Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Manalili.
Hi Ryan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a songwriter turned singer. My two brothers and I started drawing comic books when we were younger, and I used to always make up storylines for each character. Somehow, this led to me journaling regularly. I was maybe nine when I wrote my first poem.
Which later turned into poems that rhymed, which eventually became songs. I got a guitar a few years later for my birthday, and the rest kind of writes itself. I write a song almost every day. Whether it’s in my head or a voice memo I recorded on my phone. I’ve always found myself writing/singing what’s on my mind.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, but I was trying to be cool because that is not true, haha. It’s been a battle with the inevitable episodes of imposter syndrome.
The frequent comparisons you run through your head. The constant need for immediate validation. More often than not, this is probably the same answer any Artist will give you. We’re our biggest critics.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
These are kind of hard to answer, haha.
Well, I make music that I would want to listen to. I think I’m entering that part of my career where I’m making art for the sole purpose of expression. It’s no longer me trying to “look like an artist” for the camera.
I recently started putting together my second EP, which is set to be released in the early fall of 2024. I put together seven songs I’ve written over the years, a few of which I wrote for other bands but ended up keeping for myself. Sometimes I get too personal. They’re like my babies. I have two new singles out right now, “BITTER” and GOOD GUY,” which are featured on the new EP.
I’ll just say that I’m proud that I’m doing better than I was when I started this record.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I finally understand that music has no rules. Yes, aside from theory, It’s something that has so much freedom and so many other reference points that not everyone is familiar with.
Who’s to say if a song you like is bad or a song you don’t like is good? It’s the same argument with different reference points. Just do what you like and don’t listen to anybody else, cause at the end of the day it’s yours.
Contact Info:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7IlDHgZyqrSxk2qbGMHPYN?si=QdyCfsb8QROYdUapabUgJQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmanalili/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ryanmanalili
Image Credits
Seagge Loy Abella @insageproduction and Justin Catubay @j.cvt
