Bryn Ryan-VanDyke Opens Up About “It’s Ok Special Edition,” Songwriting, and Her Guitars

Singer-songwriter Bryn Ryan-VanDyke recently released the reimagined version of “It’s Ok,” a song she wrote and recorded years ago. When tragic, natural calamities – fires, earthquakes, hurricanes – seemed to be everywhere, she felt the time was right to re-record the song.

The theme of “It’s Ok Special Edition” is it’s ok not to be ok, and it’s ok to need people.

Ryan-VanDyke’s pathway to music was unconventional: Standing under the Southern Cross on New Year’s Eve in Australia, she promised herself no regrets, no letting fear win.

She had never tried to sing and couldn’t play any musical instrument. She taught herself guitar and learned how to sing.

The music video depicts Ryan-VanDyke and her band getting ready to record in the studio and then segues to images of real footage, showing families left homeless by fires, people lining up for food, and helicopters dropping water on leaping flames. In the end, the video reveals a young girl holding a seedling – witnessing the resilience of life and the human spirit.

Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with Bryn Ryan-VanDyke to discuss “It’s Ok Special Edition,” her start in music, and her guitars.

What three things can’t you live without?

I cherish my friendships, relationships, and I love life. I try and remind myself of my blessings every day because nothing stays the same forever.  I’d say my most prized tangible possession is my American-made Ovation Custom Balladeer 12-string.  I do love my Ovation!

Walk us through your mindset as you recorded “It’s Ok Special Edition.” 

It was a long day in the recording studio.  The vocals were recorded last, and I was tired and concerned about doing a good job.  My mindset was not where it should be.

The embers of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires had recently been put out nearby, and there had been hurricanes on the East Coast as well as devastating world events.  I closed my eyes and envisioned reaching out and touching those people affected by my voice, wanting them to know they are seen.  When I pictured the people for whom I wrote the song, it put everything into perspective and focused my energy.

The original version of “It’s Ok” was released some time ago. What motivated you to re-record the song?   

‘It’s Ok Special Edition’ evolved as I played the song live with my band.   I heard a particular lead guitar riff during a live performance that caught my attention. I incorporated it as its own hook riff, which is now a key feature of the song, along with the spoken phrase ‘Close your eyes, you’re gonna sleep tonight,’ which weaves through that riff in the chorus.  I wanted to do a recording and video with my SoCal band.  ‘It’s Ok’ had changed enough that I felt it was an option, but I also had other possibilities. Because my heart and mind were with those suffering, ‘It’s Ok Special Edition’ was the only right choice.

Who directed the video and where was it shot?  

The live footage was shot over a few months by DeProduction in Southern California.  A live show at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, Orange County, Photos Cyclorama room in Orange, and the Talented Productions recording Studio in Los Angeles.  Mike Kundrath of Hip Video Promo took that footage and my vision and added the images, creating the video as you see it today.

How did you get started in music?

My biggest concern was to grow old and look back on my life with regret, having to live with the knowledge that I didn’t pursue something I was passionate about because of fear.

The only thing that captivated my interest was music.  I didn’t know how to sing or play an instrument, but I had to explore the emotions music inspired.  I decided to go home and learn to sing.  Soon after, I wrote my first song, ‘Addictions,’ by singing to a click track.  My friend, Jeff Mele, brought the music to life by playing and enlisting the help of his talented friends.  We recorded in our mutual friend Basil Hutchinson’s recording studio.  This sparked a passion for songwriting, which I believe is my true calling.

I taught myself to play guitar and started writing songs by singing into a tuner to figure out the chords.  I had no expectations for the future but had to follow that path to see where it led.  I believe if you do things for the right reasons to make good choices, you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be. Music has made my life much more interesting, for certain!

Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?

I’m moved by songs that tug on an emotion or that excite me with a driving energy. Early inspirations included singers/songwriters like Stevie Nicks and Alanis Morissette, who made interesting artistic choices and bravely bared their souls in their music.  Carol King’s courage in stepping out on her own as a solo performer also deeply inspired me.

I was influenced by their raw emotion and fierce self-belief.  They shared their pain and feelings with the world, whether through Alanis’ straightforward, no-nonsense approach or Stevie’s more mysterious and thought-provoking style.

What kind of guitar do you play?  

I brought my Ovation with me when I moved to Oahu a few years ago.  I play that when I perform solo.  When I play with my Hawaii band, I typically play my Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce, which really cuts through.  I just bought a Taylor Grand Auditorium, which I keep in California. I can’t wait to get back there to play it!

What is your definition of tone? And is your tone evolving?  

As a songwriter, I think of tone as a mood.  Lately, I’ve been in the beginning phase of evolving mine.  I mentioned earlier being excited by songs with a driving energy.  I’m feeling a strong pull to explore that side of my creativity and performance.  I believe this feels more attainable now, thanks to the talented musicians I have the honor of working with.  I’m pretty excited to see where this leads.

Do you use any special recording techniques in the studio?  

Truthfully, my special recording technique is to work with talented producers like Michael Heart, who produced most of my releases, and Michael Parlett, who produced ‘It’s Ok Special Edition.’  I provide the song and my thoughts as to musicality, and they bring it to life.

What can you share about your creative process? 

My creative process is a blend of letting my mind flow and woodshedding.  I typically begin by outlining the core message I want to convey, developing the song’s progression much like a movie storyboard. Then, I begin experimenting with lyrics and melodies.

If I’m lucky, I’ll have a melody already in mind. Lyrics are the easier part for me.

Quite often, a song morphs into something entirely different during this process.  I think the most important thing is to embrace the inevitable frustration that occurs.  Frustration is a sign of challenging yourself.  Have faith, I’ll work it out and continue moving forward.

While some songs come easier than others, most are quite challenging for me.  I’ve found the best outcomes occur when I stick with a single idea instead of dividing my time working on multiple song concepts.

Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?   

What I enjoy the most is hearing the finished recording.  It’s like an exhale.  So much work went into the process, start to finish, it’s a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.  Equally special is when someone is kind enough to tell me how one of my songs touched them.  It makes all the time, effort, and sacrifice worth it.

What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is doing the very best you can and finding contentment.  I believe personal relationships are more significant than fame or material wealth.  I see a successful person as someone who can reflect on their life and appreciate the blessings they’ve received, value the relationships they’ve nurtured, and know they’ve given their best.   If you can enjoy, appreciate, and make the most of your journey, that is success.

What’s next for Bryn Ryan-VanDyke?

I’m currently in ‘writing’ mode and exploring new creative options.  I started a Songwriter Open Mic with a good friend in Honolulu to give a platform for artists to perform, network, inspire, and be inspired.  I plan to produce some shows in Oahu venues.  I have awesome bands in both Southern California and Oahu.  I’m looking forward to performing more in both locations, as well as returning to Las Vegas.  Fun times ahead!

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