Following on from our review of ‘Issues’, we speak with Rylai about his music, his ambitions, and what’s next.

The ‘Issues’ video has you moving through New York in a really isolated way—how did that idea come together?

It started from a brainstorming session with my team; we were really inspired by the visuals from ‘Past Lives’ and felt the tone of that film matched the song perfectly. From there, I came up with the idea of burying my issues and traumas.

We captured some of the loneliest scenes in New York, and the video ends with a graveyard scene where I cry, stroke the gravestone, and walk away as an act of letting go.
I like creating lyrics or scenes that can be interpreted in multiple ways, and that ending scene is really a symbol of releasing the issues and traumas that have been weighing on me.

Michael Morales, our cinematographer, captured everything beautifully.
I hope you enjoy it!
Did filming the video help you process the emotions in the song in a different way?

I think a well-made song should be able to deliver its emotions and sonic beauty to those who can appreciate them. But just as everyone has their own areas of expertise – like how I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the beauty of abstract paintings – many people may not be able to decipher or enjoy a song to its fullest depth.

So,  I think having different visual material helps people process the emotions in the song in different ways. I hope that after people experience my songs and videos, they can find new meanings within them.

Your music blends emotion with a lot of technical detail. How do those two sides come together when you’re creating?

The technical side is really about the quality of the production and how intentionally you incorporate ideas to elevate the musicality of the song.

I believe that in order to complete a good song, you have to start from the original songwriting idea and build a production around it with real intention that fully serves the songwriting’s potential. Otherwise, you’re leaving the success of the song up to chance.

You’ve released a couple of singles now. How are you thinking about what comes next?

Haha, I know exactly what’s coming next!

I’m working on an album, and all the singles I’ve released so far are part of it.

More singles are coming soon and it only gets better from here. Stay tuned.

For people just finding your music, what do you hope stands out first?

First and foremost, I hope the song just gets stuck in their head. But the more they listen, the more I want them to start noticing the layers- the melodies woven into the background vocals, the synths, the guitars. And eventually, I want them to hear how each instrument sounds on its own. A lot of care goes into making every element beautiful in isolation, while still making everything work together as a whole. There’s a lot to discover there.

You move across different genres. Do you see your sound settling into something specific, or always changing?

Eight billion people on Earth, and 80 years of popular music – can you imagine how many different songs have been made in that time?

Even now, I sometimes discover hidden gems from the past for the first time and feel genuinely shocked by how fresh they still sound to me.New sounds are constantly pouring out, and I think if you’re not trying to do something fresh at the forefront of popular music, then you lose the justification for why you should be at the top.

I’ve listened to pop music for a long time, and I think you have to constantly experiment with your sound. It keeps things fun and fresh. 

Looking ahead, what are you most excited to explore next?

The music I have planned for the next ten years already exists in my head. The melodies, the feeling, the direction- I know exactly where this is going. I can’t give too much away because I don’t want to spoil it, but every project from here is a step further into a vision I’ve had for a long time. If what I’m imagining comes together the way I know it can, it’s going to blow your mind. Very exciting!

As more people discover your music, what does that support mean to you, and anything else you’d like to share before we wrap up?

The more people discover my music, the more my existence feels validated. I know that where I come from can sometimes shape how people see me- especially in music. But we’re not living in a perfectly inclusive world, and I don’t fit the mold of who corporations usually want.

Without the support of listeners, I’d just be another person the system passed over, a statistic used to justify the way things are. But every person who connects with my music is proof that my path is a legitimate one. It’s what keeps me going, and for that I am so grateful.

Thank you so much for listening!!

Watch the video for ‘Issues’ below, and find out more about Rylai and his music online on his official website, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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