Hi Pal,
Welcome to 7 Answers From. This is a newsletter where I have conversations with artists, composers, producers and other creatives in and around the Christian alternative indie scene by asking them 7 questions.
You have the option of either listening to or reading the answers to the questions I ask.
Introduction
The brainchild of singer-songwriter and producer Ryan Lane, Civilized Creature hails from and well represents the Pacific Northwest, with its peculiar combination of indie pop, underground rap, and psychedelic turntablism. His tunes are an eclectic mish-mash of electronic and funk sounds, frequently paired with a head-bob-worthy beat while exploring the ups and downs of truth, following Christ, and the human experience.
I started listening to Ryan Lane’s music last year — 2021 — when he dropped his Requited album. Since that time, I have fallen in love with his body of work and even wrote a short guide to his discography which you can check out here.
In this newsletter, he answers questions about his life, his relationship with Christ, his approach to music — particularly his recent album Pression — and much more.
The Conversation
Q: Tell me a bit about your Christian walk so far and the experiences you’ve had over the years.
I grew up in a home that read the Bible and talked about Jesus. I made a profession of faith at a pretty young age but I would say it was in my early ‘20s that I came to an active relationship with a living God and started to understand what grace was and why it’s so amazing. I think prior to that, it was more of a religious idea and boxes to check off and not something that was true, connected to real life and actively impacted who I was or how I lived.
Q: It’s clear to anyone who has listened to your music that you are quite eclectic in your creative and production choices. Can you tell me any artists or styles that have inspired you so far?
As far as personal inspiration for my music goes, I’ve listened to so many different genres of music in my life. Growing up, what I was exposed to was pretty limited, although my parents let me listen to The Beatles for some reason — a lot of ‘70s rock and classic rock. I remember I would also scan the radio — I had a little tape recorder — and I would record things that I thought sounded interesting or grabbed my attention.
In my early years of hip-hop, I remember hearing Slick Rick on the radio, the song ‘Children’s Story’, and just thought it was a fascinating sound. I hadn’t really heard anything like that before and it really captivated and intrigued me. Certainly, hip-hop music and jazz play a big foundation in the sounds I’m making now. I really like music that makes you feel like you want to move and you can’t help but nod your head a little bit or even dance.
Q: Your latest album Pression – released March 4th – is one of the most unique listening experiences of my year so far. Can you tell me what the inspiration and creative process were like and how they differ from previous albums?
Pression didn’t start with an overall objective or theme. Sometimes I go into an album with a concept in mind, but in this case, I was just working on a number of songs that kind of organically came together.
Unintentionally, there was a theme of reflection on where my life story has taken me. For me personally, that was a lot of brokenness and wounds from other people and wading through that as I continue to become an older adult. Sometimes in hindsight, you see things a bit differently and you process them differently as well.
A lot of these songs were doing that and asking questions about my faith in the midst of this and my place relationally with other people. Also, speaking to those who are walking through a similar path in their lives, a few of these songs were meant to be an encouragement.
I think something that I have tended to do — and I think it’s important — is not just to make positive songs but songs that wade into heavy territory sometimes, asking questions or writing poetry that highlights some of the lows of the human experience. It is a part of the experience of life. There’s something to be said about the ‘half glass full’ perspective but there is also the importance of acknowledging and addressing where our heart is at and not just stuffing everything — which is something I had the tendency to do when I was younger.
Q: For the release of Pression, you released the songs as singles in five major parts between January 28th and February 25th, before releasing the complete compilation on March 4th. Was there a particular reason for this?
For the release method, there are a number of artists I’ve interacted with online who suggested that it’s kind of a cool method to spread releases over a period of time, but also to take advantage of some of the algorithms that Spotify and other streaming platforms use to get new music in front of new listeners and I thought it was worth a try just to see how it went and it was fun. It won’t be the last time I apply that method.
Q: In your opinion, what place does Christian alternative/indie music have in the lives of young Christians today, particularly in their experience of music and worship?
Music is such a powerful medium. All the arts are reflective of the fact that we are all made in the image of God, the creator God from whom all matter has come forth. I think they have an important place in helping us appreciate what is (in a deeper sense) and also comforting us and reminding us of the truth of what is.
I know for me sometimes there is a bit of a separation between the intellectual and feeling — my head and my heart — and a lot of times music will bridge that gap. Where we can have deep truths in lyrics and then the music connects them in an emotional way and amplifies the truth of what those things are. Conversely, the enemy uses arts in a similar way so it’s vital to have encouraging music for people to listen to that brings them up, honours God and encourages growth and sanctification.
Q: When you’re not making music, where can you be found?
When I’m not doing music, I’m a Dad that spends a lot of time being a parent. But I’m also a professional photographer and that’s how I pay the bills. It’s a huge gift to be able to do something creative that I enjoy as work.
Q: “I can’t get enough of (insert song or artist here)”. What Christian indie/alternative artists or song(s) is currently having this effect on your playlist?
Murphy, D.X. has not put out a lot of new music but I really love the stuff they’ve done. Allie Paige has a new EP that I’m really enjoying. MUCH MORE has some cool and unique indie Christian vibes and anything that Jonny Henninger is putting out is awesome.
Ryan Lane lives in Gig Harbor, Washington. Feel free to follow him and his music using the links below:
Streaming Platforms
Instagram
Twitter
Thanks to Ryan for taking the time to speak to me. I had a great time and I hope you enjoyed reading/listening as well.
That’s it, everyone.
See you soon!
Feel free to tell me your thoughts.
As a creative, I'm always intrigued by how they see the faith. I feel they express it in a vivid way that I don't always see anywhere else. I'm glad Ryan is in a good place and is releasing solid music. I really should give his recommendations a try.
Great post as always, please keep it up
Listened to the music from Civilized Creature for the first time today and wow! Had to drop off whatever it was I was doing then because what goodness!
I shared Pression and Requited with a good friend of mine as soon as I listened to them as I thought “this is something you share with anyone you love lol”. I’m on “The Way Back Home” and I’m pretty sure I’d have shared everything by the end of it.
So appreciative of the fact that this is coming from a heart that seeks to honor God and speak the truth in love. Plus it’s inspired me too as a creative. God bless you Ryan.
Thank you Billy.