Indie singer-songwriter ryan john clary pours his heart into his latest double single, The First Sip, featuring the tracks “(there’s too many songs called) One More Time” and “Silly Billy.” The release captures two sides of the same emotional coin, reckoning with the scars of addiction and the quiet ache of artistic perseverance. Together, these songs mark a deeply personal chapter in clary’s journey through recovery, self-doubt, and rediscovery.
Written and produced entirely in his home studio, The First Sip showcases clary’s raw vulnerability and unfiltered honesty. On “(there’s too many songs called) One More Time,” he delves into his battle with addiction, reflecting on the cycles of relapse and the heartbreak of losing friends to the same struggle. Yet, despite its heavy themes, the track brims with energy and optimism, blending breezy guitars, warm production, and a sun-soaked rhythm that contrasts its lyrical weight. It’s a song that feels like a confession wrapped in a smile, capturing clary’s ability to find beauty in pain.
The companion track, “Silly Billy,” strikes a different emotional chord. With self-effacing candor, clary examines his doubts about longevity and purpose as an artist. “‘Silly Billy’ is me expressing how it feels to still be chasing a dream you’ve been chasing since you were a kid,” he shares. The line, “Is it a waste of time, should I have made it?” cuts to the bone for anyone who’s wrestled with unrealized dreams. It’s a song about the quiet, daily heartbreak of continuing to believe, even when belief gets heavy.
A Belmont, MA–born indie-rock artist, clary has built a career defined by resilience and introspection. Known for his gentle, emotive delivery, often compared to Elliott Smith, he crafts music that feels both intimate and cinematic. His early musical influences range from Eminem and Dr. Dre to RHCP and Guns N’ Roses, reflecting the blend of rhythm, grit, and melody that underpins his songwriting. Over the years, clary has opened for acts like Owel, Carissa Johnson, and The Family Crest, earning nods from EARMILK and CLASH Magazine for his authenticity and artistry.
After confronting addiction and agoraphobia, clary turned his pain into purpose, producing projects like LIFE, LOVE & YOU (2024) and bandit (2025), each peeling back another layer of his personal evolution. His forthcoming project, Sunflower Lemonaide, promises to continue that theme, transforming hardship into something tender, hopeful, and human.
With The First Sip, ryan john clary invites listeners into his ongoing story, one defined not by defeat, but by survival and the courage to keep creating. The double single is both an introspective mirror and a reminder that recovery, like music, starts with one small, honest step forward. Stream “(there’s too many songs called) One More Time” and “Silly Billy” now on your favorite platform, follow @ryanjohnclary on Instagram, and visit ryanjohnclary.com for updates and upcoming releases.