Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Camp.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out in the early 2000s with my hard rock/metal band Cynder. We were just a group of North Carolina kids making loud, passionate music and shooting homemade music videos with whatever we had — camcorders, cheap lights, and a lot of heart. Those videos along with our music actually helped get us noticed. We auditioned for MTV’s Battle for Ozzfest, and after months of waiting, we got the call that we’d made it onto the show. What followed was surreal — performing for Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, touring, and ultimately finishing second place in the competition. It was a wild ride that changed everything for us.
After the show, Cynder evolved into Curse Your Name. It was basically the same band, but since Geffen Records owned the rights to the name Cynder, we had to rebrand. We pushed forward under the new name and recorded our final album, Better Off Dead, before eventually parting ways and moving on to other creative paths.
For me, that next path was filmmaking. I started a YouTube channel called Camp Films, where I teach no-budget filmmaking and share everything I’ve learned over the years about telling stories with limited resources. That channel took off and connected me to an amazing community of creators, keeping my passion for storytelling alive — even while I wasn’t making music.
Now, after more than a decade away, I’m back with my new project, VEILEN. It’s a return to music, but with everything I’ve learned along the way poured into it. The sound blends acoustic and alternative rock with a dark, cinematic Western atmosphere — inspired by artists like Alice in Chains, Hozier, and haunting Americana. The first single, “The Cost,” dropped on September 30, and the next single, “The Shadow,” is coming soon. The full nine-track debut album, VEILEN – I, releases December 26, 2025.
This album is deeply personal — it explores love, loss, faith, and the search for meaning after everything else fades. In a way, VEILEN feels like the meeting point of everything I’ve done — the fire of Cynder, the lessons from Camp Films, and the heart I’ve carried through all of it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. Being in a band with four other guys is tough — it’s like a business marriage with too many people involved. Cynder was a brotherhood, but creative differences, life changes, and the pressures that come with chasing success can really test that bond. The rebranding after Battle for Ozzfest was especially hard. Losing the Cynder name — something we built from the ground up — felt like starting over, and it really killed the momentum we had coming off the show. I think that setback played a big part in why Curse Your Name eventually fizzled out.
After that, I stepped away from music for a long time. But now, with VEILEN, I finally feel free from all of that. I’m creating the music I want to make, on my own terms, without worrying about what anyone thinks. I’ve realized I have to create — whether it’s through film or music — because these stories in my head won’t leave me alone until I get them out. It’s not about chasing approval anymore; it’s about expression, healing, and doing what I love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart — whether it’s through a camera lens or a microphone. I started in music, which eventually led to our time on MTV’s Battle for Ozzfest. Those years taught me how to connect raw emotion to sound and visuals, and that’s something I’ve carried into everything I do. That experience is definitely the coolest thing I’ve ever done, and certainly what I’m most known and proud of.
These days, I divide my creative life between Camp Films and VEILEN. Through Camp Films, I teach no-budget filmmaking to thousands of creators online, showing that you don’t need Hollywood money to tell powerful stories. I love helping other people get their stories out there. And with VEILEN, I’ve returned to music — but it’s so much more personal that it’s ever been for me. I’m super proud of the music I’ve been able to put together for this record.
I think what sets me apart is that I approach music like a filmmaker. Every song starts with a visual — an atmosphere, a story, or a feeling I want to capture. I’m most proud of finding a way to bring both sides of my creative world together. The upcoming debut album feels like the culmination of all of it — the sound of someone who’s been through the chaos, found clarity, and is creating again purely out of love for the art itself.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Even though VEILEN is my solo project, it’s very much a collaborative effort. I wrote all the songs, but the album came together through the help of incredibly talented studio musicians from all over the world — and even a few of my old bandmates from Curse Your Name. Every player brought something unique that helped shape the sound and depth of the record. I will definitely be looking to work with more musicians in the future.
Outside of music, I also collaborate with local North Carolina actors and creatives on my film projects through Camp Films. I love working with passionate people — whether it’s on a short film, a music video, or a new song idea. Collaboration keeps the art alive.
Anyone who wants to work together or get involved can reach out to my management team at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ryancampfilms.com
- Instagram: @ryancampfilms @veilenmusicnc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanCampFilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RyanCampFilms and https://www.youtube.com/@VeilenMusic
