Meet Ryan (Parallel) Parker | Rapper/Singer/Songwriter for Parallel Parker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan (Parallel) Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been a musician at heart. My family talks about when I was three years old, coming home from church I would be singing the songs and making up random nonsensical lyrics that my family still sings to this day. I was living in the Dakotas and wanted to play drums. My dad, Ron E. Parker, told me I should start on piano to get a solid understating of music, which at the time I didn’t like but now I am grateful I did. By age nine, I was performing in small churches for my dad who led worship and needed a consistent drummer. Learning percussion in school was tiring and boring because I had been playing the full set already for church. I quickly switched to trombone and started learning more about harmony and Jazz music. Jazz is the most creative musical language, through the improvisation and expression. I went to the University of North Texas to hone in on my skills, developed my ear and discovered my sound.
I released a couple Jazz albums with Urban Cabbage. We had some gigs set up, then Covid hit and our plans changed. From there, I started a Funk/Soul band with my family called The Parker Experience, it’s killing! Now, I’m more interested in leaving my own mark, so I shifted to a more modern genre, Rap/Hip-hop. I aim to fuse Jazz into that style like many other great artists. So if you hear Parallel Parker songs, expect there to be a lot of creativity and improvisation!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I really like thinking outside the box, especially with arranging and composing. I think that is pretty apparent when you listen to THE PARKER EXPERIENCE, my family’s band that features all my arrangements. Anytime that I can take a risk to shock people and grab their attention, I get reminded of my Jazz roots. During my training, my professors at UNT talked about how you have to TAKE RISKS in order to get better as a musician; otherwise you can get too comfortable and will become stagnant. When you take a risk and it pays off… you learn a valuable new skill that you can utilize the rest of your life. NOT TAKING RISKS can become a huge problem for students trying to gain more confidence and be a better player.

This is why I also like to add some jokes to my music to keep it light because I’m a jokester at heart. Loosening up the tension will help you be able to take risks with a more clear mind and allow you to play as fast as Clifford Brown, rhyme as fast as Busta Rhymes, or sing like Mariah Carey. Just ask SIMEON WILLIAMS from WILD DAYDREAM. We collaborate with each other on a lot of projects and shows. I think that he appreciates laughs and the extra hype from my end during his sets.

I AM NOT AFRAID TO MAKE A FOOL OF MYSELF!! That’s definitely another big thing that sets me apart from other artists, I’m a hype man for life! I will be giving it my everything on stage until the audience reciprocates that energy, and that fuels me up even more. I am praying that is what my fans feel when they hear my music – that I’ll be giving y’all my everything, joking around and taking risks that pay off. Nuff said!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start them off easy by hitting up the Square in Denton. The Chestnut Tree for lunch, Roosters for dinner, Beth Marie’s for some dessert and then just walk around for a while and hit up Eastside Bar for a night cap. The Square’s a fun spot to hang.

Then, I’d have to take them down to Lewisville/Carrollton to the Asian markets. Get some Korean BBQ at Manna, Sushi at Kura, and go through H-Mart get some fresh seafood to cook at home.

After that we’d need to hit up Dallas because that’s really where it’s at! In Little Elm, the Freedman’s a dope spot; Bishop Arts District, you got Revelers Hall, that’s always bangin’; The Fine Arts District, the Meyerson, where my girl FRANCESCA CACAL sings with the DSO; Oak Lawn, the Gayborhood because that’s where the party’s at!

There’s a ton of other great spots in the area, too. If you looking to get a bit more western you can check out Ft. Worth and go to the rodeo. You can drive past all the big mansions in North Dallas to get motivated. Arlington, Plano, and my crew’s places they got pools and recording equipment and that good good!

It’s hard to sum up this place in one week because I’ve been hear for 12 years and still get surprised all the time like “THEY HAVE THAT HERE, TOO?” Dallas is a blast!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has been an incredible source of support. My pops, Ron E. Parker, gave me a place to shine from very early on, playing drums for him. My mom, Heather, is my best role model because there is no that works and cares as hard a she does. My brother, Josh, lives in Texas near me and we jam and perform together all the time. My sister, Al, provides a unique perspective on being self-employed and successful since they live in New York City. Finally, my fiancée, Francesca Cacal, we have a great relationship, through clear communication and being able to express ourselves through music. She sings with me on all my Parallel Parker gigs. I would also like to thank my professors at the University of North Texas. Tony Baker, José Aponte, Steve Wiest, Jan Kagarice, Rodney Booth and Tanya Darby all helped my find my sound and taught me how to be a better performer.
These guys helped keep me in shape better then I ever could on my own along with so many other awesome musicians that I call my friends and family. Music is an amazing way to connect with others no matter where you’re from and that’s PARALLEL2NONE! Don’t forget to like and follow PARALLEL PARKER while you’re listening to “PRODUCING CRAP” and “OUTER SPACE” live now on all streaming services. Thanks y’all, peace out!!

Website: https://open.spotify.com/track/72w8cWN4ABY4ubFdBsU63H?si=JsTDVN-XQliJ8WwXiGg15Q

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanparallelparker?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090946857830&mibextid=9R9pXO

Youtube: https://youtu.be/uMt4vKBVur0?si=iQElJiAo9ztzl3sP

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DqEFrOODFcXzoc9A00IL8?si=PtT7k7ZcTrqU7pGBh98gsA