Ryan Liatsis is best known as a guitarist, music educator and composer. Over the span of his two decade long career, Ryan has performed all over the United States, composed scores for top selling video games and worked with some of the most respected artists of our time. Drawing influence from a wide variety of revolutionaries like Frank Zappa, Hans Zimmer and Slash, Ryan’s unique approach and emphasis on originality has always remained at the forefront of his musical offerings. We caught up with Ryan recently to find out more about what makes him tick, here’s how we got on….

Please tell us about you, when/where did you start performing?

My name is Ryan Liatsis, I’m a solo instrumental artist from Nyack, NY. I began playing when I was about 14. At around age 16 I started writing, recording and performing my original songs.

Tell me a fascinating fact about yourself!

For the past 6 years I’ve been a ghost writer for video games. I have composed dozens of hours of music that has been featured in some top level games.

Do you remember the band or artist that made you want to pick up and instrument and learn to play?

In terms of actually starting playing guitar, I actually did it because my friend at the time had started guitar lessons and said we should jam. My dad brought me home his old bass one day and I took naturally to it so that was the real start. In terms of artists, my first game changer was probably the discovery of Guns N Roses. I became obsessed with Slash and his playing, and went on to transcribe a whole lot of their songs and his solos during my humble beginnings. That really made me want to focus on guitar and leave the bass behind!

Do you remember the first gig you ever played? How did you feel? Did it all go according to plan?

My first gig was, like many, my high school battle of the bands called Pirate Palooza. It felt great to be up there, playing for all my classmates. I thought we were actually pretty ok. I’d say it went according to plan, other than the fact that we lost! My cousin was in the band so that was cool and I went on to play for the next decade or so with the bass player. 

Have you ever met any of your ‘heroes’? If so, who did you meet and how did it go?

I have! Several in fact. I worked as a sound engineer for a while at a place called Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY. There I met a lot of great players and bands. Bass player Victor Wooten has certainly always been a hero and I got to do sound to him and his trio, which also featured another hero of mine on drums, Dennis Chambers. They were great to work with, good attitudes and nothing but mutual respect for our jobs as the engineers. And of course the show was amazing, it was very cool to see it from the other side. 

What do you carry with you at all times that you CANNOT live without?

Usually a can of seltzer and guitar picks. 

Tell me what you’re up to musically at the moment….

Currently my focus has been to put a band together to start playing shows. I reconnected with a drummer friend of mind from college and his bass player. We’re going through my catalogue and rearranging some of my stuff for live performance, as well as diving into writing some new material. Hoping to record a new album in 2024. We’ll likely do it in the North Jersey area when the time comes. 

What do you prefer more, playing a regular gig or playing a festival? How do they differ for you? (apart from the mud of course!)

A tough question! Both of course come with their pros and cons. Usually the energy and size of the crowd is superior at a festival. There’s just something in the air, and you can really get some great exposure to new fans. But sometimes a nice club date is all you need. A lot of times I like the sound better on indoor stages. Sometimes festivals can be tough with production because everything is moving so fast and there's 20 other bands to deal with. All in all, I’d say just like many things in life, a nice healthy balance of both is ideal for any artist. 

Tell me about the STRANGEST thing that ever happened to you when you’ve been on stage…..

One time at a festival I was in the middle of a sound check when a man, who was clearly on psychedelics, came running up to the stage. He was babbling incoherently, then he started to point at us and proceeded to climb up onto the stage. He then took a banana from his pocket and smushed it all over his face. He was getting a little too close so one of the production guys came out and tried to reason with him to get off the stage. Finally someone came and literally lifted the guy off the stage from a golf cart. He then came back in the middle of our set, took his pants off, mooned us, and fell in the dirt at the front of the stage and just layed there half naked for about 10 minutes. Again someone came and got him up on his feet, but then he took off, streaking away through the festival. I have never experienced anything like that.

Let’s imagine that you’ve been washed up on a desert island and there’s a record player, an amp and some speakers but only enough space for 3 records, which 3 would you have in the box to keep you going until you’re rescued? Why these three?

My all time favorite album is “Days of Future Passed” by The Moody Blues, so of course I’d have to take that. It just never gets old, one of those albums that I discover something new on every time. 

Next, I’d have to take Waka Jawaka by Zappa. Just for the nostalgia factor. It was my first Zappa album and I just couldn’t see any other way!

Finally, as selfish as this sounds, I’d probably like to hear my own music. To piggy back on my love of Zappa, a great concept from him that I couldn’t agree more with is to make music for yourself, and if anyone else cares to listen, then that’s great. I have taken this philosophy with me in my musical journey. 100% of what I write is for me, and hopefully, others will also enjoy listening. So I suppose if there was a Ryan Liatsis’ Greatest Hits album, I’d take that. 

Tell me about any forthcoming live shows that you have arranged

As mentioned, I’m still in the process of getting my live show together so no exact dates on that yet. I do however play regularly with another original project of mine called Western Skies, a 3 part harmony progressive folk rock style band. You can hear more at WesternSkiesOfficial.com 

Name 3 bands or artists that our followers should be checking out….

Matteo Mancuso - He’s probably one of my favorite new guitarists. Love his playing style and his writing. 

L.A. Express - This is an old band from the 70’s that I just learned was Joni Mitchell’s backing band. Unbelievable 70’s funk fusion. I just discovered them as well. 

Michel Petrucciani - Another new discovery for me. A completely out of this world jazz piano player who unfortunately died young.  

Where can people keep up to date with you on social media (please list all relevant sites)

I’m mostly on Instagram these days @Ryan.Liatsis

And my website has all my updates, lessons, and ways to keep in touch…www.ryanliatsis.com

Lastly, there are MILLIONS of bands/acts/artists out there, why should people be spending the time to check you out?

I think I have something completely unique to offer to the musical world. I may not have the flash some guitarists have, or the technique, but I think my songs and my playing are something out of the ordinary that most people can interpret. I also feel a sense of keeping this bizarre “guitar hero” art form alive. I think about who can be the next Jeff Beck or Larry Carlton, well maybe me haha….. I know making instrumental guitar heavy music basically puts me in the extreme minority in terms of what people want to hear and would listen to regularly, but I think my songs can really be perceived as emotionally moving pieces in the right setting. 

On top of that, I just love sharing my knowledge and know-how with people who are into music.  A lot of what I do online is offering mini lessons and advice to musicians who are looking to be out there playing shows and being in bands. So if you have a general interest in music and playing an instrument, then I might just be worth checking out.

We’d like to thank Ryan for sparing the time to chat to us and we wish him every success for the future, keep up to date with his movements HERE