'Calico' Unveiled
a conversation between Ryan Beatty and Zane Lowe / july 11 2023
We arrived on the rooftop 20 minutes early. My mom and I never do that, always laughing on the freeway, unbothered by the thought of walking in late, tiptoeing into the back row at any particular event. Being on time, planning backward, and adhering to self-set deadlines aren't rocket science. But it's boring being punctual.
However, to see Ryan Beatty was the opposite of boring. Beatty is someone who, since 2018, has remained in my Spotify playlists, been added to my collegiate acapella group’s repertoire, and who I continue to admire from afar. Part of the BROCKHAMPTON universe, he became a foundation of melody and harmony in my rotation. Always wowing and never disappointing, each Beatty project revealed something new of him. When news broke of a rare and intimate interview at the Grammy Museum in Downtown LA, with Zane Lowe (!!) no less, I bought tickets in a heartbeat.This time, Mom, we had to be on time.
Throughout the interview portion of the evening, Lowe and Beatty delved into the depths of his artistic evolution and the creation of his transformative album, Calico. This engaging conversation provided a captivating window into Beatty’s creative process and the emotional narratives behind the album's tracks, all to prime us for the anticipated live performance in closing.
It had been four years since Beatty was last on the stage. The pandemic’s slowness was a blessing in disguise, affording an introspective solitude he needed to heal and cherish moments with loved ones. It reminded me of something Tyler, The Creator once said, Make moments for future nostalgia. It was painful work for Beatty to let go of old patterns, but granted him a degree of liberation.
Calico, a record three years in the making, emerged as a testament to this transformation. It was the album Ryan Beatty had always aspired to create, born from a desire to craft something he was truly proud of. He recounted early days in the industry, lost at 15, creating music misaligned with his artistic vision. It was those experiences that turned him into a self-proclaimed control freak – a byproduct of his early exposure to an adult way of life. However, Calico was marked by his willingness to relinquish control and allow the album to be ingested organically post-release.
RB: (Calico) feels like a secret and it's weird being out, but it's in safe hands.
Zane Lowe deftly guided the conversation towards the emotional heart of the album, focusing on its profound impact on listeners. He playfully sang a lyric from opening track ‘Ribbons’, from Monterey to Camarillo, marveling at the songs’ innate ability to touch his soul with every listen. As the album's opener, these words served as a microcosm of the album's emotional tapestry.
ZL: The record has a different impact every time I listen to it.
Describing the album's creative process, he shared the role of Ethan Gruska, who contributed to its musical landscape. Beatty first wrote the songs in their simplest form before the recording process, where the ideas would be reframed and amplified. He looked back at the inception of the song ‘Multiple Endings,’ where Gruska’s piano loop ignited the melody. Beatty claims he had (politely) asked Gruska to leave the room, giving the space to confront the idea of what he wanted to say.
RB: (‘Multiple Endings’) celebrates loneliness. It was rewarding being at a low point with just yourself. It was hard to connect with people at that time. I was the loudest one in the room but lonely.
When Gruska returned the song was written. It took just one hour to capture the essence of the album.
[As a songwriter, I’ve wrestled with this idea of instantaneous perfection. When something flawless ‘just flows out’ of you, there is no stability. Without knowing the method and reason behind how/why something happened, how can you recreate this success? I brought this up to a friend of mine, and his response left me wondering. To him, when songwriting becomes scientific, it loses its artistic credibility. Though it has proven results, it is not the only method to reach commercial success. Perhaps those who rebuke method based songwriting, put themselves in situations where they can act as a conduit for inspiration. Put in practice, Beatty gave himself the room to let his purest creativity flow out. Not following certain steps or limited by a template, but letting his heart open up and say what it needed. Thus, breeding his most beloved work to date (and a commercial success!).]
RB: Melody has to be from your instinct. It's writing that takes time.
In a playful exchange, Lowe admitted the entire interview would be him "gassing up" the singer. Beatty’s response? Period. It was a great moment to see his personality and character. A hearty reminder that he is still a 20-something existing in this age of trends and technology.
After the audience laughter died down, the conversation turned into a detailed analysis of the album's lyrics. Beatty’s openness about his struggles and emotions during the creation of songs like ‘Multiple Endings’ highlighted the cathartic power of music. This was further exemplified by the song ‘Bright Red’, which he described as a celebration of love in its purest form – a resilient force that remains unscathed by external circumstances. The track ‘Hunter’ revisits his youthful experiences, particularly of nature and fishing in the mountains. On the naming of the record, Beatty returns to this celebration of the earth. Calico was chosen to emphasize the idea of vast fields – a symbol of his intention to break open both artistically and emotionally.
Beatty’s recollections offered a glimpse into the emotional resonance of individual tracks. A favorite of mine, ‘Bruises Off The Peach', was crafted after a week alone at Shangri La, as a product of solitary reflection. It captures a fragile and raw vocal quality that lent the track its distinct texture. Beatty himself deemed the chorus as some of his finest lyrical work, once again reflecting on his growth as a songwriter.
ZL: Is it like leaving something outside to see if it will be there when you come home?
RB: Yeah, it can either be liberating or heartbreaking.
Regardless of public opinion, Beatty felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in this record, where no other release has ever brought that sense of sureness.
Then, in a bright red SMU shirt centered with an emblematic blue horse, Beatty was joined by his band, his stage presence drawing in the audience. His performance breathed new life into songs, and the crowd hung on his every word. The interplay of instrumentation, intimate vocals, and street sounds created a mesmerizing ambiance.
Friends and collaborators, like Jabari Manwa of BROCKHAMPTON, were spotted in the crowd. This includes the Jenni and Jacob (Bixenman aka ex-boyfriend of Troye Sivan) referenced in ‘White Teeth’, reflecting the close-knit community that Ryan is a part of. The evening was punctuated with standing ovations and a strengthened tether between artist and audience.
The evening was an introspective journey into the heart and soul of Ryan Beatty's artistic odyssey. It opened with an insightful conversation by way of Zane Lowe and concluded with a live performance, where Ryan unveiled the transformative power of authenticity, growth, and vulnerability. As it turns out, the outcome of bravely facing one's own transformative journey is one of beauty.
Period, Ryan. Period.