Photo Credit: Ryley Smns
People can do anything they set their minds to, no matter what odds are stacked against them.
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However, even the most positive person sometimes needs help. When the odds seem insurmountable, you want someone who has gone ahead of you and been successful. If they can hold your hand through the journey, that would be even better. That’s what Ryley Smns, LA-based musician, hopes to spend the rest of her life doing.
A few years ago, making music was just a dream for Ryley. Growing up in a small town in Nebraska, there weren’t many chances for her to actualize her dream. In any case, her hometown’s population of 1,500 was not her ideal audience. She wanted to sing for the world, and that meant moving. When the opportunity presented itself, she moved to California and began her journey in earnest.
As an unknown in the industry, recognition didn’t happen overnight. Although Ryley had talent, she had to study the industry first and develop her brand. Additionally, she had to develop her own sound and style if she wanted to be unique. For Ryley, who drew inspiration from many musical influences, that was a tough call. Instead of trying to fit in, however, she chose to shine in her own way.
Ryley decided to combine styles from her musical influences. As she slowly honed her skills, she developed a unique technique. Besides helping her become a better musician, it also boosted her self-confidence. Ryley started using her music to express her dreams and desires and that resonated with many people. Soon, she had a loyal following on different social platforms. At the moment, her fandom has close to 200k followers on different platforms.
At the beginning of 2022, Ryley released her self-produced EP, “YesNoMaybe.” This emotive 6-track production explores different themes about life, in different styles. You can hear pop, folk, and rock influences in the album. That is not surprising because, according to Ryley, some of her biggest role models include Felly, RUSS, Rexx Life Raj, and SZA, among others. This long-awaited EP seems to be everything fans wanted, as the number of fans show. Within a month, the album attracted thousands of monthly listeners on streaming platforms.
When Ryley is not creating music, her favorite activity is helping others in the industry. Although she is still on her way towards lasting success and happiness as an artist, she has already overcome many obstacles. Ryley is the co-founder of SMNS ENT, an Orange County-based record label that helps up-and-coming artists.
Ryley and her business partner’s goal is to change the industry and make it hospitable for new artists. To that end, they plan to build a fully integrated record label. They have already started acquiring more artists, producers, songwriters, and other talent. Together, the team hopes to create lasting change in the music industry that will make work easier for future generations.
Until then, Ryley plans to continue making more music and entertaining her fans. Her music is available on major music streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Fans can also connect with Ryley on Instagram and other social platforms to know about release dates.