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Composer and multi-instrumentalist
Ryan Farish describes his music as "positive chillout," though his fusion of dance, electronica, and chill-out has earned him a following that spans the boundaries of genre. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia,
Farish began taking music lessons and writing melodies when he was just four years of age. As a teenager, he studied music performance at Norfolk's Old Dominion University, and later studied music business at UCLA. In 2000,
Farish began taking his music public by posting material on the website MP3.com; his music soon developed a loyal following, and in time he racked up 1.8 million downloads from the site. The same year, he also released his first album, In the Day, through a small independent label, and in 2004 he signed with
EMI to release his breakthrough album
Beautiful.
Since then,
Farish had produced a steady stream of albums and singles, establishing his own Rytone Entertainment label to give him full control over his marketing and distribution.
Farish's career received a tremendous boost when the cable network The Weather Channel began using his music as part of their broadcasts; his distinctive, soothing melodies became a staple of their Local on the 8's segment, his music was featured on the compilation album The Weather Channel Presents: The Best of Smooth Jazz, and
Farish was commissioned to write the theme for the TWC's popular series Storm Stories.
He has also licensed his music for use in a variety of television programs, motion pictures, commercials, and promotional films. In addition, he has worked with a number of other noted artists, including vocalist
Donna Lewis and musician and producer
Paul Hardcastle, and has collaborated with gospel vocal group
Trin-I-Tee 5:7; "Listen" earned him a Dove Award in 2008 from the Gospel Music Association. And
Farish's music is a frequent presence on YouTube; his song "Pacific Wind" accompanied a video created to pay homage to American soldiers fighting in Iraq which has received well over 30 million views.
Farish has remained highly prolific, delivering a bevy of albums including 2010's
Bloom, 2011's
Upon a Dream, 60 on the iTunes dance charts. Two years later, he returned with
Spectrum. In 2017,
Farish released the full-length
United, which showcased a softer sound influenced by the birth of his daughter. ~ Mark Deming