Studio Visit with St. Louis Songwriter Ryan Marquez
By Elizabeth Snell
Just east of St. Louis, across the Mississippi River, there is a peaceful room filled with curved wooden walls ready to receive harmonies and vibrations. It’s here, at Lonnie’s Farm Recording Studio, that we find Ryan Marquez sitting at the keys of a grand piano.
Songwriter, producer, musician, and M-AAA Artist INC fellow, Ryan shared his time in this recording space with us and answered some questions about his creative life, his inspiration, and his take on the mystical and magical parts of music.
As he says, music “feels like a portal to truths that words alone cannot fully express.”
Learn more about him in the interview below.
Thank you for talking with us, Ryan. Tell us, how did you get started in your art practice?
Ryan: My parents say I was drawn to music from the moment I first heard it, and as soon as I could talk, I persistently begged to play the piano until I began lessons at age 5.
Growing up in Kansas City, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the historic 18th and Vine jazz district, where I was mentored by some of the city’s finest jazz musicians. I was surrounded by music, playing gospel in church, joining blues jams, and performing in school jazz bands. Legends like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, BB King, The Temptations, Elvis, The Supremes, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis, and Buddy Guy became some of my greatest teachers.
When I moved to St. Louis, my artistic journey continued to evolve as I immersed myself in the city’s vibrant jazz, funk, hip-hop, and pop scenes. My art practice is rooted in a deep respect for the rich traditions of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, a love for innovation, and a passion for creating music that resonates with people on a soul-deep level while exploring the universal questions that unite us all.
From an early age, I’ve been deeply curious about life’s big questions—spirituality, reality, and the mysteries of existence. Music has always held a magical and mystical energy for me. Through music, I’ve found a way to connect with the deeper layers of reality, uncovering insights into spirituality, metaphysics, and philosophy. Each note, chord, and melody feels like a portal to truths that words alone cannot fully express.
Why do you make music?
Ryan: Sound is the very foundation of existence—the building block of reality itself. Whether you believe in the scientific concept of the universe beginning with a bang or in creation stories where a divine force spoke the world into existence, sound is at the heart of it all. Even quantum physics describes our multidimensional reality as a vibrating drum resonating within the fabric of 4D space.
In a world often divided, it may very well be our greatest hope for universal harmony.
Through music, I’ve had the privilege of exploring different cultures, time periods, and traditions, each revealing something profound about humanity. I believe music has the power to guide us through life’s complexities. It uniquely helps us process our shared experiences, no matter how different our individual perspectives may be. Music is a healing force, and I’ve always been drawn to its ability to nurture the spirit—within myself, in others, and even in the supernatural world.
Why do the arts matter to you? to your community?
Ryan: I’m from Missouri, a land imbued with profound spiritual energy where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers converge. This confluence holds a magical essence that the ancient Mississippians and Cahokians deeply understood. They gathered here, creating the largest Indigenous city in North America—an oasis of culture, spirituality, and community. Tragically, the land later suffered through genocide and desecration, leaving behind a lingering dark energy. Yet, just as fungi decompose and heal the earth, the land now calls for restoration.
Out of this historical trauma, a new generation of artists is rising—spiritually and creatively charged individuals from every discipline, answering the call to restore sacredness to these lands. Missouri has long been a birthplace for artists who have not only shaped music history but redefined it—legends like Chuck Berry, Charlie Parker, Josephine Baker, Clark Terry, Pat Metheny, Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner, and Nelly.
These artists didn’t just change the narrative; they created entire movements that have resonated globally. I choose to be a part of this ancestry.
How did Artist INC change the way you approach your practice?
Ryan: Artist INC has had a profound impact on how I approach my artistic practice. It pushed me to critically examine the essentials of my portfolio. I now feel 100% confident using it in professional environments with art professionals, organizations, and private donors.
The ability to communicate my artistic vision in a language that resonates with different stakeholders has opened numerous doors for me. Through Artist INC, I was able to take a hard, honest look at my approach, gaining clarity and insight into my own practice. This experience has expanded my network beyond just the music community, allowing me to forge lasting friendships and build alliances across the entire arts landscape in Missouri.
What are you most excited about for the future of your practice?
Ryan: I’m continuously evolving and finding new ways to merge my diverse influences, from jazz and hip-hop to soul and pop, into a cohesive and impactful sound. The possibilities for collaboration and growth are endless.
One of the things that excites me the most is my focus on connecting the music infrastructure between St. Louis and Kansas City. Beyond that, I’m diving deeper into music advocacy at the state capital. Through my work with the Recording Academy, I’m actively establishing relationships with Missouri legislators, aiming to create policies that will positively impact our local music community.
I’ve also been actively planting seeds in LA and Memphis where I’ve been able to build connections and explore new opportunities. As those relationships continue to grow, my ultimate goal is to cross-pollinate Missouri’s music industry with LA and the broader music industry at large.
How can the community support you?
Ryan: Each time someone listens to, shares, or engages with my music, it helps to amplify the message I’m putting out and build momentum for the cultural revolution we’re creating in Missouri.
Another powerful way the community can support me is by helping advocate for policies that benefit the music and arts industries in Missouri. Engaging with local legislators and pushing for initiatives that foster the growth of our music community can make a huge impact.
Additionally, financial support, whether through purchasing music, attending events, or contributing to projects, helps me invest in new opportunities, expand my craft, and support other artists.
Finally, I’m grateful for the network of friends, collaborators, and allies who continue to offer their time, ideas, and resources. In a world where collective action and mutual support are more important than ever, the community’s involvement is key to bringing this movement forward and ensuring that the sacred energy of Missouri’s music legacy continues to shine.
Beyond my musical endeavors, I am deeply committed to the growth and development of the Missouri arts community. I actively collaborate with key arts organizations, striving to elevate and connect the region’s creative talents. I have had the privilege of participating in the Artist in Residency program with the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, receiving grant support from the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, and being recognized as a Missouri Touring Performer by the Missouri Arts Council. In addition to these efforts, I lend my expertise to organizations like The Recording Academy, Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts, HEAL Center for the Arts, and Jazz St. Louis. Through these collaborations, I am working to bridge the artistic ecosystems of St. Louis and Kansas City, helping create a more unified and thriving cultural landscape in Missouri.
Join the Artist INC Fellows & Support Their Work
Applications for Artist INC Kansas City are open April 14 to June 9, 2025. Applications for Artist INC St. Louis are open May 19 to June, 2025. Artist INC Express, a free weekend workshop, is available in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, June 7–8, 2025.
Learn more about these upcoming programs as well as more Artist INC programs across the region at maaa.org/artistinc.
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Ryan Marquez photography by Amanda Julia Steinback.