Ryan Nealon
Los Angeles-based artist Ryan Nealon has just released his new single “Grow Up”. The pop single is about mental health and growing pains. Empowering, uplifting and inspiring, “Grow Up” is an anthem and a smash record. We definitely need more songs like this. Thank you Ryan for releasing this song and thank you for this conversation.
“Grow Up” is now available worldwide :)
Photo credit: Cody Burdette
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hello there! My name is Ryan Nealon and I’m a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles but originally born and raised in San Diego, CA. I started pursuing a career in music when I moved out to LA in 2013 for college (I went to UCLA go Bruins!!), and decided to stay here to pursue an artist/writer path after graduating in 2017. Since graduation, I’ve been working constantly to try and make my dreams a reality.
How would you define Ryan Nealon, the artist?
Ryan Nealon the artist has a Sam Smith Moon and an Adele Rising
”Grow Up" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
"Grow Up" is a coming of age anthem made for anyone who felt forced into a box that they never fit in. When I was younger, I always felt like the adults around me were constantly telling me who I was before I even had the chance to figure it out for myself. "Grow Up" was a song that was actually inspired by a session with my therapist which was all about growing pains, and how I suppressed a lot of my identity in my younger years based on the opinions of others. I was a bubbly queer kid who was being told that his feelings weren't real, and when I was told to grow up instead of being able to properly process my emotions, it hurt me in the long run. As I got older, I realized that the adults in my life were telling me to grow up out of wanting to protect me, but all it did was make me feel more confused and ashamed. When I was younger, I wish I had somebody that told me it was okay to be scared and listened to my worries and consoled me in the way that I truly needed, but in a strange way I'm happy that I didn't have that, because now I can be that person for others. I think the conversation about mental health is very taboo amongst youth, but I think this song is a prime example of prioritizing it. I made this song for the kids, teens, and even adults that feel and felt alone because of growing pains, and I really hope this validates them.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it?
The writing process was honestly pretty hilarious and iconic. My friend Bret Paddock and I can usually knockout a song within 1-2 sessions, but Grow Up was the hardest song I’ve ever had to write and genuinely took us 4 sessions to figure out the exact words we wanted to use. Once we finished it though I could hear the hallelujah chorus in the back of my mind haha. As far the production is concerned, I’ve been lucky and fortunate enough to work with Grammy Award Winning Producer/Engineer Zack Djurich on this song along with many others within my catalog.
What did you feel when writing this song?
I wanted to write a song for the kids who felt like they needed to change themselves in order to be loved and accepted. I wanted to transport myself back to when I had to deal with adults who made me feel that way, and re-living that trauma really helped me write Grow Up.
What do you like the most about this song?
I love a lot about this tune, but I really like how tongue and cheek it is. I wanted to make this one really fun and silly but still pack a bunch with a deep meaning, and I think I did that!
What made you want to release "Grow Up" as a single?
If I’m being honest, it was never going to be released. When I first wrote this one with Bret we both were on the fence with it and didn’t really think much of it, but man I’m happy that I went with my gut on this one. It’s just so different from anything else on the project and I really love it.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I actually spent a very long time picking between artworks for the song. I ended up doing this elaborate photoshoot with my friend Cody and even though the photos were amazing, I wanted to do something a bit more simple so I asked my friend Syd Rein to help me; she’s an incredible art director and designer based in Los Angeles. We ended up shooting a some alphabet blocks that I got off of Amazon in her bathroom and made it all cute in photoshop—sorry if I ruined the magic! Haha.
What do you want people to feel when listening to "Grow Up”?
I really want people to feel a sense of nostalgia and validation when they listen to it. I wrote this for people who grew up in tougher situations and I think this could be really special for those people.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
I personally believe that the hardest part about being an artist is to focus on only yourself and not focus on others. I think the best part is truly DOING it. There’s nothing better than performing and creating your own music.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think we’re all so focused on the idea that we are not successful until we go viral, and to me that’s just toxic. Virality is something that has given tons of new artists over the last few years a platform fairly quickly, but I think people are more focused on doing trends and challenges on TikTok, then they are with actually writing good music. If I could change one thing it would be for people to actually care about good songwriting rather than a viral video.
Why do you make music? What keeps you going?
I make music because it’s my favorite thing to do in the world, and that’s the honest truth. I am so inspired by writing and discovering new music, and it makes me want to continue creating for as long as I can.
What’s the best advice you've ever received?
The best piece of advice that I’ve ever received was to focus on the songs. Nowadays, people are very focused on quantity over quality, and I personally think the opposite.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
There are quite a few that I can list off: When people show you who they really are believe them (aka don’t be friends with people that only want your connections), get your oil changed right when it’s due, and never be afraid to set healthy boundaries to protect your heart.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Free Healthcare. Everywhere. Period.
What message do you want to give to LGBTQ+ artists around the world?
Even if it feels like you are hitting a wall and you’re seeing your queerness as something that’s preventing you from progressing, keep fighting and be persistent. Always be proud of who you are and know that it makes you so special and deserving.
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