Today I’m going to be telling you about our Artist of the Week, Singer-Songwriter Ronnie Wylder!
Here’s her story in her own words, enjoy!
Vms: “When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory.”
Ronnie Wylder:”My journey with singing had a rocky start—I was kicked out of Choir at seven. It wasn’t until after six spinal surgeries that I found my true voice. During my gymnastics and horseback riding days, a deformed vertebra caused immense spinal issues. Surgery followed years of discomfort and ineffective treatments. Throughout, music became my solace, leading me to karaoke and later open-mics. Despite two unsuccessful surgeries, music remained my constant companion. After enduring six operations over five years, my spine found some semblance of normalcy. Now, music isn’t just a passion but my profession. Cover gigs and restaurant performances sustain me, though my dream is to live off my original songs. Singing full-time is a blessing I’m incredibly grateful for.”
VMS: “What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.”
Ronnie Wylder: “I refuse to confine my art to a singular box—be it genre, style, or creative expression. My inspirations are vast, drawing from a myriad of artists. Prince, for his boundless creativity; Amy Winehouse, a vocal powerhouse; Ella Fitzgerald, shaping my jazz vocal style; and Abigail Barlow, an independent artist whose journey deeply inspires me. I recently embarked on a road trip to witness her inaugural live show in LA—it was a journey I wouldn’t have missed for anything.”
VMS: “Tell Me about your new album ” Sultry Serenade”.”
Ronnie Wylder: “At first, I set out to create this album just to have some CDs to sell, but it’s turned into something much more. I’m all about preserving those timeless melodies and bringing more jazz to my generation. It’s only piano and vocals—I didn’t have a big budget. Still, I’m really proud of how it turned out! It’s my first big project like this, and the support and feedback I’ve received has been so incredible.”
Listen to “Sultry Serenade” on Spotify:
VMS: “What’s your writing process or inspiration for your music.”
Ronnie Wylder:”The process varies with each song, but typically, I start by pinpointing one line that packs a punch. From there, I build the rest of the lyrics around that line. Often, that initial line also sparks a melody idea, serving as the cornerstone for the entire song, infusing it with purpose and emotion.”
VMS: “I love your songs “Plot Twist (Demo)”, “I.D.C” and “Planet 99″. What’s the story or inspiration behind these songs.”
Ronnie Wylder: “I have mixed feelings about my early pop songs, but I’ll try not to be too harsh. “I.D.C” was my second single, and at the time, I was grappling with a whirlwind of teenage drama. I was heavily influenced by artists like Lizzo and Meghan Trainor. Despite producing it myself (you can tell by the EQ issues), I was aiming for a pop icon status that didn’t quite align with who I really am.
Listen to “I.D.C” on Spotify:
“Planet 99” came to life during the chaotic times of the 2020 lockdown. Ironically, I didn’t feel the external pressures much, as I was recovering from surgery and doing homeschooling. The song stemmed from the angst of loneliness—a catchy beat concealing deeper emotions. Loneliness has been a longtime struggle for me, and I channeled that into a pop anthem. Although I was still in my pop phase, this track started nudging towards a funkier pop side. I collaborated with Sota Nakumara on the Outerspace Version, and while his work was fantastic, we made a slight mistake by raising the key, making me sound like a “My Little Pony,” which is amusing but not my favorite.
Listen to “Planet 99” on Spotify:
“Plot Twist” holds a special place—I still aim to create the final version. It emerged during a period of silence in my music releases, with my production skills taking a backseat. I was grappling with deep family issues, battling anxiety and rage. Frustrated with my stagnant musical journey, I needed to release something to prove to myself that I could. Initially a poem, this song mirrored self-absorbed people in my life but held a twist—it was also about my perpetual dissatisfaction with myself. It was a cathartic release, even though the demo was far from perfect. Releasing this song was my way of saying, “I’m a work in progress, but I’m trying. Someday, I’ll break free from everyone’s expectations and my own.”
Listen to “Plot Twist (Demo)” on Spotify:
VMS: “What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
Ronnie Wylder: “At my cover gigs, I’m the background singer, setting the mood—that’s my gig. But in my original shows, I aim for something more. I want my audience to vibe with every emotion we’ve all felt. And by the end, I don’t just want them to feel like it finished too quickly, but to leave with a sense of hope.”
VMS: “Tell me about your new song “When your High.” What was the inspiration behind this song.”
Ronnie Wylder: “Even though this song just dropped this year, I penned it back when I was 17—and guess what? The original vocal take from that time is still in there. It’s a piece that delves into my encounters with substances and witnessing their impact on people. It’s about the loneliness I felt as I watched others get high while I sat in my own misery. Life was pretty rough at 17. But once more, I set it all to a catchy beat. That was my fix—the music, my songs.”
Listen to “When your High” on Spotify:
VMS:”What’s your overall theme or message of your music.”
Ronnie Wylder: “Expressing this is tricky, but in essence, each song tells its own story. What I aim to convey most is the depth of life—embrace it all, the highs and lows. Take that pain and craft something beautiful. Even in our solitude, we’re all walking this path together.”
VMS: “Do you have any crazy awesome stories from working in the music scene that you would like to share, or anyone that you have met or loved working with.”
Ronnie Wylder: “Too many! And I’m only getting started! I guess the gist of it is that I learned musicians are either crazy nice, or crazy entitled assholes. C-lister celebs are worse that B & A listers, and 90% of things you wouldn’t believe are pay-to-play! That being said, I am so ready to take over the indie scene.”
VMS: “What does the future hold for Ronnie Wylder.”
Ronnie Wylder: “I’m the kind with a few too many plans, always biting off more than I can chew. Thinking about a comeback for my band, Cosmic Frenzy, from my early days in the indie scene. Expect loads of original songs, and who knows, maybe even an EP. Let’s just say, 2024 is shaping up to be one WYLD year!”
What I’ve always loved about Ronnie Wylder is the beautiful journey she takes me on with her intoxicating vocals. She has this yearning, this “wise beyond her years” vibe. You can tell she truly feels what she sings and writes about. To me, that is what separates the good singers versus the great ones. The good singers have the skills and know how to use their voice accordingly. However, with the great vocalist, they truly feel that emotion to their core of what their singing and writing. The great singers can take me on that emotional journey of love, loss, and self exploration to a depth that the good singers haven’t figured out yet. That’s what is fascinating to me about Ronnie Wylder, that beautifully complex raw conviction, but also incredibly skilled vocals she has in her songs. I’m so excited to watch her evolution as an artist, she’s mentally and vocally light years ahead of the game and I’m excited to watch that journey unfold for her.
—-VMS
For More Information about Ronnie Wylder please visit her site:
Ronnie Wylder on Instagram:
Ronnie Wylder on Spotify:
Ronnie Wylder on Apple Music:
Ronnie Wylder
Mike West