The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here… RYDYR‘s new single has officially dropped!
Titled “Dream Alone,” the song is bold and bright filled with live instrumentation and unfiltered lyrics. It’s about an internal dialogue with the latest version of himself, showcasing fluttering harmonies and vocals that stretch from vulnerable verses into a hummable hook, “I dream alone,” and will be featured on his upcoming EP that’s dropping later this year.
“’Dream Alone’ can be interpreted a few different ways. I think that’s one of the best parts about it. It can fit with whatever it is in your life that you’re struggling with, wanting to let go of, or find,” RYDR says. “We wanted to convey the story and the feeling of a time in my life when I felt lost and disconnected from my full sense of self, and the journey to find what that all even meant.”
“Sometimes it’s scary to feel lost, but it can also be freeing at the same time. This song is like a call of the voice inside you to push through whatever obstacles are in the way on your journey. I think it’s especially important given the times we are currently in, and I hope it resonates with people.”
You may remember RYDYR as Cole Pendery from the urban pop boy band IM5. The budding musician, who is now in his 20s, has grown immensely and now releases his work under the new moniker. RYDYR is Cole’s protection, mantra, superhero, and guiding light and took shape reflecting a vision hinted at by the chosen moniker-a respelling of his mother’s maiden name “Ryder.“
He ultimately settled on the palindrome “RYDYR,” meaning you can spell it the same way forward and backward and represents how he is the same inside and out. Striving to give listeners his truth through art and meaningful music, the name symbolizes being transparent to the process and embodies truth but also provides him a vehicle to step out of himself.
Keep scrolling to read our full Q&A with RYDR about “Dream Alone” and more, and let us know what you think “Dream Alone” by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
Celeb Secrets: How does it feel to finally release your new single and video for “Dream Alone?”
RYDYR: “It feels amazing to finally be giving this song to the world. I made the song over a year ago and it’s a very special one.”
CS: What was your inspiration for the “Dream Alone” music video?
RYDYR: “The video was simply inspired by the song, which in turn was inspired by a time in my life where I just felt very lost. It’s hard to know which voices in your head to listen to in those times. I feel like it was a great visual representation of that feeling. Sometimes you need to save yourself.”
CS: What do you hope listeners take away from “Dream Alone?”
RYDYR: “I hope it lets them find their way a bit if they are too in a time of confusion or feel stuck. Or if they connect the song to a separate person they wish was out of their life. That’s another way this song could be interpreted. I know these times are crazy, so I really hope it resonates.”
CS: How are you keeping busy during your quarantine?
RYDYR: “I’m keeping busy by staying active. Working out at the house and cooking a lot, I’ve been writing and creating… Also I’m just taking this time to be with my family, talk and connect more than we get to during the normal fast-paced world. Finding the positives!”
CS: Being that we’re Celeb Secrets, what is one secret someone may not know about RYDYR?
RYDYR: “Hmmmmm a secret about me… some people might not know, before I came to LA I was living in Texas thinking I would become a pro soccer player. I played for 10+ years and loved it. While I still do miss the game, I know what I’m doing now is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
