Toronto musician Rhyan Douglas has mastered the intricate art of marrying music and visuals in his debut EP released on Friday.
The Brampton born and raised singer and songwriter fashions an idiosyncratic sound by fusing the gentle sonics of folk, the rhythmic qualities of soul, and inimitable perspectives of self-taken imagery, in an ongoing quest to carve his own way in the music scene.
A month ahead of his CIRCLES EP release, Douglas arrived at Now Toronto’s studio for an interview, digital camera in hand, the kind from the early 2000s with its grainy qualities emulating a stylish and nostalgic aesthetic that appeals to the young musician. A preference further evidenced in the music video for his song “Young and Reckless,” which depicts Douglas and a group of friends wandering aimlessly, but happily, through the now scarcely visited Woodbine Mall.
The 19-year-old singer recalls attending predominantly white schools growing up, and attributes his affiliation with folk music to this fact. But says he learned to sing in his local church’s choir, where he was often called up for solos.
“Being in the church they knew I had a good voice…[but] I didn’t take in at that young age that’s why they were giving me all those solos… though it definitely laid the foundation to just build confidence,” Douglas said, before explaining that singing in front of people as a young boy helped set him up for bigger moments, to establish a lasting stage presence, and work collaboratively.
“Singing with someone else builds a connection, we read each other’s cues, play off each other’s body language,” Douglas said.
He spent his formative years as a student in multiple bands, including his school’s jazz band, and concert band, in which he played the clarinet. It was here Douglas picked up the basics of musical theory, and learned to read sheet music while he played.
These early experiences laid the foundations for his creative dexterity and striking melodic style which is often influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean, Thundercat, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Daniel Caesar, and Tyler, The Creator.
“I feel like I mimic the same rhythmic ideas as when I used to play clarinet, it also helped with breath control… I realized that during that time, concert band definitely inspired me,” Douglas continued.
His debut EP CIRCLES drops today and was executive produced by fellow Canadians Wondagurl who has worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Drake, Rihanna and Big Sean, and Eli Brown, who produced for Drake, Chris Brown and Young Thug.
Douglas dropped three tracks off the EP prior to its release, including “Last Page,” “Conversations” and “Young & Reckless,” with an additional six songs to complete his first full body of work.
In CIRCLES, Douglas frames the fruitful progressions of youth by capturing its occasionally frivolous but always formative activity with adept lyricism and masterful camera work.
“Expect a whole range of emotion,” Douglas said of his EP. “I want people to live with it and build their own meaning behind it,” he concluded.
CIRCLES is available today, on Apple Music and Spotify.
