Today, we have the privilege of delving into the behind-the-scenes world of sc0ttryan's creative process. From unexpected moments of inspiration to the raw emotions woven into every lyric and melody, sc0ttryan shares intimate insights that offer a deeper understanding of the album's profound impact.
INTERVIEW
Your album "Betting with Blood" feels like a journey. Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment or story from its creation that's stayed with you? Anything unexpected or memorable?
Betting with Blood definitely was a journey.
This is a great question because there was absolutely one specific moment that kind of encapsulated the making of the project for me. I remember a few days before I was supposed to have the album in, I was hanging out with Lily {my girlfriend, I’ll probably end up talking about her more later} going through my FL projects. I stumbled across this unnamed FLP and figured I’d open it, and I found the entireeee last section of “closure inches closer” that I had completely forgotten I had made.
I was so fucking excited when I remembered that transition section. I hopped in the booth so fast to finish that song up it was insane. I was actually debating scrapping the whole thing that night and that moment pretty much stopped me from doing that, and is the reason that project is out.
"hlthy" carries a lot of raw emotion. What sparked the inspiration for this track, and how do you pour your feelings into both your vocals and production?
Ahhh. Thanks. Yeah. I don’t really know where to start on this one. I was absolutely in a horrific spot at the time it was made, and it’s kind of just a reflection on my habits and being so aware that what I’m doing is killing me, but being complacent and pissy about it because I’m neurotypical and tend to want things handed out to me. When it comes to translating my feelings into my music, my biggest thing lowkey is to not write ANYTHING.
This leaves everything to a massive gamble which I feel like I’m always taking, because depending on my emotional state, it’s either a hit, or it’s a MISS. I feel like I kinda just hit on that song, I didn’t have a conscious thought during that entire process, I just went full flow state and made that shit from scratch in one day. The bass patch def started it all though.
I remember pulling that serum bank up and just being like “this bass was made for my voice”. Think I was right on that one.
In a crowded music scene, your blend of production and heartfelt vocals stands out. What aspects of your music do you feel reflect the unique essence of who you are as an artist?
Thank you first of all, like genuinely. I have noticed that most of my charm musically stands in my ability to kind of just paint a picture of exactly what it is that I’m feeling at whatever given moment, and to do that shit with absolutely no confines.
My music is all over the place stylistically, sonically, it’s almost impossible to market or find a target audience for, yet I feel like I can make every song still sound like sc0ttryan, so I would say that. However, I really want to emphasize- especially with my 2024 phase you will all be hearing in the near future.
I refuse to fizzle out, and I absolutely refuse to not stand the test of time. I play the long game with this shit, and so best believe that the answer to this question is going to be completely different at this time next year.
Creating a cohesive narrative in an album is no small feat. Can you share the themes you wanted to convey with "Betting with Blood" and how you approached crafting that sonic journey?
I can’t stress this one enough . I have been waiting for someone to ask me this question so I can clarify exactly what’s going on with this album.
Betting with Blood is a musical representation of my grief, hopelessness, emptiness, and illness. It is not supposed to be high energy, it’s not supposed to be as catchy or as insane as my other shit. I made every single one of those songs from such a dark and disgusting place. I made that album as a farewell.
I did feel like I needed to share exactly what the things I was going through SOUNDED like. Words only do so much, and I felt like I could do a better job with just expressing the despair through that project. Each of those four songs has a very specific tie to four areas of my brain. It started with “heaven” though. I made the draft of that song not too long after my friend passed away.
I sat on that song for a YEAR. As did I with the closing track on the album which is about the ups and downs of gender identity, and debating whether or not being comfortable in my own skin- the ability to see myself as human when i look in my own mirror!!! Is something that I’d allow myself to do.
And it is- I am absolutely not a man, and I know that, and that song is kind of just about the pain of realizing that I have never in my life felt like a man.
Wearing multiple hats in the creative process, from production to vocals, how do you find a balance between these roles, and do you have a favorite or more challenging aspect?
Bro, you are asking the wrong person. Do y’all prefer my self prod shit more? I love producing. I love it, but I have always struggled with confidence in that area.
I just be making whatever feels right at the time. I know that answer may be significantly common and very underwhelming, but honestly, I’m an insecure kid who makes music in their bedroom. I’m working on the balance part. Also, can someone reading this PLEASE tell me why the fuck I can never get my 808s to sound right?
There’s a reason that in all of my self produced songs, there’s no 808s. I hope to bring up this interview one day after I make a hit or something and it has hella 808s, that’s gonna be full circle as hell.
Are there specific artists, genres, or life experiences that have left a lasting mark on your musical style and approach?
Bullet list of all my inspiration incoming!
TRAUMA
TRAUMA x2
Video games (crosshair symbolism aint exist without CSGO)
That awkward ass 2 year long emo phase I had when I was 12
Generational resentment
The urge to prove to people that I have that Shit in me
Onto people-
LILY ! (@lilydamirgian)
Quinn (@iminthecut)
Reef (@xxreefuh / @biphate )
Niz (@niztopia)
Noah (@backlightnoah)
Zeke (@teenwrist)
Kuru (@kuru8k / @kuru )
Ian ( @zerointhebank )
Wubz ( @0wubz )
Cyber ( @cybertrash )
Vaeo ( @pastaroach )
4cf (@4cfear )
Angelus ( @7ngelus)
Carpetgarden (@carpetgarden)
LJ ( @1ljab)
Kaixan (@kaixan2k)
Joeyboey (@rouri404)
Eric (@ ericDOA )
EVERY SINGLE PRODUCER IVE EVER WORKED WITH ALSO HAS A SPOT
I am forgetting so many names that I probably will feel so terrible for forgetting later, but y’all absolutely know who you are. These people have been there for me without fail, though, and deadass I would not be here in the slightest if not for them, and many more. I love y’all and I just wanna say these people inspire me way too fucking much.
Storytelling seems integral to your music. How do you make sure your narratives connect with listeners on a personal level, and what role does storytelling play in your creative process?
This kinda comes down to the art of “ I just be making shit up sometimes”. I just like to take it to extremes.
If something I wanna talk about is a little too personal or a little too raw to the touch to record about, I’ll write a story. I fuck with throwing little bits of lore and biblical references into my lyrics as well. I work really hard on trying to establish a “Surface level” meaning to what I say, while offering a gigantic rabbit hole for my fans to go down if they care enough about whatever it is I’m talking about.
Lemme just say, “eve” and “prince” are fucking PACKED with those too. Storytelling is just a part of my music. What am I doing if I’m not creating an entire fucking universe around the music?
Looking ahead, any artistic goals or projects you're excited about, and how do you envision your sound evolving in the coming years?
Oh yeah. I’m cooking. Any music that comes out post- this interview is gonna be my best, exponentially, I guarantee it. I leveled up this year, and I really can’t wait to show it off. Duffel is gonna be crazy, the song after that is gonna be crazy, everything I’m making has been so dope that I kinda just wanna see how far I can push myself to really secure my spot as someone who knows how to make a damn good song. Idk.
My sound is constantly evolving, but all I can say in that regard is that I’m always gonna sound like me.
Every artist has their rituals. What's something you do consistently during your creative process that helps get you in the right mindset for writing, recording, or producing?
I don’t condone drug use or any kind of substances, but a 20mg Adderall XR and a hit of the pen be doing me pretty nice when it comes to locking in. My writing process also gets a buff whenever I’m hysterically upset about something for whatever reason. As long as I keep getting unnecessarily upset, y’all will keep hearing unnecessarily fire music.
As your audience grows, what do you hope people feel or take away from your music? Is there a specific emotion or message you want to communicate through your creative work?
I just want to connect with people who ache to be heard. I want to resonate with the people who know they have the world in their hands, but just can’t get to where they need to be. I want to build a home for my listeners, I want to build a universe where my fans can get lost in and listen to my shit after a hard day and just feel better.
The crosshair at the end of the day always is a symbol of unity, it’s about being a target, but not alone. My music is a cry for help, always, but in an empowering way. I don’t wanna say too much though, because it’s important to me that people tapping in can attach their own meanings to my music. Just know that I’m never gonna stop.
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