Weekend Musical Diversion: Ryan Knorr by
360 Degree Self BlogWeekend Musical Diversion: Ryan Knorr
October 31, 2009
Every so often I get lost watching videos on YouTube. Yesterday was no exception…while watching some music videos I stumbled upon a young singer/guitar player who blew me away. He’s got a great voice and an ability to play versions of cover tunes that are better than the originals (see his YouTube page). The bio on his website says he’s 24 years old and this video is one of his original tunes. Honestly, I don’t know what he does for a living, but I hope he’s making music and that we’ll hear more from him soon… Under The Covers with Ryan Knorr by
Beneath The Sheets Music BlogGenre - Acoustic
Hails from- Waukee, Iowa
Under The Covers With Ryan Knorr
What inspired you to start making music? When did you first start performing/writing?)
I started singing in front of people when I was 5 years old at my kindergarten graduation ceremony where I sang "The National Anthem." In about 2nd grade I started piano lessons and continued that until 10th grade and then decided to try out guitar at the end of my junior year of high school. I'm self taught on guitar and have now been playing that instrument for 7 years. I started writing my original music when I was 19 and am now 24 so I have been at that a few years.
How has your music evolved since you first started playing/writing?
As a songwriter I think the more that you write the better things should get. As I look back I think I have progressed the most in my lyrics in finding a way to express feelings without blatantly coming out and saying what you are thinking. It makes songs more interesting and broadens the message so that a song can find many different meanings, depending on who is listening. Also, I used to write specifically about the struggles going on in my own life but I think I have managed to branch out a little bit and look at the things going on it other people's lives and turn those stories into songs.
What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?
The biggest challenge as an artist today is being found or recognized by people. The internet has done so much for independents and at the same time it has done a lot to add more noise to an already busy world. It's hard for people to sift through so many different artists out there and find the good ones that they enjoy, so overall it's a challenge to find your own audience and group of fans.
What are your ultimate goals as an artist? Are you looking to get signed to a major record label?
The ultimate goal with my music has always been that it will be heard and that it will help change someone's life for the better. I focus on a lot of the real things in life that aren't always easy to talk about or aren't the easiest things to deal with. I do that because not only does it help me release some of my inner emotions, but I believe it lets people know that they aren't alone in the world when dealing with some struggles. I believe music can be a healing power and if my music can be that for someone, then I will have done my job.
As far as major labels go I would be open to think about that but I like that right now I can retain rights to my songs and can decide what I do and don't want done with them. My music is very personal to me, so I feel the need to be a little bit cautious with it. Obviously a major label provides you exposure that is almost impossible on your own, but there are other strings attached, so it would come down to weighing the pros and cons.
What do you think of the Beneath the Sheets website?
I am honored to be on the site and I think that as I was talking about earlier, it's so easy for artists to get washed away in the sea of unknowns. It doesn't mean that they don't have just as much talent as a major artist, but finding fans and your niche can be difficult in the internet age. Sites like this help people to find an artist they might have never know otherwise, and that is obviously a great thing for music lovers.
Artist Spotlight - Ryan Knorr by
Stick - T - Notes blogYouTube is one of those things I've found you either learn to love...or learn to hate. It used to be I never could make up my mind about the debate. Sure, there's a lot of slightly...illegal acts going on over there at times, but as my sister often loves to point out, there's also Mitchell Davis. But the other day I found more of a reason to love YouTube.
Ryan Knorr
For those of you unfamiliar with the name, that's okay - because until my sister showed me his rendition of The Fray's Never Say Never via YouTube, I had no clue he was out there either. And this talented singer-songwriter is not only serenading YouTube but Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter as well.
Blending acoustics and vocals into one pleasing harmony, Ryan Knorr is out on a mission to make music about more than just typical lyrics of love - his goal is to create something different, a focus on his own personal struggles, and adding to that special experience shared between the musician and the listener.
I couldn't agree more with this outlook, and not just because I'm looking for something to listen to that speaks about more than just the cliché heartbreak. Because music, like any other art form, starts with the self.
Visit Ryan Knorr at his official site to learn more about his music and the musician himself. Alum Reveries About New Album by Buena Vista University Undercurrent
Alum Reveries About His New Album
Buena Vista University - The Undercurrent
Dark lyrics paired with soft acoustic sound melded...
Dark lyrics paired with soft acoustic sound melded together to form a mellow and entertaining show Tuesday night when Ryan Knorr, a 2007 graduate of Buena Vista University (BVU), returned to the Centennial Room for a party celebrating the release of his new CD, Reverie.
The SAB-sponsored event brought in an intimate crowd, but Knorr delivered an impressive show. He functioned like a real-life one-man band as he flawlessly switched between guitar and piano while matching it with his stunning vocal talents.
I have heard Ryan play many times before," senior Colleen Gerow said. "At the SAB event, it was great to see his family and friends come to support him. Plus seeing first-time Knorr listeners enjoying his vocal, guitar and keyboard styling was great.
He performed several original songs from his two CDs and some songs which have yet to be recorded.
His original music was paired with famous covers such as the Goo Goo Dolls' "Slide," Vertical Horizon's "Best I Ever Had" and a unique piano rendition of MatchBox 20's "3 a.m.
I'm not a Top-40 type person, but wanted music people our age would know and recognize," Knorr said.
Knorr also debuted two new songs titled "What About Me" and "Glass Half Full" which he has recently finished in addition to the tracks on his CD. "Glass Half Full" is based on experiences of living with his suitemates in McCorkle six the previous two years. Knorr also presented a song titled "Completely Incomplete" which he wrote during his songwriting class that was offered during J-term.
Reverie contains seven original tracks all written, composed, performed and recorded by Knorr himself.
Although most of the songs are "not happy" as Knorr says, they share messages and tones that a wide audience can relate too.
When writing, I am driven by my inner thoughts about life and getting somewhere," Knorr said.
From the beginning of the recording process it took Knorr six months to complete the CD.
Most of the recording was done in Edson Hall and in the Dr. David Klee Studio," Knorr said.
If students missed the concert but are interested in purchasing Knorr's new CD it is available on his MySpace page at Myspace.com/ryanknorr. It is an affordable $5, and the web site accepts credit cards or Paypal accounts and your CD will then be shipped.
I highly encourage anyone who likes soft rock to buy his CD," Gerow said.
What I'm Into : Ryan Knorr by
Des Moines Juice Magazine dmjuice.com
February 16, 2010
What I'm Into: Ryan Knorr, 24
Jessica Knight
jessica@dmJuice.com
Why you should know him: He's a local singer-songwriter with a YouTube channel that has more than 1 million page views. He plays guitar and piano.
My YouTube success makes me feel: Thankful that people are enjoying my music and my videos. Without the exposure on that site I wouldn't be making near the progress I am in gaining fans.
I started singing: When I was 5 years old. My first public performance was singing "The National Anthem" for my kindergarten graduation ceremony.
When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be: A meteorologist. I've always been fascinated by weather and science, but having to go through Calculus 4 in college made it sound a lot less fun.
The artist I most want to work with is: Shaun Morgan from Seether.
Right now, I'm listening to: David Gray's new album, "Draw the Line.
The best show I've ever attended was: Seether at Val Air Ballroom.
The best show I've ever played was: An outdoor music festival called Edgefest in Storm Lake, Ia. When I was in college I was in a rock band with some close friends. The experience of hearing your voice and blaring guitars over a large PA system is like no other.
One song I'll probably never get tired of hearing is: "Murder in the City" by the Avett Brothers.
One song I'd love to never hear again is: "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.
