Introducing Ryan Holmes
Robert Neil
Prestwick singer/songwriter, Ryan Holmes, released his debut album, The Actor (The Director’s Cut), on 30th October.
I met up with Ryan ahead of the launch to discuss his musical odyssey so far. He seemed fairly relaxed for someone about to bare his soul to the world.
Asked how he began making music, Ryan said: “I started playing the viola in Primary 4, partly because my mum played the violin. That sparked my interest in the instrument.”
At fifteen, he is articulate and engaging, with a wonderfully dry sense of humour. He told me that he has played with The Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, The West of Scotland Symphony Orchestra and The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra as well as performing his own material with Scott Nicol.
“Scott has been a huge part of my journey as a singer and musician. His business, Possibility Screams, has provided fantastic mentoring for me and other artists.”
Barely catching his breath, Ryan also spoke highly of multi-instrumentalist, Brian MacDonald: “Brian Is an exceptionally talented musician, and he makes playing music look so easy and fun.”
Brian is one half of the MacDonald Brothers and is also a very talented producer. He produced Ryan’s first single, ‘Streams of Fire’.
Ryan continued his praise: “Working with Brian, Scott and Rhona Bryden, another Ayrshire singer/songwriter (who provided lead vocals) in the studio really helped me to build my confidence to perform.”
Of the tracks I have listened to from the album so far, I have heard many unique styles of music filtering through. I quizzed Ryan about the eclectic nature of these tracks. Laughing, he said: “That is down to my mum. She plays music a lot around the house but especially in the car. If I hear something that I like it filters through and has an influence on my sound.”
Ryan said Scott recommended Sam Gallacher of EssGee Productions in Cambuslang when Brian McDonald was unavailable because of prior commitments.
“Sam immediately put me at ease and made recording great fun. The mixing desk was daunting at first – it looked like a spaceship’s control panel – but Scott and I had a brilliant time. Sam also plays a wide range of instruments and is an excellent drummer.
“The fantastic Aimee Penman and Diane Merson-Jones also helped out providing vocals and fiddles and I even played some keyboard on some of the tracks.”
I then asked Ryan to explain what his vision for the album was. He explained it’s about his musical journey so far.
“‘You Don’t Know Me’ opens the album and is the oldest song, and the newest track, ‘The Actor’, closes it.
The album gives a good representation of how my sound has progressed. At the start of the album, I sound so young and you can really hear it in my vocal. By the time we reach ‘The Actor’ I am an old man of fifteen!”
When asked what he thinks the future holds for him his face lit up.
“I really do love playing live and getting up on stage. I would eventually love to play some of the big festivals. I just love playing live and creating my own music. I have been extremely fortunate to have such a supportive team behind me, and I want to repay them by being the best I can be. I am profoundly grateful to all who have helped me and shared this journey thus far.”
Ryan’s album launch night, at the stunning Western House Hotel in Ayr on 30th October, was the perfect place to showcase the opening act in this young performer’s story.
