Ryan Farish - Wilderness (2018)

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Farish describes his music as "positive chillout," though his fusion of dance, electronica, and chill-out has earned him a following that spans the boundaries of genre. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, Farish began taking music lessons and writing melodies when he was just four years of age. As a teenager, he studied music performance at Norfolk's Old Dominion University, and later studied music business at UCLA. In 2000, Farish began taking his music public by posting material on the website MP3.com; his music soon developed a loyal following, and in time he racked up 1.8 million downloads from the site. The same year, he also released his first album, In the Day, through a small independent label, and in 2004 he signed with EMI to release his breakthrough album Beautiful.

Since then, Farish had produced a steady stream of albums and singles, establishing his own Rytone Entertainment label to give him full control over his marketing and distribution. Farish's career received a tremendous boost when the cable network The Weather Channel began using his music as part of their broadcasts; his distinctive, soothing melodies became a staple of their Local on the 8's segment, his music was featured on the compilation album The Weather Channel Presents: The Best of Smooth Jazz, and Farish was commissioned to write the theme for the TWC's popular series Storm Stories.

He has also licensed his music for use in a variety of television programs, motion pictures, commercials, and promotional films. In addition, he has worked with a number of other noted artists, including vocalist Donna Lewis and musician and producer Paul Hardcastle, and has collaborated with gospel vocal group Trin-I-Tee 5:7; "Listen" earned him a Dove Award in 2008 from the Gospel Music Association. And Farish's music is a frequent presence on YouTube; his song "Pacific Wind" accompanied a video created to pay homage to American soldiers fighting in Iraq which has received well over 30 million views. Farish has remained highly prolific, delivering a bevy of albums including 2010's Bloom, 2011's Upon a Dream, 60 on the iTunes dance charts. Two years later, he returned with Spectrum. In 2017, Farish released the full-length United, which showcased a softer sound influenced by the birth of his daughter. ~ Mark Deming