Photography
Frédéric Garneau – Frédéric Garneau Photography
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