Exclusive Interview with CX2 Ryder

Artist Spotlight: CX2 Ryder

Pop-dance duo CX2 Ryder releases a dance anthem full of love, healing, and – ultimately – acceptance. Carving a place in the music industry for their impassioned dance hits, CX2 Ryder looks to create more than just music.

We sat down with CX2 Ryder to talk about their creative journey, inspirations, and what’s next.

MusicsWeek: Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics and melodies?

CX2 Ryder: Everyday conversations are our biggest goldmine for inspiration. When it comes to lyrics, our process is a real tag-team effort. "I’ll often write the first half of a song," says Ryder West, "and then CX2 will take what I’ve started, weave in his own perspective, and then we’ll sit down together to polish up the edges." As for melodies, those usually just flow naturally. We love today’s sound, but Ryder has a deep affection for music from before his time. He was raised on classics like Elvis Presley, Gene Pitney, and ABBA—a time when music had this pure, magical vibe. Our ultimate goal is to capture that same feeling: making music that brings a smile to your face and takes you somewhere special.

MusicsWeek: How do you handle writer’s block or creative slumps?

CX2 Ryder: Whenever we feel stuck, we turn back to our favorite records—listening to the songs we love never fails to spark that fire again. Music isn't just something we make; it’s something we feel, and it’s constantly all around us. Sometimes you just have to step back, listen, and let it wash over you until the inspiration finds its way back.

MusicsWeek: What comes first for you: the music or the lyrics?

CX2 Ryder: Usually, it’s the lyrics that take the lead—that’s where the journey begins for us. Once the story is down on paper, the musical landscape naturally rises up to meet it. Of course, every now and then a killer melody comes along first, which flips our entire process upside down, but that's part of the fun!

MusicsWeek: How do you know when a song is truly finished?

CX2 Ryder: Honestly? It’s all in the gut—and the ears. Ears never lie! Once we record a demo, we know almost instantly if it’s hitting the right emotional chord. If it isn't, we go back to the drawing board. We’ve completely re-recorded songs two or three times just to capture that exact magic. We don't stop until it feels right.

MusicsWeek: How do you decide on the theme or concept for an album?

CX2 Ryder: Concept records are such a blast—it really feels like writing a book. You pick your central theme, outline the chapters, and let those chapters become your song titles and stories. For our debut album, Connection,(2027) the concept came effortlessly because it’s our story. After nearly nine years together, we’ve built a collection of experiences that we know people will relate to. We always live by one rule: if you aren't moved by the music you're making, you can't expect anyone else to be. You have to believe in your art first.

MusicsWeek: Do you write music on the road or only in a dedicated space?

CX2 Ryder: Inspiration doesn't really care where we are! We’ve written songs in the shower, at the gym, and cruising down the highway. Whenever an idea hits, whoever isn't driving becomes the designated writer, scrambling to capture the lyrics or melody before it vanishes. Honestly, some of our absolute best tracks were born completely on the fly like that.

MusicsWeek: Have you ever had a dream to inspire a song or an album?

CX2 Ryder: All the time! We’re both incredibly vivid dreamers. CX2 has actually woken up with full melodies playing in his head, whereas Ryder usually gets hit with lyrics in those early morning hours right as he’s waking up. It’s like our subconscious is working overtime while we sleep.

MusicsWeek: How do you handle a song idea that doesn't fit into your current project?

CX2 Ryder: We write it anyway! No good idea gets left behind. We’ve built up a pretty deep vault at this point, and we trust that every song will eventually find the exact album home it belongs on when the time is right

MusicsWeek: Do you ever revisit old songs to rework or find inspiration?

CX2 Ryder: Absolutely! A great example is a track we wrote called "Feel Me Up." Lyrically, it came across a bit naughtier than what we were aiming for at the time, so we weren't sure if it was the right fit. We ended up setting it aside for a whole year. When we finally pulled it back out, we remixed the track, refreshed the lyrics, and it transformed completely. CX2, originally from Bogota Colombia, we both wanted to write a track with a reggaeton vibe that represents music from his culture. As this was uncharted territory for this midwestern guy, (Ryder) the track turned out to be one of the best songs we’ve ever made. We are excited to share it on the new album in 2027!