Sleeping At Last

Currently working on Atlas:Year Two, Ryan took some time to chat with us about his creative inspirations and life-changing experiences.

SSW: What were you listening to growing up and how did you discover your passion for music? At what age did you write your very first song and what was it about?

Ryan O’Neal: I grew up listening to a lot of Alternative music – Smashing Pumpkins, early Radiohead and others. Then it was Sunny Day Real Estate, Nick Drake, Bjork and others that really resonated with me. Those artists taught me a lot about what it is that I love about music. I’d say I was about 15 years old when music really moved me. The first song I ever wrong was when I was about 13 or 14 years old… I don’t remember much about it other than it wasn’t very good!

In a few words, how would you describe your signature sound? How would you characterize your music for those who have not heard it yet?

I love melody a lot and orchestral instruments and pop song structures and film scores and the intimacy of folk music- so my music lives somewhere in the middle of all of that.

How did your sound and artistic vision changed since you started writing?

It started out a lot louder and leaned more “Rock” than it certainly does now. I’d say the older I get, the more I value lyrics. So that’s had a huge emphasis in the last few years of my writing. I try hard to find a new source of inspiration on each record or project I begin… Whether that’s a specific type of sound or production or an instrument that I’m unfamiliar with. I always want my music to evolve as much as it will.

When you were just starting out, what did you do to get your music out there? Any advice for aspiring songwriters/producers, regarding both the craft and business?

I received a lot of great advising early in my music career – one piece of advice that still stays with me is to make music all the time. Especially early on, write, record, play shows as much as possible. Each song, recording and show will make you better and better. Overcome the fear of failure by leaning into everything you do. You will certainly trip up and make mistakes, but you will simultaneously become braver and better. Another piece of advice that I’ve learned over the years is to be honest. What I mean by that is, write music that is true to you always. Write from an honest place. Tell the truth. I believe that’s so vital to making meaningful art.

We are huge fans of your projects. Great material and such amazing concepts! For Yearbook you documented a year of your life with all the experiences throughout it. Atlas project is a series of EPs based off of various themes; Year One was all about how everything in the world came to be. Now you are on Year Two and it’s focused on the concept of life. Please tell us a little more about it.

Thank you! I’ve always loved “concept albums” so I’ve been having a lot of fun with these long-form projects! Yes, I’m working on Atlas: Year Two, which will be a series of songs all centered around the theme of Life. It’s a HUGE theme, I know… But I’m excited about the upcoming of sequence of songs I’ve put together that will tell the story of how life appeared on earth. I can’t say too much yet, but I’m so excited to explore these themes throughout 2015! Lots of new music coming very soon!

What are sources of inspiration for your songs?

A lot of it comes from my own life and experiences. But I find a lot of inspiration from movies, nature, design and relationships. Recently I’ve been really into telling specific stories in my music. Been fun to try my hand at that, rather than more journal-like songwriting (which I still do and enjoy!).

Lyrically, what’s your favorite song that you’ve ever written? And What’s the story behind it?

That’s a tough one! I’m not sure I can pick. Not because they are all so great, but because they all mean a great deal to me!

The response to your projects has been pretty impressive thus far. What has that feedback been like for you?

It’s been such a gift to write these songs and see people let them into their lives. Means SO much to me! The feedback for the long-form projects like Yearbook and Atlas have been so amazing – far greater than I imagined. I am so thankful that I get to make music for a living- the folks that let my songs in are responsible for that gift. Blows my mind!

Your music is very cinematic. Do you ever get your inspiration from films?

Thank you for saying so! Yes, I adore movies and watch more than I probably should! But yes, I pull a lot of inspiration from that beautiful art form of storytelling! In my opinion, movies are the “best of” of the art forms! It pulls in nearly every art form – storytelling, photography, music, theater, etc. It’s amazing thing when done well.

Sleeping At Last’s material has been featured on numerous TV shows (Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries, Reign, Bones, Believe and many more) throughout your career, as well as film. How did that television soundtrack relationship come about?

When I began Yearbook, the songs somehow found their way into the ears of several music supervisors (the folks who choose music for different tv shows and movies) and slowly but surely, more and more folks let my music into their shows and movies! It’s a huge dream come true, because I love the medium so much – to hear my songs be a part, it’s pretty magical!

You wrote “Turning Page,” for the Twilight saga and the response to it was tremendous. How did your audience change since your songs were featured on Twilight and The Fault in Our Stars trailer?

Both of those opportunities were such a gift! They opened up a lot of doors, and more importantly, they introduced my music to a lot of new people! Especially the Twilight experience was life-changing for me!

What is your writing process like when you compose/write for the film/tv? How is it different from the on your personal projects?

Usually it’s just a matter of playing around with music ideas and finding something that feels like it fits against the story, or images of a show. That makes it sound a little easier than it is, but the feedback of writing music to something visual can be very helpful in finding the right feel… things very quickly work or they don’t. For personal projects, it’s a completely blank canvas which can be so freeing, or so terrifying.

What are you listening to most right now?

Been loving Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” song… That’s been on repeat. My friend, Matt Hales has a new record coming out under his Aqualung name and it’s great! My other friend, Jeremy Larson has a new project called “Violents” and it’s amazing and beautiful and haunting.

Have your recent travels had any effect on you creatively?

Definitely! When you travel, you are exposed to new ways of thinking and living… it has a subtle but meaningful effect on people. My travels have certainly shaped me in a lot of ways, which definitely come through in my songs in various ways. An obvious and probably silly example of this is my time in Hawaii which lead to my love for Ukulele.

You are involved in helping organizations like TWLOHA and Invisible Children. What inspired you to help these specific organizations?

I’ve had the great privilege of knowing the folks behind those organizations and have been able to see first-hand the incredible work they are doing. I consider it a huge honor to get to lend my music to projects that are doing so much good in the world.

What’s on your bucket-list that you’d really like to do?

There are a lot of places I’d like to visit – Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand. And there are random things I’d love to do… Actually if you look at each of the 12 Yearbook album covers, each one is of a natural event that occurs in the world. and each one of those are on my bucket-list! Swimming with a Whale-shark in Australia. Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland.

SSW features inspiring people. Which current peers of your industry inspire you?

I’ve got some very talented friends and though it’s hard not to get jealous of their insane talent, it’s also very helpful in sharpening me and my music. Jeremy Larson is one of the most talented dudes I’ve come across. Jon Foreman’s music is so truthful and beautiful. David Hodges is a master of the craft of songwriting. The list goes on. Always inspired by the gifts of my friends.