Interview With Ryan Nico On His New Album “Urban CowBoy”
1. How does it feel to have your first full-length album out in the world, especially after the release of your EP back in 2023?
1A: It feels great to see the growth between both projects, to see my maturity in my songwriting and my song selection process. It feels like a great accomplishment to release my debut album and for it to be well-received by the public.
2. What is your favorite song on “Urban Cowboy” right now, and why does that one stand out for you?
2A: “Long Road Up Ahead.” I love this song because it details my own personal journey in life and struggles, and that nothing came easy. I have learned to enjoy the journey itself, and I have a lot more work to do. I love this song musically because of all the melodic layers in it, like R&B and Pop fused with a Country foundation.
3. Which track are you most proud of, either creatively or personally?
3A: “Nevada.” Because Las Vegas is my hometown, and to make an iconic song for the state that really does not have one since the Elvis days, makes me proud. Anytime you can bring an entire state behind a movement that is powerful.
4. Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both in general and specifically for this album? Are there particular artists you were channeling while making Urban Cowboy?
4A: My influences for this album are: Nelly ( Country Grammar), Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, Boyz II Men, and the Beatles.
5. The album blends Country, R&B, Pop, and Hip-Hop in a very natural way. What was it like bringing all of those genres together into one cohesive sound?
5A: I do what feels natural to me. It was not intentionally done, but I did what felt natural and good to me, and hopefully, the people will appreciate and support the direction I chose.
6. You’ve said, “The meaning behind Urban Cowboy describes me as an artist and person. I grew up in the city, but I have deep Country roots.” Can you talk more about those roots and how they show up in your music and identity?
6A: My roots come from the south, my grandparents.
6: How does it show up in your music?
6B: It shows up through my vocal cadence, which has a heavy southern influence. Growing up people always said I talk like I’m from the south, even though I was raised in the city.
7. You wrote all of the songs on this project. What does your writing and creative process look like when you’re building a track from scratch? How do you approach the production side versus the lyric and melody side?
7A: Building a song from scratch, I have different ideas in my head of topics first, and then when I know which topic I want to choose, I go through the beat selection process for which beat best fits my topic (sometimes it’s hundreds of beats I go through). Once I select the beat I start the writing process, chorus first , because it explains or summarizes what my verses will be about.
7B. As far as the production side, I already have a good vision of what I want it to sound like in my head. I allow my producer and engineer to start their creative process first on what they envision for the song and then I make changes or alterations after. It’s a good collaboration process.
As far as the lyric and melody side, I always come into the studio prepped and ready to go. I never have to really make changes to my songs in studio because I’ve thoroughly thought it out
beforehand.
Urban Cowboy is currently available for streaming. You can listen to more from Ryan Nico here and see the music video for his single “Nevada” on YouTube.