Music Spotlight: Rynn

Oct 24

Oct 24 Music Spotlight: Rynn

Summer might be over, but we’re still living in the dreamy soundscape of singer-songwriter Rynn’s latest EP Summer of Tokyo. The 6-track EP is perfect for the early nightfall and has us completely enthralled with its atmospheric production, illusory vocals + introspective lyrics. We personally can’t get enough of the emotive night version of Nothing Ever Feels Like + the otherworldly Like a Dream. We caught up with Rynn Kempthorn all about the EP + what she has in store for us this fall. Trust us, you’ll want to keep an eye on Rynn.

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your EP release! Can you tell us about Summer Of Tokyo?
Rynn Kempthorn: Thank you! So, a few years ago, I spent a month in Japan, and it was a really impactful time of my life in a lot of ways. It was one of the toughest times, but also a season where I felt like I grew a lot and figured out what I wanted my life to look like moving forward. All of the songs on this EP somehow tie back to the relationships in my life during that season and the headspace I was in during that summer. Releasing this EP feels like a closing to that chapter.

AM: What song from the EP do you think would resonate most with your fanbase?
RK: So far, it’s been Before I Loved You. That song has gotten playlisted on Spotify a bit, and many fans have reached out about it! I also have a collaboration remix version of the song coming out this fall. Along with that, I think the song Tokyo. It’s the most honest song I’ve ever written, and it was kind of terrifying to put it out.

AM: Are there any consistent themes you typically pursue through your music?
RK: The most consistent theme is that it’s really honest. For me, writing is my way of looking in the mirror and checking in with myself. It’s my emotional release and how I can express the things that I have a hard time talking about in real life.

AM: How does this EP compare to your previous work, such as Nightfires?
RK: I think it’s a little pop and a little less polished in some ways. Writing music is a continuous cycle of me finding, connecting with, and expressing myself, so I think my work is constantly evolving based on what I’m inspired by and feeling the day I’m working on it.

AM: For first time listeners, how do you like to describe your sound?
RK: Overall, I’ve wanted the music feel really chill, dreamy and atmospheric. I want it to be able to strike an emotional chord with the listener and almost swoop them out of reality and transport them to a different headspace. Lately, I’ve been describing it as ‘alternative dream-pop’.

AM: What other musicians are you currently listening to?
RK: Currently I’ve been really into the new albums by Bon Iver, Noah Gundersen and The Head and the Heart. There’s also always a side of top-40 pop jams that I can dance around my room to.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self and your music?
RK: There’s not one specific place, but I definitely feel a stirring in my heart whenever I’m in the forrest or mountains. I also love going back to where I’m from in Ohio and can disconnect from the busyness of everyday life. I tend to naturally write a lot when I’m there without even really trying to.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
RK: I have the next EP recorded, and we’re just working on mixing. I’ll probably start releasing singles from it late fall through the new year. I also release music under the name MØØNWATER that’s more cinematic and geared toward various ads, films and TV shows.