Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Bale.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in New Jersey but grew up in Charlotte, NC. I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old. I got Guitar Hero III for Christmas and when I was taking a break from playing it, I remember my dad asking me “do you want to see someone who can really play the guitar?” Then, he showed me Led Zeppelin’s concert movie, the Song Remains the Same. I was totally blown away by Jimmy Page’s guitar playing and knew right then and there, that’s what I wanted to do. Soon, I joined my local School of Rock and started learning how to play with others.
Throughout middle and high school, I was forming bands, booking shows, and playing out as much as I could. Then, I went to Berklee College of Music to study Guitar Performance and Music Business. At that time, I felt very insecure about my voice, so I always tried to hide behind my guitar. I played in a few bands in college, ranging from hard rock to electro-pop to jazz. The most notable one was The Cotones, a band that got to record with acclaimed producers Steve Albini and Joel Hamilton at the Berklee studios.
After graduating, I started teaching and continued pursuing my bands in Boston. I got engaged at the beginning of 2020 and thought it was going to be my year, like everyone else. Then, COVID happened. The Cotones released their debut album around that time, but our album release show was canceled and eventually, that band broke up. Without the ability to perform, I needed a way to still express myself creatively. That’s when I started teaching myself music production and working on my own solo material. I was finally able to get over my insecurity about my singing voice and just started making music that meant something to me. I found a level of fulfillment in making my own music that I had never really felt before. I was really struggling with my mental health at that time, so having a creative outlet to process those emotions was so important.
In August of last year, my fiancé broke up with me. I immediately knew that it was time for me to move to Los Angeles. I was devastated, but I knew that I needed to keep moving, keep making music. I moved back in with my parents in Charlotte for about a month while I got my ducks in a row and then moved out to LA in September. During this time, I started writing my debut EP. I was talking to a friend on the phone about the breakup and made a joke that I should write one song for each of the stages of grief. Then, he told me that was actually a pretty good idea, so I devoted the next few months to creating it. I was struggling with severe depression while I was making the EP, but it kept me going through a dark time. On Friday, June 11th, I dropped that EP entitled Good Grief!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My own biggest obstacle has been myself. I struggle with both anxiety and depression that can sometimes make it impossible to function. Over these last few months though, I’ve really been working on my mental health. I feel I’m making a lot of progress with it now.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an alternative rock artist who writes and produces his own material. I’d say that I’m known for fiery guitar solos and for pouring a lot of raw, genuine emotion into the music I make. I’m extremely proud of this EP that I just released because it showcases all the progress I’ve made as a songwriter and producer.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I couldn’t have made this EP without some help from my friends Jack Dinger, Stone Panunzio, Brad Williamson, and so many more that contributed tracks and helpful feedback to the project.
Contact Info:
- Email: ryanbalework@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.ryanbale.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbalemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbalemusician
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCapMFV2OBWkmgTcStrdgOXw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbalemusic
