Since the age of 16, singer-songwriter Ryan Traster has written songs and performed live. He has played in 'buzzy' bands in front of thousands of people as well as empty dive bars with a bored sound guy. “I’ve recorded in rad studios with incredible producers and I’ve recorded in a shitty apartment on a 4-track. For me, it’s always been about saying yes to music and having too much respect for the craft to think of it as a hobby. I approach every project with equal passion and drive, and I think this has allowed me to grow in a forward direction and take a lot out of all the disparate experiences I’ve had in the industry.”

Low Mirada was released on September 30th of this year on Los Angeles-based Blackbird Record Label. It was recorded by Kris Johnson at Flowers Studio in Minneapolis, MN, mostly with a live band, which gives this effort a more urgent velocity than previous records. It also features keyboards and mixing by Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, Pinegrove).

What inspired the title?

It’s a play on words of the street name I live on, “La Mirada”. It seemed appropriate given the amount of time I was “laying low” out here in the desert both before and during the pandemic. Just wandering around and tinkering away at these songs.

Where did you record this album?

The album was tracked live at Flowers Studio in Minneapolis with my band and Kris Johnson and then completed remotely with Chris Walla who is currently living in Norway.

What is your favorite track? Why?

I think the closing track “Home Again” is probably my favorite. It changed shape the most from being an acoustic demo to being improvised live with the band in the studio. It’s took on an entirely new life. That groove on the chorus really hits me.

What is your favorite line from the album?

“White t-shirts, rich desserts, they’re simple yet parlous. I guess I forgot”
For some reason that line cracks me up in the context of the song. Poetic mundanity, I guess.

Who helped make this album what it is?

It was great cutting this live with my band. We hadn’t been able to work that way in a while and it made a huge impact on the energy and sound. Adding Naomi into the fold on vocals felt great. We hadn’t worked with her since 2011.
Kris Johnson and Chris Walla both contributed enormously. Kris Johnson really held the whole session down and got great performances from us. Walla pushed things much further out into the stratosphere with his mixing touch and his key playing is essential to the overall sound.

If you could remix any song and feature any artist, what song would it be and who would you feature on it?

This is a tough one. I don’t really think of this stuff as being great remix fodder. But I’ve been a long-time fan of Far and I think some of the sounds Shaun Lopez gets on that Crosses stuff with Chino Moreno is really cool. So That’d be wild to hear him take a crack at something on this album.

What's your dream?

My dream is to just live a full and content life. And watch those I love and care about do the same. Music plays a big part in that for me. I hope I can continue to have the energy and will to write and create for as long as I’m here.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream?

Find something you’re truly passionate about, regardless of fiscal perception, and try to do it every day. Great art isn’t usually lucrative, so do it for you and do it for your friends, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not worth a damn just because it doesn’t make you rich.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rtraster/?hl=en

Website: http://songsofryantraster.com

Listen to 'Low Mirada' onSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7LnU9PKfInP4Hi74i5APC3?si=085-CuzAQ62gnm1us0OV8Q

Photography credit: Kimberly Traster

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