Ryan Biter returns to Levitt AMP series
By Steven Hughes
Sun Correspondent
The Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series is celebrating its 5th anniversary with its next lineup of 10 free, family-friendly performances throughout the summer season.
“We aim to feature a diverse range of genres, not just typical music commonly found in Gallup,” Michael Bulloch, executive director for the Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, said.
This year’s show features music from indie rock to R&B, and some Metal performances.
In tandem with the music series, the Sun will produce Q&As that give a glimpse of the minds of these performers.
THE JULY 4 PERFORMANCE
Ryan Biter, a soul musician from Flagstaff, Ariz., will return for the Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series July 4 at the Gallup Sports Complex. He said he loves the crowd and appreciates the Levitt Foundation’s work.
This performance will also be part of the city’s Fourth of July celebrations.
His upcoming Gallup performance comes after Biter participated in the first-ever Bandera Songwriters Festival in Bandera, Texas. Biter is a frequent traveling performer to Texas. He said he felt excited to start a potentially new legacy with Bandera’s festival honoring creatives like him.
Biter laughed when recalling that people will occasionally joke that he lives in Texas because he’s always traveling in the state for performances. He also recently performed as one of the many featured artists during the Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival, noting that it was his first time performing at the Corpus festival.
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Gallup Sun: What do you hope to achieve at your Gallup performance?
Biter: “This time’s a little different because normally I’m a solo performer. I’m bringing a trio, so me, a drummer, and a bass player. I think just getting the band out there and doing something a little new, and try to have an entertaining show for everyone. It’s nice what the Levitt Foundation does to bring music to small towns and areas that wouldn’t have access to it. It’s cool to be a part of that mission.”
Gallup Sun: What’s your goal as a musician?
Biter: “That’s a good question. The obvious one is to continue to feed myself and my family is always good. If I have a more lofty goal, then it’s to have what I got and grow and be able to share in more places, maybe not have to sleep in my car every so often, or have more of a fan base in certain places. To have gotten this far and make a living for years is a cool thing. It would be nice to continue to do that and write songs that move people.”
Gallup Sun: Why did you think you’d garner such a listenership?
Biter: “I don’t. I think it’s just that a lot of stuff has been word of mouth. My streaming numbers aren’t much to wave a stick at, but I’ve sold a lot of music over the years. I think it’s people being open to hearing new music and seeking it out through festivals of original music, who like singer-songwriter stuff. I think more hand-to-hand is how most of my music has been passed around. That’s where I find my listeners, it’s just going out and touring and playing shows. I’d say probably 90% of my audience is just formed from just playing a lot.”
Gallup Sun: When did you last learn something that improved your musicianship?
Biter: “I feel like it’s all the time. Whenever I see someone who’s good that I admire, I learn something that makes me better. Just a couple of months ago, I toured with a buddy of mine, Daniel Neha, who’s a fantastic singer-songwriter from Kentucky. I felt like I learned something from him in the way he does things. I’m always learning. I’m always open to learn. I’ve also been learning slide guitar in the last year or two. I’m always excited to learn something new when it comes to being a musician.”
Gallup Sun: What’s your next project?
Biter: “I’m starting to work on a new album in the next week or so. I’m going to do some pre-production and figure out what direction to take. I got a lot of songs I’ve been meaning to record, but it’s sort of a matter of figuring out which ones go together. I’m touring as much this summer as I normally would be. I want to take some time to do the album and hang out with my family and relax and not travel as much. I traveled a lot in the last year. I want to be home and maybe write new songs, redo some branding and promotion content would be good for me. When you’re touring all the time, it’s hard to do anything else.”
For more information about the incoming performance, email Bulloch at director@gallupmainstreet.org.
Follow Biter on Instagram at ryanbiter.
