Meet Thomas Wagstaffe | Lead singer of Ryland

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Wagstaffe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think it’s just how I see the world, so everything led in that direction. I spent my time in music growing up; I met my friends through music, and I learned how to process my emotions through music. It’s always been there nudging me along into new phases of life, so naturally it became the ambition for my career. So when it came to a point of starting the band, it was a no brainer. I believed in it, and I’ve been running for it ever since.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m the lead singer of a band called Ryland. We’re five friends who decided to make music together half a decade ago, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job so far. We’ve got four records to show for it and another one on the way in the spring which we’re so excited about. It’s never been easy – emotionally or financially – to pursue this, but it’s always been fulfilling. And that’s why we’re making another record – a five song EP that comes out this spring. It reflects who the band is more than ever before, and we are so excited for it to be out in the world. We worked hard to make this music and poured our hearts into every song. And that’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned: put yourself into your music over anything else. Don’t make art for others or for money – make art because you want to be able to look at your work and say, “My soul is in that.” That’s what you look back on and feel proud of. I hope, if nothing else, that this music can be something that I know is from my soul – because I think that’s what lasts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, they’d probably want to do a little bit of sight seeing, so we’d get that out in the first few days. Hollywood sign, Santa Monica pier, Venice Beach, etc. So that would be day one, maybe some of day two. Then for the rest of the time, I’d want to show them the things that I love. We’d hit up some breakfast tacos at Homestate, some Ramen of York, and pint at the Greyhound in Highland Park. It’d be fun to see a show at the Lodge Room as well. I’d show them the “Hey Joe” at Perry’s Joint in Pasadena and the Italian sub at Eagle Rock Deli. For sure I’d have to take them to Angel’s Tijuana Tacos and get there Al Pastor Burrito, my favorite burrito. I’d love to walk with them through Debbs Park, and I’d want to take them to Jones Coffee. Maybe I’d take them to Caveman Vintage Music to check out some awesome old guitars. And finally, I’d throw a party at my house and invite all my friends so everyone I loved could meet them. What a week that would be.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this to my fellow band members Jake Dahm, Elias Lucero, Nate Bowman, and Ron Jackson. You guys make this the beautiful experience that it is, and I’m honored to work with each of you. And I’d also like to dedicate this to my mother because she’s always believed in me, and she’s always told me to pursue my dreams.

Website: https://www.weareryland.com/home

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weareryland

Other: Spotify page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Ekf9P1XRqjP3MBwl6iFVT?si=FFIpHWiOSdiy5jAlhFPCWg Apple Music page: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ryland/1472845950 Email: weareryland@gmail.com

Image Credits
The one with the green lights: Sam Carleton The one with the green barn/shed building in the background: Sam Carleton The one of just me b/w with sunglasses: Jake Dahm All others: Angel Franco