trout baseline.
video premiere: new artist trout baseline releases electro pop music video for new single '(a) small town'
video premiere: new artist trout baseline releases electro pop music video for new single '(a) small town'
when you meet virginia based multi-instrumentalist ryan lee, you quickly realize that the name of his solo project, trout baseline, as well as the music that comes out of it isn't a front - it is who ryan really is. never an inauthentic representation of himself, ryan's identity as trout baseline has slowly but surely developed over a decade of performing as a producer/arranger and sideman for various groups, priming him to flourish into the songwriter and artist before you today.
trout baseline's debut EP, (a)round (released nov. 13, 2020) featuring his singles "5" (released oct. 2) and "thanksgiving day (all around)" (released oct. 23) showcases ryan's affinity for writing both dark and light pop-influenced melodies with a foundation firmly built on jazz and funk pedagogy. though not initially written to be a concept record, (a)round takes listeners through a five song cyclical work representative of night and day as they experience both hope and despair, stagnation and opportunity, as well as hardcore self-reflection and toxic social projection. influenced by the likes of sufjan stevens, matt corby, prince, and david bowie, trout baseline's debut EP is equally as diverse as it is focused on delivering meaningful lyrics and melodies that stay with listeners well after they leave trout baseline's sonic playground.
trout baseline's debut EP, (a)round (released nov. 13, 2020) featuring his singles "5" (released oct. 2) and "thanksgiving day (all around)" (released oct. 23) showcases ryan's affinity for writing both dark and light pop-influenced melodies with a foundation firmly built on jazz and funk pedagogy. though not initially written to be a concept record, (a)round takes listeners through a five song cyclical work representative of night and day as they experience both hope and despair, stagnation and opportunity, as well as hardcore self-reflection and toxic social projection. influenced by the likes of sufjan stevens, matt corby, prince, and david bowie, trout baseline's debut EP is equally as diverse as it is focused on delivering meaningful lyrics and melodies that stay with listeners well after they leave trout baseline's sonic playground.
trout baseline’s latest release, "(a) small town” is a companion piece to his debut EP, (a)round, and a B-side of the instrumental album closer “big city.” with added lyrics, the song's narrator asks a simple question: “do you want to take a walk with me?" with a looping drum pulse, synth-laden landscape and vocoder effect, the dream-like atmosphere builds in intensity and lushness with each transitional bar. the accompanying music video follows trout baseline on as he strolls through all corners of the city, taking in his surroundings with a zen-like curiosity.
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