Los Angeles, United States based artist, Ryan Venezia is the producer, singer and songwriter behind the indie-pop/electro-pop musical project, The NGHBRS and he joins us to talk all about his single release, ‘Better Off’.
Influenced by artists such as Jeremy Zucker, Gracie Abrams and The Lumineers, Ryan began ‘The NGHBRS’ as a fresh start when he took the leap of moving from New York to his current home of Los Angeles.
Written, recorded and produced completely in his home bedroom studio, The NGHBRS latest single, ‘Better Off’ is a melancholic story about the realisation that the person you are seeing may be better off as a friend.
“I was seeing someone for a bit then we went our separate ways and after a week went by I sat down to write a song and this is was the best way to describe how I was feeling.” Ryan
The track is the second single release from his upcoming five track EP, set to be released early 2022.
Featuring the raw and emotional vocals of Ryan and stunningly simple guitar lines, ‘Better Off’ is an extremely vulnerable track, with sentiments that many of us can relate to.
As the track builds, you will be introduced to more of an electro-pop atmosphere and a beat that begins to bring a feeling of positivity, leaving you feeling refreshed and uplifted by the end of the song.
You can listen to ‘Better Off’ below:
Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself?
My name is Ryan Venezia aka The NGHBRS.
I am singer, songwriter, and producer. Originally from Staten Island, New York but usually based in LA with a few exceptions of other places like Nashville and Miami.
I have been all over the place honestly.
What was it that first inspired you to begin a career in music?
I started DJ-ing on a CD mixer when I was 12 then started doing private events around the age of 13.
Then the moment I realized I wanted to make a career out of music is when I saw a DJ Trio Swedish House Mafia when I was 16 and remember that being the best night of my life.
That’s when I realized how music can really connect with people.
How would you describe the feel of your music?
Something you can relate to.
A safe place.
A friend who’s always here for you.
A shoulder to lean on.
Somebody who understands.
You have recently released your single, ‘Better Off’.. what was the inspiration behind the creation of this single?
This song was about a girl I was exclusively involved with and when it came to a end I realized that maybe we were better off as friends.
What does ‘Better Off’ mean to you?
It means a good deal to me. All my songs do. It was something I experienced in my life and was liberating to get a song I really liked out of it.
Also always feels good just get all the emotions out based around a specific event in a song.
What did the creative process look like for ‘Better off’?
I came up with the guitar riff and everything else kind of flowed from there.
A lot of my songs start on an instrument then I go in and produce around that.
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
Life. Experiences. Memories. Pain.
How has Covid-19 impacted your release?
It’s tough.
The world has been going through the ringer with this virus the past years.
I just hope we can get back to fully normal and experience live music like we used to.
What would you like to see happen for you in your music from here?
I would like it to keep connecting with more and more people.
Impacting the world in a positive way, that was always the plan.
Music is the only universal language.
What is one message you would like to share with your fans?
Don’t be strangers or afraid to reach out!
I love meeting people who like my music and hearing how they connected with my music or a song they really like etc.
Where can people find your music?
Anywhere, every platform just search “The NGHBRS”.
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.