Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Padilla.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in Mont Belvieu, Texas, playing worship music and writing music since I was 12, listening to bands like Switchfoot, U2, Relient K, Coldplay, and The Fray. I’ve always loved rock n’ roll, and I think that sound is probably my roots, but I’ve grown to love all sorts of different genres of music. I’ll listen to rap, hip-hop, r&b, pop; the list goes on. I progressed the most musically in high school and started a band with my friends called The Response. This was a fun experiment mainly because we didn’t have a set genre; we literally played whatever we wanted. From hard rock to pop, to piano ballads, to inspirational alternative rock, to funk, – we had no limits and really had no other purpose other than to make music that we thought was fun to play. It was also fun because it was a season of firsts for all of us: first show, first full-band song, first single release, and first time trying to spread awareness for something we put our time and hearts into. It was a fun season, and it was also a BIG learning experience. I think I speak for everyone who was involved when I say my time in The Response helped me to hone in my talents and abilities on aspects ranging from artist development and branding to playing guitar, singing, and writing songs. When I graduated in 2015, I moved to Denton, TX to study Marketing at the University of North Texas. I still live in DFW today.
Please tell us about your art.
In November 2017, I set out to record an album under the artist name Little King, which released in November 2018. The debut Little King album, So This Is How Things Are Now, is a combination of genres including Indie Alternative Rock and Singer-Songwriter/Folk. The record represents a period of my life that broke me, and left me wondering “Is this it? Is this just how life is going to be from now on?” I was tired of being hurt; tired of feeling really happy for a season, and then feeling absolutely broken and ravaged for the next season. Tired of pain coming from things that were supposed to bring joy and fulfillment. This album was my way of expressing the frustration I had with the patterns I had been experiencing. On the flip side, this album is a celebration of life, as I also came to the realization that life is precious and worth living. Every painful experience and dark season makes the best parts of life that much more fulfilling and enjoyable. There is an art in learning to balance these seasons we go through, and as we learn to balance, we learn to appreciate life for what it is no matter what our circumstances may look like. Overall, I love albums that tell a story through both the lyricism and production, and that’s what I tried to do with this record. The album connects and flows through these ideas both musically and lyrically, and is meant to take the listener on a journey.
I am a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. I make music and specialize specifically in writing, producing, artist development, marketing, and branding. When people hear my music, I hope they hear something that they can relate to; something that gives them hope, and something they can hold on to. When I was growing up, I had all these artists and songs that really helped me get through hard times – if my music can do that for people, I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
As I stated earlier, my goal when I make music is for people to resonate with what I create; for them to relate and feel heard/understood/represented in their own thoughts/feelings. When I was growing up, I had all these artists and songs that really helped me get through hard times – if my music can do that for people, I’ll feel like I’ve achieved my measurement of success as an artist.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The debut album from Little King, So This Is How Things Are Now, is available everywhere you listen to music.
Instagram: @littleking.music
Facebook: @thisislittleking
Merch is available for order online at both of the social media accounts – items available include a long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, album poster, and logo stickers (more to come soon).
All methods of support are encouraged and appreciated, from buying merch to attending shows and listening to/sharing the album with people you think will like the sounds we put together.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas/Fort Worth
- Website: coming soon
- Email: littlekingbooking@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleking.music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisislittleking/
Image Credit:
Peyton Land, Benjamin Garza, Jordan Wright, Matthew Frolick, Alexander Weston
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
