Meet the counselors of Dirtybird Campout East: Ryan Forever
Dirtybird Campout has grown past a simple gathering and into a phenomenon that has gained national interest. Claude VonStroke and his flock have created a truly unforgettable experience that harkens back to childhood memories while also offering an immersive transformational festival experience — complete with an endless supply of rage-worthy music. 2018 marks a milestone year, in which the Campout ventures eastward for its first time to enjoy a sunny jaunt in Florida amidst the winter months. Ahead of its East Coast debut, we assembled a batch of artist “counselors” from the roster and grilled them on camping memories, their careers, and more.
West coast Dirtybird Campout attendees witnessed the vehement ascension of Ryan Forever, born Ryan Farber, at last year’s Family Set. Farber threw on his highly-stylized cut “Nasty,” which oozes eccentric, 8-bit sampling and jungle-themed, galvanizing percussion and the crowd lost it. Truly an ambrosial encapsulation of the zany Dirtybird ethos, Farber went on to sign and officially release the track on Dirtybird — his first — and is now slated for a full set at February’s Dirtybird Campout East.
Despite being a recent addition to the Dirtybird nest, Farber’s involvement in the music scene runs deep. In his mid-twenties, the Philadelphia artist is already a celebrated photographer — known best for his raw story-telling of musicians, music festivals, and the club scene. With a website tagline that reads “simple pictures of complex humans,” it only makes sense that Farber holds the same complexity as his subjects. The same stripped-down view of humanity that’s seen in his images also seeps into his musical output.
DA was lucky enough to touch base with Farber ahead of his appearance at the first annual Dirtybird Campout East, where he’ll surely be capitalizing on his various modes of creativity. If his moniker hadn’t already served as some indication, it’s likely we’ll be seeing much more of Ryan Forever.
What has been your proudest career accomplishment thus far?
I feel like I’m just getting started to be honest. All my life I’ve been doing creative work for other people but now I’m trying to do me. So that’s a proud moment.
Where do you find the most inspiration to create new music?
I try to listen to a wide spectrum of music and eventually the memory of it all blends together into an amalgamation of rhythms and sounds which I regurgitate. Also I’m inspired by text, like words and quotes and stories.
Describe a defining moment/time that inspired you to keep going down the road of electronic musicianship?
Right now. I’m surrounded by a lot of driven people who all want it so badly, and that drives me harder. I’m not even sure what “it” is, but…you just keep going till your either dead, or ascended to a higher plane of existence
What essential camping items can you not live without?
Dr. Bronners soap cause you can also brush your teeth with it.
How would you survive if you were stranded in the woods for a week?
I am the judge for a lap dance competition.
What is your craziest camping memory?
Never been camping before!!
If you could recommend three artists to catch from the lineup, who would you pick?
Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, Pearson Sound
Join the camping fun and find out more about the lineup here