Beer may be a last name associated with thick bows in one’s chestnut hair, most likely teetering on a gigantic storybook. It’s always a little ‘Reckless,’ when one’s similar to Thumbelina, just like Madison Beer is. But as with most last names, they’re like a vining tree, entwining all sorts of people, even the one in the play den fighting over a toy xylophone.
Ryder is that here, as the younger brother, yet still as musically inclined, he recounts drumming his fingers against everything he could find. A straight scholarship into the Berklee School of Music and a fake smile over an impending breakup, the music was electrifying in Ryder’s debut with ‘Can’t Take It.’ And now we’re back for round two! Because you can’t pair a Ryder release without us talking about it (or to him), and we’ve been just as eager to ponder over the notion of forgiveness.
We spoke to Ryder about his new track, ‘One That Got Away,’ including its photo shoot, moody maroon lighting secured, which artist he’d like to sample, and more!
‘One That Got Away’
Hi Ryder! Welcome back to the hive. We first spoke to you when ‘Can’t Take It’ came out, and now that same alternative-dance track rhythm can be found in ‘One That Got Away.’ You’ve talked before about how you’d use everything from tissue boxes to milk cartons in the past to create sound. How has that interest in looking at things outside of the norm of instruments influenced your production choices?
Yes, thank you guys so much for having me back. Of course, I remember! And yes, ‘One That Got Away’ is a super fun track with a lot of intricate production sounds. I don’t wanna spoil too much, but it has a very simple bass line with a lot of cool top line, production instruments, and elements that clash extremely well. I can’t wait for the world to hear!
We’re particularly interested in the accompanying images of this track. There’s an old monitor set in the background for both of them, which is most likely appropriate for your recording equipment. But the one with a dark red color scheme is a sick shot! How do those tie in with the story of ‘One That Got Away?’
Those TVs were like my favorite part of the shoot. They were super awesome! I’ve always loved the color red, and I feel like it fits perfectly in the mood of the track, bringing a little darkness and sexiness to life.
We think a couple of people will send the track to someone they hope won’t slip through their fingers. In the essence of playlists, what other songs do you think belong to its emotional realm?
I think a mix of love dance songs and slower ballads would fit perfectly. You kind of have the best of both worlds on this track, so I think it fits extremely well in that world!
You told Digital Journal last year that if you were to have a superpower, it would be to see into the future, which could, in a way, coincide with the lyric, “I’m all for second chances / I hope it’s not too late.” Do you think if you were to have that gift and could see a full relationship scope before it played out in real-time, even if it had messiness, you would still give the relationship a chance? Or are second chances only catered toward you experiencing it without knowing it would fall apart in the end?
I think everything happens for a reason, and I think even if a relationship didn’t pan out the way I wanted it to, I would probably still give it a chance because, at the end of the day, it’s a lot of learning for yourself and who you are. And everyone deserves a second chance. It’s a really important thing in life that mistakes don’t define who you are.
‘Ryder’
Your sister Madison brought you out for her Spinnin Tour in Poland to play guitar during ‘Ryder.’ At this point, we’ve gotten countless recounts of how that song has contributed to your bond from her side, but how did that moment resonate with you?
I love that song so much. It’s one of my favorite songs besides it being about me. It’s such a beautiful record, and to be able to play it on stage in front of so many people was such a special moment for not only me, but for Madison. For us to be on stage and have that moment together is something I’ll never forget.
When you’re on an arena stage of that volume, it must be hard not to conjure up ideas of where you want your career to go eventually. When you last spoke to us, when theorizing your own concert, you wanted the music to tell itself and not rely on the “bells and whistles.” What do you think sets apart a show that you quickly forget about the week after attending, whereas one that stays with you for life?
I think performing is a big key to showing your musical creation and abilities, and I think that a show with a lot of colors in life and interactions with the crowd is always one that will resonate with the audience.
If we looked into Madison’s deep cuts, we would also find the unreleased ‘Impossible,’ which you helped produce! Is cross-working together something you want to carry forward with a possible EP or even your album on the horizon?
I would be honored to have her on an EP or even a track one day. And yes, we have made some music together, and nothing has been released, but hopefully, down the line, we will get that out to the public!
Did you and she have the same music tastes growing up, or did they contrast?
It’s funny to say that because we are always bouncing off songs that we haven’t heard from each other, and we are always adding more songs to our playlist just from us sharing tracks that we’ve never heard.
Pastimes
There’s a video on Instagram of you sampling music back in quarantine. Is there a particular song that you would love to build something off of and make new?
I’m a big Bee Gees fan, so anything from them to remake would be such an honor.
Finally, for the TikTok promotion of ‘Can’t Take It,’ you did before and after photos showing how much time had passed in between. We also know you’re a massive gamer with an image of a controller as your phone case at one point! Is there a particular game that takes you right back to your childhood?
Minecraft is such a classic, and it never dies. It always brings me so much the way to go back to that game. It reminds me so much of my childhood!
We’re throwing a previous question directly back to you! What songs will you include in your miniature playlist? We’re penning ‘One That Got Away’ so that your crush doesn’t do that. Let us know through our social media: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
