Call & Response: Ryan Leyva AKA Johnny Nails

When any kind of art becomes a job, the process can lose the magic and become… less magical, more mundane. Ryan Leyva AKA Johnny Nails has not lost an ounce of that magic. If anything, it’s only growing. After decades in the music industry, he exudes a joy and enthusiasm for music that can fan even the smallest creative spark into a flame.

In this excerpt, the Seattle-based Guitar Slayer, producer, and mix engineer gives us an energized look at his early music flash points, how his career has brought him to new places, and channeling his grunge roots into a release on our Analog Champion label.

LN: You’ve cited an instant love with your first Tascam 4-Track recorder as a key moment in your career “capturing sound” and “making noise.”

How do you describe those early recording memories and how do you channel that into your music today?

RL: My dad also plays music and let me use all of his stuff, like the Tascam. I would spend hours in the basement at his house playing along with records and recording myself along with it. Then I discovered plugging my delay pedal into a microphone. Whoa. Let's go! I quit sports and focused on music. I also recorded my first band ever in like 7th grade called "Blue News" (chokes on name) with such hits like “Chameleon” (Headhunters) and "Red House" (Hendrix). Pretty sure I have those tapes still. And I still play with a couple of those guys! But now I have 20 years professional experience doing it so my records (hopefully) sound a lot better. Glad I had the chance to experiment so much as a kid, it really shaped my creativity around sounds.

LN: The array of artists you’ve toured and collaborated with over the years is incredible, including American Idol stars, legends like Duff McKagan and Wynton Marsalis, and more. With that range, it makes sense that you keep this quote in big bold letters on your website: “Music has no boundaries and neither should your scope of learning it.”

Is this a sentiment that you’ve learned over time, was taught to you, were born with, or some combination? How does it guide the which projects/artists you choose to work with?

RL: Over time but early on! I'm super thankful for the Rooselvelt Jazz Band and Scott Brown for lighting the path to work ethic and education. I mean, some serious bad asses came out of that program that I still know to this day. Duff went to Roosevelt! And my friend Melissa Reese from the time I was there is now the keyboardist in GnR! Wild.

I never stop learning, listening, and trying to grow as an artist and producer. So, I work with everyone from all walks of life as long as they are decent humans that love music too.

LN: You recently worked on Grunge (ACPM-027) on our Analog Champion label. Living and working in Seattle, how did you approach this record so that it feels authentic to the spirit of the genre with so much history and connection to your city?

RL: First off - this was such a pleasure to work on. I grew up in Seattle in the 90's, learning guitar and playing along with Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Fastbacks! This music is in my DNA. I still love those bands and my city. If you ever need a full monty Seattle grunge hit, which I did while working on this record, come to my hood and visit Easy Street for breakfast and record shopping. It's rock n roll mecca and Eddie's probably at the counter having coffee.

You can learn more about Ryan Leyva AKA Johnny Nails by checking out the full interview on our blog by clicking here.