Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Josh Ryan: I actually heard about Exposed Vocals through my connections on SoundCloud and was contacted by Exposed Vocals through twitter! Appears to be a great website to find new artists! Excited to join the family!
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Josh Ryan: Growing up for me involved a lot of moving and changing. My younger years were spent in the hood on the eastside of Indianapolis, IN. Around 12 I moved to a middle class neighborhood a little farther north. Grew up in public schools where caucasian was a minority. Middle of my freshman year we moved farther north to a much nicer area. Still living in a section 8 complex but much nicer area. I was raised in a single parent home with my two younger sisters and dealt with domestic violence until about age 10. Moving north changed school districts, and the curriculum was a culture shock. Let to me dropping out and pursuing jobs and music. Started singing in church at age 10. Began teaching myself to play instruments 12 because i had no friends that played anything for me to sing to. I played in a fairly successful hardcore band for 7 years and built a fan base through that. Over the years ive adapted new styles, new passions, and became “Josh Ryan.”
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Josh Ryan: My actual name is Joshua David Cox. My mother is religious and felt that these were great biblical names for me. I had always felt that David wasnt a suitable middle name for me. When I was a teenager I learned that my mom had planned on naming me Joshua Ryan until the day she gave birth to me. That to me felt suitable. Its like its the person I was suppose to be. So I decided to use it as my musical alias.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Josh Ryan: I love the idea! Do I support the idea of never paying musicians for their work and art…. absolutely not. But do I believe that fans deserve free shit for supporting and making musicians dreams a reality…. ABSOLUTELY! My goal currently is to continue making free music for people until I have enough fan support to tour and live my dream! SO please download my music and spread it!
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Josh Ryan: Love what you do…. Do what you love…. Be true to you. In all these things know that it is still a business. Be business minded.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Josh Ryan: Ive always learned from live shows that nothing and no one is flawless. You will have screw ups…. Simply put… Roll with the punches.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Josh Ryan: I havent toured in many years but I have lots of funny stories from the road with my past band…. Honestly lots of dude things. Dick and fart jokes. No showers. Shitting in trash cans. Turning down busted chicks. Awkward conversations…. The works. Best times of my life for sure! Hoping to live my life like that everyday for the rest of my life though!
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Josh Ryan: Most of it comes from life. A lot of songs are embellished as well. Telling a story needs it sometimes. Thats where I stick to the motto of “fake it, til you make it” or the “law of attraction”…. Believe it to be true and it will be true. Writing comes from everywhere!
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Josh Ryan: I have all the outlets you can think of… Instagram, Twitter, SoundCloud, Facebook, Myspace, YouTube… etc. Im everywhere!
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Josh Ryan: I try to not release things Im not personally stoked on. So I am def not embarrassed by anything online! Very hard to embarrass me.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Josh Ryan: Take my crew to Cali and party!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Josh Ryan: From the years Ive played music Ive gained a lot of acquaintances in the engineering side of the music business. Honestly I use the same couple of dudes and they are all fuckin great at what they do!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Josh Ryan: My friends and family and fans have the most impact. Put out awesome music and they will promote. I love them all for that dedication!
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Josh Ryan: I am influenced by soooooooooo many artists that it would be so ridiculously hard to pick just one…. Toughest question on here for sure. If I had to pick from the people I listen to atm… Drake, G Eazy, MGK, or Wiz Khalifa.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Josh Ryan: I plan to continue releasing free music until its big enough to be a job! With everyones help…. Hopefully ill be there soon!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Josh Ryan: I work at Chipotle. I plan to continue using that as my financial backing. Great place. Great people. Def my second choice to music.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Josh Ryan: HAHAHAHA! This is gonna be awesome…. The first CD I ever owned was Britney Spears “… Baby One More Time.” I was obsessed with her as a kid. Got her CD with my first boombox…. CD Player and Tape Deck. Loved it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Josh Ryan: This is still an everyday struggle. A lot of times Ill resort to a few hours of sleep before a work day just because I need to get some songs out and on paper. Those days I pound a monster and push through. Come home have a glass of whiskey, a shower, smoke a joint and go to bed early. Im 26…. that made me sound like a 60 year old man with glaucoma. Ha!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Josh Ryan: Fans can expect me to blow up in 2015! This will be my year.
