Page 60 - ION Indie Magazine MayJune 2021

INTERVIEW

By Erika Johnson
Photo credit: Nicole De Khors

FUSING TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS

At 18 years old, Ryan Pettipas attended Evolve, his first EDM
(Electronic Dance Music) festival in Canada…and that’s exactly
what the show encouraged Ryan to do – evolve! Once the
festival lights went down, Ryan knew that he needed to change
the path he was on. He withdrew from his Business major at a
local university to pursue music.

“There is something very special about EDM shows,” Ryan told
ION Indie Magazine. Ryan’s new direction in the music world
wasn’t so far-fetched, as he had already taught himself both
drums and guitar when he was younger. During this time, Ryan
was listening to more metal, progressive rock, and grunge.

Ryan flowed with the vibe he caught at the Evolve to a career in
producing underground techno and house music tracks under
the name “Famba.” When ION asked Famba if he felt there were
similarities between metal, progressive rock, and grunge to
EDM he said, “Of course, these genres are very experimental
musically so there’s something for everyone.”

At the start of his DJ and production career, Famba met Corey
LaRue, who began mentoring him. LaRue encouraged Ryan to
attend a writing camp, which focused on lyrics and
composition. Ryan fell in love with writing tracks. “I barely
produce now. When I write it usually starts with a melody, then
I’ll add the lyrics,” he explained.