GLASGOW’S RYAN BROWN TALKS NEW SINGLE, CHASING DREAMS AND LEWIS CAPALDI

INTERVIEW | RYAN BROWN by Anne Kelly

Glasgow’s own Ryan Brown is proving that raw honesty is the ultimate pop hook. At 23, the independent singer-songwriter has already conquered the legendary King Tut’s and built a massive digital following by blending Bieber-esque melodies with Capaldi-style vulnerability. Ahead of his show at The Classic Grand, we sat down with Ryan to talk about his hit single ‘Part of Me’ and the grit it takes to go solo in 2026

First of all, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m Ryan Brown, a 23-year-old pop singer-songwriter from Glasgow, blending heartfelt lyrics with captivating melodies. Inspired by artists like Justin Bieber and Lewis Capaldi, the music I create is one that resonates on a personal level, aiming to connect with listeners in their own unique way.

As an independent artist, I’m driven by a passion for sharing authentic stories and creating songs people can relate to, no matter where they are in life. From the streets of Glasgow to the global stage, I’m working tirelessly to turn dreams into reality, one song at a time.

Your latest single, ‘Part Of Me’ has been really well received by your fans, what can you tell us about this song? What was the inspiration behind it?

My most recent single, ‘Part of Me’, is about the grief that comes from having someone you love not show up for you throughout life, and longing for them to see the part of you they’ve missed. It’s deeply personal to me, and I like to leave space for listeners to interpret it in their own way. The song could be about any relationship, a friend, parent, or lover.

Reflecting on your songwriting process, how do you manage to take these deeply personal, vulnerable moments and package it into a pop song?

The songwriting process is different for every song. Sometimes I get a melody in my head and record it in my phone, that’s what happened with ‘Energy’. I then build around it with instruments. For ‘Part of Me’, I picked up the guitar and started singing whatever came to me. The chorus came first, and I feel that’s the most important part of a pop ballad. I knew straight away it was my favourite yet.

I find it easiest to write about my emotions, and because I write ballads, I naturally gravitate towards sad lyrics. I think sad songs are good for the soul and help people heal. Writing them is like therapy for me.

Is there a specific piece of wisdom that helped you find your voice as a writer?

I wouldn’t say there’s one specific piece of wisdom that helped me find my voice, but Lewis Capaldi has played a huge role in my development. I connect deeply with his lyrics and style, and it’s helped me find my feet. While I’m my own artist, I definitely take inspiration from him.

What has been the hardest thing about being a solo artist?

The hardest part of being a solo artist is the management side. I’m my own manager and don’t have a team or band, so everything is done by me, songwriting, marketing, merch, and gigs. It can be exhausting, but it’s also really rewarding because it gives me creative freedom.

Every Scottish artist dreams of playing King Tut’s. Having performed there, what was that experience like?

King Tut’s was an absolute dream. I used to watch other independent artists my age play there and always looked up to them. This time last year, I’d never even seen the stage in real life. Now I’ve played it three times in ten months, which is mental. I’m so grateful to Meg at DF for the support and opportunity, and I really hope to be back soon.

You have a strong growing presence online. How do you strike a balance between being a “content creator” for the algorithms and being a songwriter who just wants to focus on the music?

I’ve built my social media over the last five or six years, but in the past year I’ve taken promotion much more seriously, and it’s really helped grow my audience. TikTok has been massive for me. It lets artists showcase their work without labels, which is amazing. It’s hard work, though, you’re a content creator as well as a songwriter, but I enjoy it and it’s opened so many doors.

What can fans expect from you show at Glasgow’s Classic Grand on Friday?

At The Classic Grand on February 13th, fans can expect a stripped-back acoustic set , chill vibes and sad songs.

In terms of what 2026 holds, what can fans expect from your upcoming releases? Are you experimenting with any new sounds or genres? What else do you have planned?

2026 is already looking busy with gigs across Glasgow. I’m hoping to secure festival and UK shows to expand my network, and I’ve got lots of new music coming throughout the year.

Finally, if you could chose 3 dream headliners for a festival, who are you having on the bill?

Obviously, I’d have to say Ryan Brown! 😄

But I’d also love to see Olivia Dean, Justin Bieber, and Lola Young.

Ryan Brown will perform at Glasgow’s Classic Grand this Friday 13th February alongside Jasmin Jet, Ben Lauder, Gambit and Annie & The Jays. Last remaining tickets are on sale now