Serene

During his teenage years, Ryan Beatty turned to songwriting as a way to examine his personal and spiritual notions. After finishing high school, he readied himself for enrollment at Grove City College in Pittsburgh while carrying a guitar. His first public appearance occurred at South by Southwest in 2001, where Arena Rock Recordings responded with an immediate contract offer. Although caught off guard, Beatty accepted the proposal. Working alongside drummer Jesse Sprinkle, the two experimented inside a studio in upstate New York and shaped the project that became Serene. Guitarist Matt Green and bassist Erik Gust lent support during the sessions, and Sydney Rentz supplied additional vocals. The lineup of Serene stabilized in 2002 with Beatty, Gust, Sprinkle, and Green, leading to the July release of their self-titled debut album.