Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Lawless
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 Austin, but moved at the age of 5 to the outskirts of Houston where I was raised. My family had an audio video store there and I spent most of my youth exploring, learning and working on all types of audio and video equipment. I started taking guitar lessons at the age of 12 and had a primary interest in rock n’ roll.
After graduating high school, I moved back to Austin. I realized pretty quick that I had a deep interest in songwriting, music theory, jazz and classical music. So I began taking classes at ACC Northridge in preparation to transfer to Texas State and become a music major. I played in bands all through my college years while finishing my degree and working at restaurants downtown.
My interest in song writing was heightened by my grandmother who was an English teacher at McCallum High School, she would share books, poems and personal writings with me while I was living on my grandparents farm in Manor. My favorite quote from her being “All trees with no leaves, will soon bloom.”
After college, I moved to Houston and LA, teaching and playing music for a living. After a few years, I realized my heart was in Austin and I decided to move back and continue to work on my music and teaching career here.
I have been back in Austin for two years and have created a small music school for private guitar and piano lessons as well as releasing my new album called “New Gold” which highlights some of Austin’s top musical artists.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, there have been numerous struggles along the way.
The ongoing struggle is learning and maintaining your art form. Luckily there are many online resources these days that help with learning, however I feel like finding a great teacher/mentor can be priceless. Maintaining your art form never goes away, one of the best skills I have learned from music was time management.
I think marketing can be a big struggle for any musician or artist as well. You fall in love with an art form, spend years becoming proficient in it, but marketing can feel unnatural, especially compared to creating it.
Making art and music can be very isolating. You deal with a lot of rejection from venues, bookers, audiences and maybe even loved ones along the way. You have to be determined that this is your path or else those speed bumps turn into barricades.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer, songwriter, guitarist and music educator who performs and teaches for a living. I just put out my debut solo album “New Gold.”
I am very proud of the music that I continue to create and perform alongside a team of great musicians.
I also take great pride and responsibility in teaching many students in the central Texas area, they are set to be the future of music in our community, and I think that’s really cool.
I try and blend my infinite music interests into my recordings and performances. Our music is blend of r&b, blues, soul, rock n’ roll and even classic country. It has become what has been called a “soulful roux” of all these influences.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
That’s a tough one but my favorite childhood memories were usually related to being on the water. From kayaking in Lady Bird Lake, to swimming in Lake Somerville, or fishing in Galveston Bay, so many great memories of road tripping with the friends and family to one of Texas’ watering holes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lawlesssound.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.lawless.music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanlawlessband
- Twitter: https://x.com/RyanLawlessBand
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4PB0vT69o3_jttCOleQCQ
Image Credits
Images by:
Joel Calvin (Koto Creative)
Laura Hajar
Album Artwork by:
Nicola Gell
