From Instagram to the Recording Studio: Get to Know Ryan Millier and His New Single "If They Were Wise"

In case you are not familiar with the name Ryan Millier, you soon will be. The rising Toronto native is a multi-creative force to reckon with. Besides cultivating a respective following on Instagram, he’s also tapping into the field of music. Case in point, he is moving to California this week to pursue his dream of breaking through the industry. His latest single “If They Were Wise” sure will be of a great help for this mission. The song is a clever melange of his diverse musical influences such as classic rock, jazz, and ’90s hip-hop. In order to honor this single, the 21-year-old is also taking over our Instagram space for a HYPETRAK takeover — and while you’re at it, make sure to follow him as well. Listen to “If They Were Wise” below and get to know this talented artist by reading our Q&A with him below.

Introduce yourself.

I’ve been writing and producing music for the better half of my life. My sound has evolved over time and has really matured lately. I grew up on 90’s hip-hop and classic rock, so my style has influences from many parts of the genre-spectrum. I really love jazz and weird ambient music so I think you hear that in my music as well. As for what sound I’m trying to create, I don’t know of a name yet but I’m trying to blend a fusion of trap and r&b with jazz and rock.

Tell us about your single “If They Were Wise.” What does the title refer to and how is the song representative of your music?

To me, there are many meanings. But the one that stands out the most is summarized by the last line in the third verse “you can be as you decide”. People don’t realize the power of their own dreams and imagination and get too scared to try to become what they want and instead go for the route that’s moulded for them. If they were wise, people would understand that they can be whatever they want to be.

You are from Toronto but are currently relocating to LA. Obviously LA’s music scene is stronger but are there any other reasons for your move out West?

(Laughs) Honestly the weather. I’ve lived my whole life here in Toronto and I’m kind of just tired of the cold. It will be nice to wear a t-shirt 365 days a year. The cold makes people less inclined to go out and work or go on adventures, it’s kind of inhibiting and in Toronto the cold makes up for 60 percent of the year. I also believe that a change of environment is crucial for artists to find new inspiration. It’s always been in the back of my mind that I’d one day end up in California, I just never figured it’d be so sudden.

You have a remarkable following on Instagram. How do photography and music align together in 2015?

Photography and music have always gone hand in hand since the dawn of the pop music culture. Although, it’s relevance is stronger now more than ever as more and more independent artists rely on social media as their voice. Visual marketing happens to be the most effective voice and there are a lot of really successful independent artists that have built there careers around this wave of visual marketing.

Who are your Top 5 Instagramers at the moment?

That’s a really tough question. There are so many people out there constantly raising the bar and they seem to keep getting younger too. If I had to pick five right now off the top of my head they’d be:

@meetjulian
@insighting
@takubeats
@nikk_la
@kostennn

Besides music and photography, what other creative talents do you possess?

That’s a good question. Honestly, photography and music is where I dedicate all of my energy to which doesn’t leave much for anything else. Naturally as a songwriter I write a lot of poetry. I used to write a lot more stories and I even wrote a couple screenplays that I never actually finished, perhaps one day I’ll revisit them. I’ve always been intrigued by painting and one day I’m sure I’ll be good at that.

As a recording artist, what qualities are important to have in 2015?

I think going forward, the quality that will stand out the most is uniqueness. There’s a lot of people trying to emulate other artists, to me, they all sound the same. I think the people that will attract attention in the future are going to be different, and won’t necessarily have a sound that people are expecting. People might hate it at first but it’ll grow on them.

Tell us about your upcoming projects.

This year I’m working on a bunch of cool stuff. I’ve never been so excited and so busy at the same time. I’m going to be really focused on my solo project Today’s Solution, Tomorrow’s Crisis and will hopefully release several singles by the summer. I’m hoping to get behind the scenes and produce for some artists and I’m working with my production partner @izzysoundz on that. I’m also going to be really dedicated to photography and I’m working closely with my friend BENJ in LA who’s music career is about to take off. I’ve also got some awesome things cooking with New Balance too.

Why will 2015 be your year?

I think synchronicity is more and more prevalent in my life. After working so long at trying to become what I am today, I seem to only be meeting the right people at the right times to advance even further down this path. All the stars are aligning for me right now and it feels amazing. I think 2015 will be the year that all solidifies and the foundation I’ve been working on becomes complete and I can start building on top of it.