Soaring in from Nashville, Tennessee, the alternative-pop/rock artist and singer-songwriter Nick Ryan releases an incredibly meaningful and motivational single entitled "Don't Hold Your Breath."
Graduating from Full Sail University with degrees in Recording Arts and Entertainment Business has led Nick Ryan into various industry ventures. After his debut album, 'Lone Wolf,' Nick Ryan found himself collaborating with Grammy Award winners, former label band members, music publishers, and songwriters across North America and Europe.
Gearing up to release his forthcoming album, 'Nemesis,' Nick Ryan begins that venture with the project's lead single, "Don't Hold Your Breath." When elaborating on the single, Nick Ryan mentions, "It's a response to people that don't hold you in high regard. You're giving, and they are only taking. They emotionally drain you, so if they try to crawl their way back into your life, tell them don't hold your breath."
Co-written with Sarah McSweeney, "Don't Hold Your Breath" opens with the brightest of instrumentation through a beaming acoustic guitar and punchy drum breaks. Once fluid and lush lead guitar make its way in, Nick Ryan begins to elaborate on the song's theme through lyrics that touch on selfish people who choke on their pride and come up for air after reflecting on their wrongdoings.
As we reach the hook, Nick Ryan reminds them not to hold their breath, as he's moving on for the better. We can feel a sense of betrayal through Nick Ryan's descriptive lyricism, which encourages listeners to look before they fall in love or into a friendship that doesn't seem entirely authentic.
Thank you for releasing such a relatable and necessary single like "Don't Hold Your Breath," welcome to BuzzMusic Nicky Ryan. Could you describe the moment you felt compelled to create this powerful and spiteful tune?
Thank you! This idea was inspired by the catchphrase “Don’t Hold Your Breath” and I wanted to write a kiss-off song. We all have people in our lives that we value more than they value us. When you realize you are giving more than you are receiving from any type of relationship, this is that song.
What was your songwriting process like collaborating with Sarah McSweeney for "Don't Hold Your Breath?" Is this your first time working together?
We wrote this in early 2018 and it was our first time working together. I had a bunch of ideas for songs and had just come home from Nashville and I felt inspired to reach out to my various songwriter communities. Most of the “Nemesis” album was written around that time. It took us to sessions over Skype, but we got it done! Now it’s out for the universe to hear!
What sort of instrumental feeling and vibe did you want to create for "Don't Hold Your Breath"? How did you want your audience to feel and react to the song's instrumentation?
I was originally planning the song to be a bit sassier, but I have many of those already. We went into a Paula Cole/Sarah McLachlan direction, both of whom I admire. This is one of the slower songs on the album to give the listener a break between the up-tempo tracks. You can hear the inspiration in the backing vocals.
Could you drop any hints regarding your forthcoming album, 'Nemesis?' Does "Don't Hold Your Breath" encapsulate any significant themes or concepts within the project?
It’s a concept album so each song is like a chapter in a book. Each song tells a different perspective of what I was going through at the time. The prism of my own experience. It’s a dark album, but there is some humor in it, and it does have a happy ending, but the attitude is still there. I can’t wait to share this record in the fall.
What's next for you?
Right now I’m releasing a single per month from the album, but as a fun bonus, since I don’t really write happy songs, I’m doing a covers EP of four songs I love from 1991. That year was the first I remember listening to pop music. Some are songs I grew up listening to and some I discovered later in life. The first song I’m releasing is Seal’s “Crazy” and it drops July 2!