Bassist and Musical Director for Hozier. My playing has featured across Hozier's eponymous debut album, as well as his Billboard-topping sophomore release, Wasteland, Baby!
Andrew (Hozier) and I met in Trinity College Dublin, where we both were studying music. I learned much from my time there, and have a solid grounding in theory as a result. Combined with my experience as both a studio musician and stage performer, I can either approach the work from a more analytical perspective, or simply sit back and deliver a great feel.
Aside from Hozier (for whom I have also written several string arrangements), I've done production work for Irish duo Saint Sister and for Nashville band Wildeyes. In addition, I create my own music under the name Ring Saigo, and I am one half of the band Black Fox Leash.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
Discogs verified credits for Alex Ryan (2)4 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse Alex Ryan
check_circleVerifiedA wonderful musician and producer!
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Honored to work with the man the myth the legend yet again
check_circleVerifiedFantastic production yet again! A pleasure to work with!
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Alex’s production is incredible. One thing I really enjoyed about working together was that he asked the important questions that an artist would value. It wasn’t just about making a song but creating a vision.
Interview with Alex Ryan
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The latest record from Wildeyes, Shut Up and Dance, which I co-produced and played on. Listen to it all the way through, top to bottom. It has a wonderful arc to it!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I've been doing some recording for the new Hozier record, as well as doing some pre-production/writing with Wildeyes.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Kristen Rogers! Best background vocalist you will find, hands down.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Only the result is relevant.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To give the job my absolute all, whether the outcome is accepted or not.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: That it ultimately comes down to interacting and connecting with people.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Q: 'What do you think about doing something weird or interesting here?' A: 'Hell yeah, let's GO!'
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Perhaps it's the notion that a lot of us are always 'super busy' with other gigs or jobs, such that we don't have time for smaller affairs. This may be the case occasionally, but there are no guarantees in this industry. Gotta take everything you can get!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: It's vital to understand the client's vision for the work, as much as possible. References of other music are often a handy way to get everyone on the same page.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Hire me; I'll get it done faster and better!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My newest custom bass from Skjold Design Guitars, a Gallien-Krueger Plex preamp, a Darkglass Element cabinet simulator, a laptop and an interface. All I need to get a killer bass sound anywhere in the world.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing with Hozier while I was still in college, and things just took off very rapidly from there. I've been playing bass for about twenty years at this stage.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Certainly versatile, but if left to my own devices, I would say that I have a highly rhythmic and feel-based style of playing, with a smooth execution overall.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: As a bass player, D'Angelo. There's simply no finer feel to be had.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Do not wander aimlessly into the night. Ask yourself, based on the information you have right now, whether it's only a verse, a chorus or even just a lyric and a melody, 'where can this go? What kind of a journey is the piece going to be?' Listen, think, render.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Aside from Hozier or my own work as Ring Saigo, I like to work with people who aren't afraid to be as musically-adventurous as possible, regardless of 'genre' or style.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Swiftness of musical deduction and identification.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: For production, I feel I have a keen sense of pacing; knowing when something needs to change and to what degree. I try to apply a 'big picture' approach to creating a piece, so that the trajectory of the work is always in mind. For bass, I bring whatever is asked of me!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen, think, render.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I do a lot of my work digitally, so I have a pretty simple laptop setup with some nice plugins, an extensive sample library and a few tools to help me get a great bass sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: For production, Justin Vernon is the GOAT as far as I'm concerned. For bass, I love the discipline and feel of Lee Sklar, among many others.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Bass playing and production!
I was the bassist/pianist/producer in this production
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