Ryan Cabrera Uncovers the Profound Meaning Behind His EP Release with the Arrival of His First Child
Ryan Cabrera talks about his latest EP release and how becoming a father to his first child has given him a profound sense of purpose In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his new song 'Prescription of You' and how his baby has already had a significant impact on his songwriting Don't miss out on this exciting update from the talented artist
Ryan Cabrera Michael Kovac/Getty Images for On Our Sleeves
Ryan Cabrera revealed that he has a special song in mind for his first child but is waiting for her birth. "I have a song in the works already for that," Cabrera told Us in mid-November. His wife, Lexi Cabrera, who is also known as WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss, was due in December but their baby, Hendrix Rogue, arrived early on November 27.
Prior to becoming parents, Ryan mentioned during an interview that he would sing his song to his daughter early in the morning, directed at Lexi's belly. He also added that they had recorded a demo of the song and would play it for her over the phone.
"We play a variety of songs," Cabrera shared. "We always play 'Here Comes the Sun' by The Beatles, and she just relaxes. Then we switch to this little tune, almost like a lullaby, and then it's like, 'Let's go.' We're not sure if she really enjoys it or if she's going to come out and tell me, 'Dad, never play that song again.' But we like to think that she loves it."
Fatherhood has transformed Cabrera in significant ways. During a Zoom call with Us, he appeared from his daughter's nursery, a room reminiscent of Turnstile's GLOW ON album with its pastel pink walls adorned with white clouds. A white bookshelf, lined with pink and white stuffed animals, adorns one side. Cabrera reveals that his unborn daughter already has "two rooms, two closets full of clothes" due to his and his wife Lexi's time spent between Los Angeles and Orlando. "She's thriving," he says with a smile.
As a husband and soon-to-be-father, Cabrera has gone through significant changes. He acknowledges that he has "already made a lot of adjustments" to his life as a musician. With the impending arrival of his baby, he anticipates an even more profound shift, stating, "My mindset, even from a songwriting standpoint, has kind of changed."
"Cabrera explained that the change in him is more about personal growth. He stated, 'I'm not saying that having a child completely changed me, but mentally, I feel like I've found more purpose in things. It has opened my mind in that sense.'"
"At the end of the day, I write what I write," he stated, emphasizing that he will not suddenly abandon his previous work to focus on writing folk songs about fatherhood. Cabrera referenced his song "Prescription of You," released in October, as a genuine representation of his artistic identity.
"It's a playful and bold song about intimacy," he described the pop-inspired track. "It's a seductive ode to being unable to resist someone."
"I will always be true to myself," Cabrera expressed. "And I believe my wife will remain true to herself as well. I know my parents are thinking, 'So much is going to change.' And yes, there will be changes in terms of schedules and responsibilities, but not in terms of personality. I mean, will I have to start censoring myself now, worried about what my daughter will think in the future?"
Cabrera emphasized the importance of being authentic as an artist, stating that if you're not true to yourself, your art won't ring true. While he doesn't plan to change his work now that he's a father, he does acknowledge that a significant change is taking place.
"The most significant change for me is that this gives me a true sense of purpose," he explained. "Before, my purpose was simply to write songs and bring joy to people. While that's still important to me, now it feels like I have a much larger purpose. That's pretty much the change in perspective for me."
To mark this new phase of his life, Cabrera has recently signed with Manic Kat Records and released "Prescription of You," a very pop song with layered vocals. While the verses are minimal, he emphasizes that the song is all about setting the mood.
"I wouldn't have done that in the past," he explains. "The vocals - practically the entire song is in falsetto. It's something I'd never attempted before." When Cabrera was writing the melody, he didn't sing the lyrics at full volume and was just playing around with the upper range of his voice. "And then, we thought, 'That actually sounds pretty cool. What if I just sang the whole thing in falsetto?'" The decision to use that vocal style for the entire song had a dual purpose: it not only sounded "pretty cool," but it also showcased a different side of Cabrera. While working on it, he wanted to surprise listeners and make them think, "Wait, is that Ryan Cabrera?"
“It creates a certain atmosphere,” he explained. “If you were familiar with my earlier work, you might be somewhat surprised. And then, there’s a whole new generation of listeners who are unfamiliar with any of my previous material, and perhaps they’ll come across this and think, ‘Oh, this is pretty cool.’ Then they might discover some of my older work.”
Courtesy of Ryan Cabrera/Instagram
Cabrera is currently working on an EP scheduled for release in 2024, emphasizing the range of diverse songs it will contain. He expresses satisfaction with the modern streaming era, which allows for greater experimentation and variety in his music. While he hasn't discarded the possibility of a future full album, Cabrera cites the wisdom of releasing shorter collections of five songs at a time. He envisions the upcoming EP as a concept release, covering elements of pregame, game time, and postgame relaxation.
"First, there's the music you'd want to listen to while getting ready," he explains. "Then, there's the mood for going out and partying, which is captured in 'Prescription of You,' followed by a set for unwinding at home. So, there's something for every mood."
Currently, Cabrera is able to collaborate on his new songs with his daughter, as well as his secret weapon, his wife. Bliss, who appeared as the Axolotl on season 9 of The Masked Singer, showcased her talent until she was unmasked halfway through the competition. Additionally, Lexi has proven that she can hold her own in the WWE ring and also shine on the mic.
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"Wow, I was incredibly impressed by Lexi's performance," Ryan exclaimed. "One of her biggest fears was singing in public, and to do it on television as the first thing - I would be nervous too, even after doing it for as long as I have. For her to get out there and do what she did really says a lot about her."
"We've had so much fun making home acoustic videos," he continued. "I think that's something we'll continue to do for fun in the future, making lighthearted videos and collaborations."
