SLICE OF LIFE 2 | Ryan Noravong

Ryan Noravong (pronouns: he/him) is a Lao-American singer-songwriter who likes lyrics and equally loves League. His music is a collection inspired by midnight thoughts and milk tea cravings, reflective of his feelings on life and what it means to be a creative person. Although life can sometimes get in the way, Ryan still finds happiness and joy in turning a musical vision into a melodic reality. 

Viv: Alright bro, let’s get started

Ryan: Let’s gooo

Viv: First off, i just wanna know — how the hell did you get into music?

Ryan: Shoot, I mean

There’s not really one specific thing or memory that i can pinpoint when i wanted to do music

My dad is pretty famous in the Lao community, he gets recognized a lot and he does a lot of gigs for them

Like he goes and sings for lao new year and in different states

he taught me how to sing and how to do a lot of music and audio stuff

When i was a kid i always watched american idol

Viv: *GASP*

Ryan: Hahahaha

Yeah we’d watch it together, that would be a pastime that me and him would do when we still lived in our old mobile home

We’d watch american idol and he’d be like, “you gotta sing like that. See how that guy sings? You gotta sing like that. it’s like a technique.”

I would hear my dad sing karaoke all the time too. he would go and do gigs, or i would go to asian parties and he’d be singing on stage

So he heard me singing one day. I sang “Bad Day”

he was like “Oh wow, you sing that song pretty good!”

And I was like “Oh! Thanks. I should probably do it more.”

He was like “Yeah go for it.”

So I kept on doing music, he bought me a piano one day when we were at Sam’s club, and he was like “do you want piano lessons?”

And I was like “Sure, why not?”

Viv: LOL

Ryan: And it’s funny because the cliche is that asian parents would force their kids to be in a music thing

Viv: yeah i was gonna say 

that is a drastically huge contrast compared to how other asian-american stories start

Because most of the time we hear [immigrant parents] usually wanting their kids to make a lot of money and just do creative stuff on the side

But your story is different

Ryan: It’s weird, right?

It’s funny because he wanted me to be into music, but when it got to that age of “what do you want to do when you grow up?”

Viv: the dreaded question LOL

Ryan: yeah haha

I mean he didn’t want me to go FULLY into music, because obviously there are risks that you have to take

Like let’s say you go on American Idol and you don’t make it. I mean…it sucks right? 

Because you’re there and you’re like “what do i do now? That was my big shot! What happened?”

I was also kinda scared of the risk cause i didn’t wanna be in my late 20s and left with no money and not doing well for myself, so…

Viv: LMAO

Ryan: It’s okay i still do it on the side and I still am very much in love with it, it’s just is a little harder these days, that’s it

Because i have a full-time job and it takes up a lot of my time

Viv: it’s like that sometimes

in some cases, i feel like we have to sacrifice our creative hobbies to some extent in order to just survive

Which kinda sucks because i feel like there’s a lot of potential in creativity

That’s your chance to write your story, you know?

Ryan: it is, yeah

Viv: it just feels like people are either creating or surviving.

Going back to your point about American Idol, there’s another perspective where it’s like

Even if you don’t make it to the top or win, you can still be a standout person 

Cause it’s your personality that stands out.

So if your audition doesn’t go well, but it blows up on social media

They could be like “Yo why the hell did this person not pass? They deserve it!”

Ryan: Yeah

It’s like, who really won at that point? Hahaha

Viv: Exactly!

So there we were, delving into Ryan’s origin story. I knew going in that music was at least an integral part of his culture (as with all Southeast Asian communities), but I did not expect his dad to be the one pushing him to go into music. As fun and hilarious as it is for karaoke to be an integral part of SEA culture, that really warmed my heart, and made me more curious about his own music.

Viv: Let’s talk about the music you have on your Spotify page

Specifically, your track “Insomnia.” I really liked that one. I liked it so much that it’s actually in the Blood Citrus Spotify playlist.

Ryan: You wanna know the story behind that song?

Viv: YOU CAN F*CKING TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT SONG.

Ryan: If you wanna know the story behind every song i will tell you, because—

Like okay, this is a big personal peeve of mine and i know it’s like if you’re an artist you’re entitled to this

But i hate it when people say “well, when you listen to a song, it’s really your interpretation”

Because for me it’s like, i actually wanna know how you felt when you wrote that. I feel like I’d have a better connection with this song if you told me what was going on in the song.”

Viv: SAME

I wanna hear the backstory behind songs. Just like how I wanna hear the backstory behind “Insomnia.”

Ryan: Yeah sure

So I was working at a boba shop, And i had this coworker who…

We got really close during COVID, cause we still had to work when covid was still going around

there was a lot of late nights and minecraft sessions and discord calls and staying up till 4am

And it’s kinda like, when you’re with this person for a long time in those late nights, you have this trauma bond of stressing out over sleep and working the next day

We’re all kinda honest— like super honest with each other—and talking about our feelings and all that

It makes you feel close with someone

so “insomnia” is about that where you’re like

“Well, i’m stressed out, but at least I’m chillin with a friend at 4AM. At least i can relax until i have to go to work”

Viv: lol you both see the sunrise and you’re like “ah shit i gotta go to work now.”

Ryan: hahaha

But i really liked how open we were in those late nights, you know?

We still talk, we are still friends, but we are not like that. 

we never were, it was more of a one-sided thing,

That was several years ago, I’m happily in a relationship now

It’s funny because i write songs when i’m sad, but these past two years I haven’t really written any songs because i haven’t been sad

Because i’ve been happily in a relationship hahaha

Viv: you gotta go sit on a train or a bus on a rainy day and just

look out the window

Ryan: look out the window

LOL

“Oh, the raindrops on this window…”

“So sad…”

Viv: Your hand goes on the window and you slowly move it down

Ryan: Hahahaha

That’s actually a good idea

I did used to write songs on the bus on my way to school

like i’d get on the train and i’d just sit there waiting for the train on my notes app just writing really emo shit

Viv: All the deepest darkest shit from years ago is all in your Notes app

Ryan: Don’t even look there, it’s a labyrinth bro, i’m not even gonna go there

WHEW

Anyways LOL

Man I miss writing music

Just like on a daily

I don’t have that [time] anymore

I wake up, go to work, go back, and sleep. 

Viv: At this point, we’re kinda forced to have to make time for it.

Ryan: Yeah and I’m not good at scheduling things like that. I’m so bad at time management.

i think that trait is very common in musicians, at least the ones I’ve encountered.

Because usually when i create, it’s in the spur of the moment. It’s never like, “I’m going to sit down and i’m going to write a song.”

It’s never like that, and every time i try to do something like that, it’s always not as good as when i’m like “GASP I have an idea!”

Writer’s block is terrible.

I’ll be at work and i’ll have an idea for a song and i’ll be like 

“Dang it i’m at work bro!”

“I can’t just pull out my piano and start writing in the middle of work”

Viv: Yeah you can’t just pull out your notes app

You gotta go use the restroom and do it there.

Ryan: Oh that’s exactly what I’ll do

“I’ll go the restroom real quick, boss”

Then I’ll pull out the piano app on my phone

Viv: Imagine pulling out an actual piano while you’re in the stall

Ryan: Aww man, that’d be crazy

Viv: “Where’s the music coming from?”

Ryan: “Ryan you were gone for an hour, what happened?”

Viv: “The music stopped all of a sudden, too.”

Nostalgic summer lo-fi, coming to a public restroom near you.

Nah, we’re totally kidding. You probably want to hear live music in a better area, like parks, plazas, or even in-person gaming tournaments.

Viv: AND SPEAKING OF GAMES

LET’S JUMP INTO GAMES

Because I used to play a lot of League

And by that I mean I mostly play TFT

Ryan: Aw man I love TFT man

It’s SO fun

When I play, I troll, and I do it really well

I get top 3 and i’m like “idk how i got here i was trolling the entire time”

Viv: NO SAME THO

I’m sitting in top 4 like “idk what the hell i’m doing” LOL

Ryan: Yup

It’s a turn-off-your-brain game

Viv: Do you play League, too?

Ryan: I do

I’ve played League since I was….13 I wanna say

Oh god, more than 10 years ago

Can you imagine playing a toxic game for 10 years and being okay

That’s crazy

Viv: It’s like the toxic ex 

You think you’re over them but then you keep going back

There’s new updates, they get a glow up and you’re like “aw shit”

Ryan: “Maybe they’re different this ti—nope, still the same” hahaha

Yeah I love League, my brother plays it, I play it, all my friends play it

It’s a good pastime

Viv: you should make a song called “toxic ex” and have it be about your relationship with league

People are gonna be like “oh was there a toxic person in your life? I totally relate.”

And you’re gonna be like “nah bro I’m talking about league”

Ryan: Wait that’s actually a good idea I’m gonna write that shit down 

Viv: LOL

Pre-save “Toxic Ex (Out of My League),” available soon on all streaming platforms. 

Nah, I’m just kidding. Or maybe I’m not. It could become a song, it might not — who really knows? :^)In my opinion, that “song” has the potential to be a top 5 hit for almost any season (in both League and IRL). With this in mind, I wanted to know what Ryan’s top 5 songs were in order to get a better understanding of his musical taste.

Ryan: Alright, number 5.

“hypochondriac” by brakence

It’s such a pretty song, dude. It’s so personal

Like he’s singing close to the mic in your ear. That’s my favorite part of the song

He talks about how he misses this person so much that it hurts

It’s a good song

Okay number 4, it’s gonna have to be “The Shade” by Rex Orange County, i love that song so much

The song is about him getting away for a few years because he felt like his partner needed space

That’s so sad, dude

Viv: yeah It’s usually people wanting to split because they don’t think they’re right for each other

But in this case, they’re apart because they feel like they need it

Ryan: I actually think they did end up breaking up

Which is even sadder

Viv: Oh damn

Ryan: Yeah

It’s really sad

Hmm let’s see…

The third song is

Back With You by SUGR?

You know Sugar Pine 7?

Viv: I don’t think so no

Ryan: They’re a YouTube channel, but then they stopped making videos.

One of them makes music now, and this song is nice because one of the lyrics is

“If you think that I’m a fool now, wait ‘til i’m back with you”

Because they already broke up, right? But he won’t get back together with her

So he’s like “if you think i’m stupid now, wait til i’m back with you”

I like that song it’s very catchy.

Okay for number 2 I’m gonna say,I love “basics” by TWICE

Viv: I’ve never heard this one

I’m personally not a TWICE fan

IT’S NOT THAT THEY’RE NOT GOOD

It’s just their music isn’t for me

Ryan: Oh no I totally get it

This song specifically has this 90s drum that is such an earworm to me

Viv: I gotta say, 90s, early 2000s music is super good

Ryan: Yeah

Okay my number 1 song, my favorite song of all time (and it has been that song for many years now)

Is “love” by keyshia cole

It’s been my favorite song since high school

Ryan: I will say tho that these top 5 songs change every year

like when i was younger i listened to pop punk a lot

fall out boy, neck deep

But like as i grew older i started liking more of the jazzy, personal down-to-earth closer-type songs

But yeah that’s my top 5. i know they’re all varied, but it’s a good thing right?

My Spotify Wrapped said that I liked K-Pop [a lot], and I was like “Nooo, it was just a really big year for K-Pop.”

Not my fault LOL

Viv: Yeah it’s not our fault they keep playing it everywhere LOL

Ryan: Actually I wanna know

What are your TOP 5 K-Pop groups?

Viv: Wow I’ve never had anyone ask me here

Ryan: I FLIPPED THE SCRIPT

Viv: YOU DID

Okay so in no particular order:

VIXX

Ryan: VIXX? I don’t think I’ve heard of them

Lemme search them up

(Ryan searches the group on a search engine)

No not the medicine…

Viv: LOL

KARD is also another one of my favourites

Ryan: Oh KARD yeah yeah

what’s his name…

Viv: BM?

Ryan: Yeah BM

He’s so funny dude

Viv: He’s SO funny

All my friends talk about how hot he is and I’m here like 

“Dude he’s hella funny”

Ryan: he’s both man LOL

Viv: I also love how everyone on social media sees his posts and are like “omg that’s so out of pocket”

But all the KARD fans are like “y’all that’s normal” LOL

Ryan: it’s such a refreshing thing to see though because K-Pop idols are usually like “Oh i can’t talk about that”

And then BM is just like “Oh yeah definitely I’d smash”

Viv: “I’d hit that” LMAO

Okay so KARD, VIXX…

AOA is great too, I loved Miniskirt, Like a Cat

My favourite was Bing Bing

2NE1 is also my fave, I have to put them in there

Minzy is MY GIRL

I LOVE HER

Ryan: I think everyone loves Minzy

Viv: Yeah she’s so talented

My last group…

MAMAMOO

They’re a new one, but I love them so much.

Moonbyul? Fantastic. 

Actually all of them are great but Moonbyul’s my bias so obviously I’m gonna let y’all know

She’s great

Stream literally any song by MAMAMOO, on all streaming platforms where their music exists.

That’s the last time I ask you to stream anything here, I promise. All that is left now is to ask one more thing from Ryan: words of advice.

Ryan: Lemme think about this…

I would say never stop [creating].

Like sometimes you just gotta put your foot down and make time

I feel like if you really wanna do it, if you truly wanna go out there and be a creative, if you really love something, don’t stop doing it

Even if it’s for a little bit a day, go play the piano. Go play the uke or guitar.

Do people still play ukes?

Viv: Yeah I think so

Ryan: Okay cool

In that same breath, do things at your own pace. Don’t feel rushed to do things as well

Make it a habit, but also, don’t feel obligated [to do it].

It’s kind of a Catch 22 thing

You can’t stop…but you gotta stop sometimes

Viv: LOL yeah

Go for the grind but don’t overwork yourself

Ryan: Right

Be good at time management, but don’t stop doing the things that you wanna do

At the same time, take breaks

And finally

I promise 

I will release music

I promise

Viv: Sounds like a plan

I look forward to that.

You can listen to Ryan's music on his Spotify page, which we'll link here for your convenience. You're welcome.

FOLLOW RYAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @bounkhong_
YouTube: @Bookang