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Ryan Karazija

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Ryan Karazija
Karaija in 2012
Background information
Birth nameRyan Joseph Karazija
Born(1982-03-19)March 19, 1982
Santa Clara, California, USA
DiedOctober 27, 2022(2022-10-27) (aged 40)
GenresPost-rock, electronica, indie rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
Years active2002–2022
Formerly of

Ryan Joseph Karazija (March 19, 1982 – October 27, 2022) was an American singer-songwriter best known as the founder and lead vocalist of the Icelandic post-rock/electronica project Low Roar, as well as fronting the Oakland-based indie band Audrye Sessions.

His music garnered international acclaim through its prominent inclusion in the 2019 Hideo Kojima video game Death Stranding. His compositions often featured melancholic themes, ambient textures, and introspective lyrics, making him a distinctive voice in modern indie and experimental music.

Early Life

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Ryan Karazija was born on March 19, 1982 to Belinda Karazija of Mexican decent and a father of Lithuanian decent.[1][2][3] At the age of 16, Karazija began playing the guitar and started learning music.[2] He grew up in San Jose, California and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School.[1] He developed an early interest in music and was drawn to alternative rock, folk, and ambient music. At age 18, Karazija dropped out of college while he was studying Psychology to pursue music and become a musician.

Career

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Audrye Sessions (2002-2010)

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Main article: Audrye Sessions

In 2002, Karazija formed the indie rock band Audrye Sessions, where he served as the lead vocalist and guitarist. Later, bassist Alicia Marie Campbell, drummer James Leste and guitarist Michael Knox joined the band. Karazija and Campbell entered a relationship, which eventually ended. The band gained some recognition in the Oakland music scene and released a self-titled album in 2009 through Black Seal, a subsidiary of RCA Records.[4] During that time, Karazija met producer Andrew Scheps, who he'd work closely with in the following years.

After a final performance in Oakland, the band disbanded in 2010, prompting Karazija to seek new creative avenues.

Low Roar (2011-2022)

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Main article: Low Roar

In 2010, Karazija relocated to Reykjavík, Iceland due to him marrying an Icelandic woman. He was drawn to Iceland’s stark landscapes and rich musical heritage, which significantly influenced his subsequent work. In 2011, he founded the musical project Low Roar as a deeply personal endeavor, crafting intimate and ethereal compositions that blended post-rock, electronica, and folk elements whilst recording in his kitchen.[5]

Initially a solo project, Low Roar's self-titled debut album was released in 2011.[6] The album was characterized by a stripped-down, melancholic sound that reflected Karazija’s experiences of isolation and adaptation to life in Iceland. Recorded with minimal production, the album received critical praise for its raw emotional depth and atmospheric soundscapes.

In 2014, Low Roar released 0, which featured a richer, more layered production, incorporating electronic beats, synthesizers, and intricate instrumentation.[7] The album signified an evolution in Karazija’s sound, moving beyond the minimalism of the debut and embracing a fuller sonic palette. Tracks such as "I'll Keep Coming" and "Easy Way Out" gained particular attention.

Beginning in 2016, Low Roar's music reached a global audience when several of their songs were prominently featured in the video game Death Stranding, developed by Kojima Productions and directed by Hideo Kojima. Kojima discovered Low Roar’s music in a record store in Reykjavík and felt it perfectly matched the tone of the game, using their songs in trailers advertising the game as well as for the soundtrack of the game itself.[8][9] The exposure introduced Low Roar to a broader audience and significantly boosted the project’s popularity. Don't Be So Serious, the opening track from their third studio album Once in a Long, Long While... (2017),[10] was featured as the opening track of the game, and tracks from their fourth studio album ross. (2019), which released on the same day as the game, we're also featured.[11]

Following the success of Death Stranding, Low Roar continued to release music expanding upon Karazija’s unique sound. The band's final album released during his lifetime, maybe tomorrow... (2021), showcased a continued evolution in musical composition, integrating complex production techniques while maintaining the signature ethereal quality of Low Roar.[12]

Death and Legacy

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On October 29, 2022, it was announced Karazija passed away at the age of 40 due to complications from pneumonia.[a][13] In response, Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima stated online, "without Ryan... Death Stranding would not have been born."[14] Despite his untimely death, his music continues to resonate with listeners, and his influence can be heard in contemporary indie and electronic music circles.

A posthumous album, House in the Woods, was released on February 7, 2025. The album, assembled from Karazija’s final recordings and unfinished works, serves as a final tribute to his artistic vision and legacy.[15] His work remains a significant contribution to indie and experimental music, with his emotionally charged compositions continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.

Discography

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With Audrye Sessions

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See also: Audrye Sessions § Discography
  • Audrye Sessions (2009), Black Seal

With Low Roar

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See also: Low Roar § Discography

Notes

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  1. ^ Some sources claim he passed away on October 29; however, in an Instagram post by Low Roar on November 11, 2023, his death date is listed as October 27.

References

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  1. ^ a b Pizarro, Sal (2022-03-26). "New Ballet director's San Jose high school memories inspire program". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
  2. ^ a b Greenberg, Jennifer (2019-05-27). "California Dreamer". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  3. ^ "Low Roar". Meze Audio. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
  4. ^ Johnson, Andy (2009-03-16). "Audrye Sessions – Audrye Sessions". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  5. ^ Svymbersky, Christopher (2012-11-02) "Ryan Moves to Iceland and Low Roar is Born Archived 2014-01-11 at the Wayback Machine", Iceland Airwaves Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-12
  6. ^ Olinger, Sandra B. (2011-11-08). "Low Roar – Self-Titled – Album Review". Grimy Goods. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  7. ^ Hancox, Edward (2014-08-13). "Low Roar's 0". Iceland Review. Archived from the original on 2018-09-25. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  8. ^ Maher, Cian (2019-11-11). "The sound of Death Stranding and how Hideo Kojima selects the music for his games". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  9. ^ Sliva, Marty (2020-06-04). "Death Stranding's Use of Music Is Some of the Most Powerful in Gaming". The Escapist. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  10. ^ Usinger, Mike (2017-04-12). "Low Roar's newest, Once in a Long, Long While, was born of challenging times". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  11. ^ Bromfield, Daniel (2019-12-02). "From Iceland to 'Death Stranding' with Bay-bred indie rocker Low Roar". 48 hills. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  12. ^ Morales, Diego (2021-07-19). "Today's Song: Low Roar Takes on a Journey to Outer & Inner Space with "Hummingbird"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  13. ^ King, Ashley (2022-10-31). "Low Roar Frontman Ryan Karazija Dies at 40 – Band Issues Statement". Digital Music News. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  14. ^ Vikki, Blake (2022-10-30). "Kojima pays tribute to the musician without whom "Death Stranding would not have been born"". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
  15. ^ Sunnyvale (2025-02-07). "Review: Low Roar - House in the Woods". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
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