Don Ryan
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Don Ryan

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"One Folked Up Experience in Tangle Town"

I have had this song stuck in my head for a week.

Seriously, I wake up singing it.

This Town, by Don Ryan.

I got an e-mail a few weeks back from this gentleman. He sent me this video. I opened it up, gave it a good listen, and it has been stuck in my head ever since. I have posted it on Facebook. I have e-mailed it to friends. It's been blasted in my car speakers. I have said it before, it takes a lot to knock my socks off, especially musically. I am not easily impressed, and I see through the glitz and polish quite easily. But this...this is the real thing. Don Ryan is different. This is real music. This is real good music.

I downloaded the whole album, Tangle Town, after giving this video a few good spins in my headphones. Usually when it comes down to needing to review music, I find the best possible method for me is to listen to it in my car. I spend a lot of time in my car. I am a commuter. A hardened, foul-mouthed North Jersey highway commuter. We are our own breed. If not for music, I would probably have had a Michael Douglas Falling Down moment a long time ago. That being said, music for me is best absorbed through the ears and into the brain (and soul) in the car. Onto my thumb drive went Mr. Ryan, and into my Kia went the thumb drive.

I have been bouncing this music around in my speakers now for a couple weeks, and the first time I listened to it, I actually went into work late because the song Living Avenue was not done playing, and I could not turn it off. Imagine the folk sounds of a later Jim Croce having a love child with the deep soul of Jeff Buckley, and you are still not even close. It's gorgeous and deep. Full and thick with something I can't seem to touch, but I can still feel. I fell in love with this song immediately. It's a gentle mix of simple guitar and vocals with these low vocal backgrounds. Drums come in, background noise comes in, it all fills out and takes you somewhere else entirely. And singable. Sing along with it.

A Mouse in God's County is another favorite of mine on this album. It has a flavor like that of This Town, but a little more fevered and with great lyrics and intensity. Somewhere between the songs on this album, you feel transferred somewhere else entirely. It's like being sucked into some strange dust bowl depression era carnival with this man as your guide...your only link back to the modern world. And he seems to straddle that line with a sly smirk on his face the whole time. It's a great trip. I can't seem to get it out of my car speakers, my computer headphones, or my head in general. When I like something, I listen to it to death. I am killing this album as we speak.

Now take the song Maybe You Were Right. A strange journey into an almost hallucinogenic ride at some distorted county fair. But it's beautiful. Don Ryan has a way of singing over all the strings that keeps it normal even when it seems headed in that trippy Beatles-after-Dylan-showed-them-weed direction. It's really amazing what he does with the layers of sound on this album. Every time you listen, you will notice something you didn't hear before. It's dark, but it's truthful and beautiful.

Don Ryan mixes it all up. He takes older styles of music, various instruments, and basic folk sounds and threads them all together into this great sound. There is so much variation between the songs as well. Little bits and blurbs. Then the song will start, and just take you away. It's not straight folk all the way through, though you can hear and taste that in On Our Way Home and Down and Out...which has amazing lyrics. It's not straight tripped-out carnival music, though you will get that feel all the way through the album in small doses and surprises mid-song. It's got that noir-pop flavor mixed in.

There is a taste of Buckley. A taste of Waits. But this is all Don Ryan. A strange trip to another time and place. Beautiful and haunted. Driving along with this in my speakers, I find myself watching the world go buy with different eyes. I can't wait to catch him live and feel the vibe in the room. Well done, Mr. Ryan.
- A Perfect Mess


"Introducing Don Ryan"

The debut album“Tangle Town” by Don Ryan begins with a sampling of crackling records from perhaps some long ago Tin Pan Alley recording, then shoots into the raucous “This Town”. Specializing in a heady gumbo of experimental Alt-Folk with psychedelic leanings, Ryan conjures a world that has become a sort of deranged, dark circus. Ryan proclaims “this town is burning down” to the tune of handclaps and chimes giving the statement more of a celebratory feel than a calamity. There is a definite Brechtian air to this fine album opener.

However, what stands out most in this album is a wide array of styles and experimentation. Just when it seems to be going down the Dresden Dolls Brechtian Punk alley, the mode shifts to lovelorn balladry in the vein of Elliott Smith, or Elephant 6 artists such as Olivia Tremor Control all the way to Tom Waits and at times Jeff Magnum. Even though some tracks tend to sound incongruous beside one another, there is a fine thread of cohesiveness and emotional scope that runs through the album as a whole.

Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Ryan is joined by Joe Vernazza on drums, and Rich Haddad on bass. It’s obvious that Ryan is at the start of his career and is still nailing down and playing around with his sound. The rawness of his musical offerings make this clear, and to me, that is exciting. Just when a folky ballad comes to a close, a spastic Depression-era sounding cartoon character voice will burst out.

It’s a long album and is very much on the order of a really fantastic mix-tape featuring one versatile artist with a wide array of influences and styles he is playing around with like a kid in a candy shop. I don’t like it when artists play it safe or are going for one very obvious idea and image, and while it could be argued that that is exactly what Ryan is doing, to me it is all but the opposite. He’s not afraid of venturing down weird, dark alleys and playing with the strange bits and bobs he happens upon.
- Listen Before You Buy


"Don Ryan Artist Spotlight"

Remember the feeling you had back in high school every time you saw Johnny Football Hero/Teacher's Pet/Mr. Perfect walking down the hall with the homecoming queen on his arm. That sense of utter contempt you felt for this guy... with the good looks....born on third base...beloved by everyone... the toast of the town... who basically got credit in life for just showing up. Come on... y'know the guy... that walking cliche in every high school in America...yadda yadda. Now... fast forward and try and recall the sense of sheer unadulterated joy you had tingling through your whole body...when years later, you found out through utter happenstance that Johnny Football hero hit the skids. His life took a total nose dive after the glory days where he always came out on top. The weight gain, the hair loss, the divorce, the drug habit, the prison stint, the dabbling with dudes... and most of all... the fact that he became a gym teacher...excuse me... I mean Physical Education Instructor... at that very same high school he once ruled.
Now... take this sense of joy, multiply it by 6000 then divide it by the square route of all the times you gave him the middle finger behind his back and you will start to understand what it is like watching Don Ryan play live.

Don is one of the funniest guys you will ever meet. In person, he is kind of like a glow-in-the-dark Jesus action figure. You see it... you chuckle and you move on. Don is happy just to be alive. He's the eternal underdog with a demeanor that can easily be overlooked. He is also a seeker and this is revealed within the language of his songs.
Insightful and catchy tunes such as "This Town Is Burning Down" and "Down and Out" which features the telling lyric: "As open as your heart is, so too must your eyes be" offers a glimpse into the mind of a songwriter who spends a good deal of his time absorbing experiences and processing them at a very deep level.

Musically he is a hodge podge of many American forms. Like a sonic cross between Hollywood's Golden Age and a backwoods moonshine still. His sound is a throwback to an earlier, simpler time and his live performances are an exercise in fretboard mastery. Ryan commands his guitar with such an ease and nonchalance that it is easy to miss just how clever and crafty his songwriting chops are.
His rapport with his audience demonstrates his strong comfort level in front of people and his engaging personality wins over many a skeptic.





All this being said... Don hails from New Jersey... so his inherent sarcasm, indicative of the natives of that fine land, is as prevalent as a bench warrant in the ghetto. He's a total wise-ass. But a loveable wise-ass nonetheless.


To paraphrase Mr. Dylan... Don Ryan is "far behind his rightful time". But I assure you ladies and gentlemen... he will get where he is going. - JimmyLloyd.com


"Tangle Town Review"

Tangle Town, the album, is conceived of as a performance at a music hall in a fictional world, with slightly different natural laws than we are used to. It is a studio album, but there is a brief moment of “audience noise”, followed by an “encore” to close the album. The music makes reference to folk, country, and blues, but Ryan never lets us quite hear what we expect. The song Tangle Town starts off sounding like folk, but halfway through the band comes in, and we are suddenly in a woozy version of country. Similar things happen in other songs on the album. None of this is for show. Allow this music to take you where it will, and you will find the album to be a rich emotional experience. You will also find Ryan to be an artist of rare originality. - Oliver di Place


"Interview with Don Ryan"

So I got this pitch from New York singer-songwriter Don Ryan who did his homework and read in a recent post that singer-songwriters are my least favorite genre. He said they were his least favorite also, which is the ultimate irony.

I checked out his new single, “This Town,” like it and sent him some interview questions. Good stuff here….

So you’re a singer-songwriter from NYC, but who are you, Don?

Wow, we’re digging pretty deep right off the bat in this thing, huh? Haha! I’d guess I’d have to say I’m just a small town girl living in a lonely world.

Uh-huh. So beyond Journey, who are your influences?

My influences are kind of a jumbled, tangled up mass of things I’ve heard. I’m relatively schizophonic, so one minute I might be listening to something fairly evident in my own sound, like Elliott Smith or Wilco. But the next minute I might throw on a Carcass record or Mozart or something. The funny thing about it is that it always feels like such a seamless mood shift to me. It sometimes bugs people out, but shifting gears like that never feels contrived to me. It’s still rock n’ roll to me. Jesus Christ! I’ve now quoted Journey and Billy Joel in one interview. Goddammit.

What do you write about? What inspires you? Why?

I’d say the most artistically inspirational day of my life came a few years back. I was in the throes of a vile whore of a depression and just sort of lost at an artistic crossroads when I took a trip down to the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida (as an aside, the fact that they used that sunny tourist trap of a town to build a shrine to such dark, trippy art is almost as strange as Dali’s work itself). But anyway, as I was standing there beholding this dude’s immense genius, I couldn’t help but overhear some snake oil salesman of a tour guide ‘explaining’ Dali’s paintings to all these khaki-clad tourists. I was so taken with the hilarity of watching these folks feign epiphany ‘eureka’ moments, declaring how much they ‘get it now!’ that I realized I had just found myself a new muse. I was never going to make it easy for people anymore. I was never going to spell it out for anyone anymore. And I still get that same old kick out of the fools who declare that they ‘get it’ when they hear my lyrics.

What’s the backstory on “This Town”?

“This Town” was actually a really interesting one to write, in that it came together so quickly and naturally. I was on the phone with my best friend/bandmate at the time, just having a seemingly run-of-the-mill conversation. At the time, our friendship and band was falling to pieces and our conversations would often veer off into the realm of strange trippiness and this one was no different. As we were speaking, I began writing down anything that came out of my mouth that sounded like it could be lyrically interesting, making sure to not include any of my friend’s words because, as I say, our friendship was falling apart and the last thing I wanted to do was plagiarize this dude at a time when things were getting pretty brutal between us. When I hung up the phone, I looked down and realized that the vast majority of the lyrics of “This Town” had just been written. I grabbed my guitar and played some chords I had been working on that morning and just sang the first line written on the page, “This town is burning down.” And right then I knew I had a song.

The music video for the single has what I’ll call a “nostalgic warehouse” vibe. What’s the story line?

Right on! That’s exactly what we were going for with that video! The whole video came just as naturally as the song itself, actually. For some time, I’ve been obsessed with 1930s music, especially Billie Holiday, Glenn Miller, and Artie Shaw. So when the song “This Town” was written, that influence had naturally seeped in there and intertwined with some other prior obsessions, like 1960s psychedelia. Mash all that up on some Pro Tools rig and I guess I became the newest card-carrying member of the newfangled digital nostalgia movement!

And as luck would have it, the warehouse that we rented out for the video just so happened to have a shit-ton of 1930s memorabilia and a car from that era just laying around, so it completely fit aesthetically. Just an eerie coincidence, I guess.

What was recording the video like?

The video was a great excuse to get really high and watch my friends make complete assholes of themselves on camera. The times were good and the booze was better! Haha!

But despite my relative stupor, my friends Tanya Donatelli (Director) and Vadim Putimstev (DP) maintained an incredible professionalism and put together something really cool, especially despite absolutely no budget. It’s definitely one of my proudest artistic moments thus far.

What’s next for Don Ryan?

Some Chinese food in my fridge. Aside from that, on a more long-term level, hmm… maybe rehab?
- Perfect Porridge


"Live Unsigned on Don Ryan"

Americana serves as source material for these inventive and adventurous explorations: Don Ryan takes his musical materials and wrenches them into the shape that best expresses his intentions, with scant regard for precedent or convention. Witty, disturbing lyrics and abrupt arrangements keep you paying attention, while a real understanding and respect for his stylistic sources keeps you entertained. Excellent stuff. - Live Unsigned


"Kings of A&R Pick"

Singer-songwriter Don Ryan will release a new album next week that will bring you into the realm of The Civil Wars and Elliot Smith. His video for the track This Town won the Deli Magazine/IndieMusic video contest and was featured at the Deli Magazine CMJ showcase this past week. - Kings of A&R


"Artist to Watch"

From the opening moments of “This Town” I was convinced that I’ve stumbled upon the next artist ready to carry the torch of Tom Waits to a new generation of music listeners not yet too jaded to appreciate the touch of sinister imagery he brings to bear. With an eye for pop hooks to match someone like Duke Special, who has made his name with similar cabaret-pop experimentation in Belfast, Don Ryan knows he has to win listeners from the very first moments … which makes “This Town” even more impressive, since the smothering sense of doom is present instantly, yet manages to build as the song progresses. “This town is burning down,” he sings, his vocals providing hits of desperate hope even as all the music around him floats like flotsam upon the oily black bilge water below.

In other words, this is music for those of us who like our pop music with enough edge to make it worthwhile. And you can trust me on this or rely on the video below, but what Don Ryan brings to the table here is nothing short of deliciously twisted.
- Hear, Hear! Music


"Ear to the Ground's "Band of the Week""

If you keep your ear to the ground, eventually, a pleasant rumble offers up a warning of great things to come....

Don Ryan is the real deal.... the music is dark and jangly and he has a great voice. The lyrics are complex and at times humorous. This is a brand new take on old music, and this young man from the New York/New Jersey area owns it.

Since I have been writing this blog and presenting Bands of the Week - such incredibly talented artists have come to my attention that I no longer worry when someone asks me to listen to their music. I expect good even great music. Even with those new found expectations, Don Ryan's music still blew me away.

A frustrating aspect of blogging is that you often don't know who is reading what you write and who is listening to and enjoying the music you present. All I can do is strongly encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to and watch the video of This Town. You have nothing to lose and a chance to get in on the ground floor of a fantastic new talent.


On Facebook, Don Ryan's page and my shared "Likes" came up as Tom Waits, Nine Inch Nails and Leonard Cohen. Tom Waits came to my mind when I first heard This Town. - Ear to the Ground


"Aquarian Disc of the Week"

The lights dim and the ring master appears, or at least that’s what I imagined at the start of Don Ryan’s 18-track mini-show, Tangle Town. The series of folky narratives is captivating right from the big band-styled intro and vintage feel. The opening act illuminates the release with silvery bells contrasting dreary drums to push the audience to the edge of their seat. What truly makes this album glisten is the way that Ryan is able to change his vocal tone from snarky to raspy with ease and romance. Tangle Town also features four intermission pieces, which vary from rag time piano, an out of tune music box, creepy laughter that could have been taken from Stephen King’s Carrie, and cheers for an encore.

To keep its momentum going, the lengthy album keeps pushing forward with distorted fun house-inspired guitar parts and bright, steel strings. However, Tangle Town isn’t all fun and games. The release has a dark side complete with swanky bass and melancholy strings. If that isn’t enough to send tingles down one’s spine, maybe the moans and groans during “Daedalum” will get those little neck hairs standing up. Although there are some dark elements at play, Ryan shows his softer side through his romantic vocals and soft-as-cloud guitar tones. During the catchiest song on Tangle Town, Ryan delivers swinging beats, as well as a clash of melodious and despondent vocals. The disc closes out with some of the most emotive vocals that Don Ryan recorded. One can truly feel his snarl through the pacing of the lyrics in the duet “Crystal Star.”

The only negative piece of feedback for Tangle Town is that there isn’t as strong a curtain closer as the opener. Other than that, the dark circus that Don Ryan brings to life is nothing short of vibrant.

In A Word: Dazzling - Aquarian Weekly


Discography

Tangle Town, Full Length LP -- Available for streaming/download at http://donryanmusic.bandcamp.com/

This Town -- Single -- Video available at http://youtu.be/N7KbJ_t0fRo

Three singles from Tangle Town (This Town, Living Avenue, and Down and Out) have been on college radio rotation in the NYC area on numerous stations, including WPSC, WFDU, WNTI and WSOU.

Photos

Bio

Don Ryan is a singer/songwriter whose compositions are delectable cocktails of ageless beauty and gritty discord -- a hypnotizing blend of classic Americana and gypsy jazz with a more modern, psychedelic-folk sound. This is a brand new spin on old music. Ryan's tableau of jagged sound stands out against the airier tones of the NYC/NJ folk scene in which he thrives; but as dark as his jumbled and oft-foreboding lyrics can be, his melodies are every bit as resonant.

His debut release, Tangle Town, was described by the Aquarian Weekly as a “dark circus” that is “in a word: dazzling”. And while he has been hailed by some as "the next artist ready to carry the torch of Tom Waits to a new generation" (HearHearMusic.com), others have noted his kinship to "the realm of The Civil Wars and Elliott Smith" (Kings of A&R).

Ryan's aggressive approach to his guitar playing has been noted as an "exercise in fretboard mastery" that is presented "with such an ease and nonchalance that it is easy to miss just how clever and crafty his songwriting chops are"(www.JimmyLloyd.com). Such command of the instrument was something Ryan learned in his youth. At age twelve, he was taught to play the guitar by a mortician's son in his town's local funeral home--sometimes learning with bodies only feet away--an experience that undoubtedly fueled his penchant for the dark and rather eccentric.

Backed by some of the finest musicians hailing from the marshlands of New Jersey, Ryan's live shows are displays of unbridled intensity, and are every bit the circus one would imagine. Onstage, the man is a dichotomy on two legs. Quick with a joke or a deeply confessional narration, Ryan is equal parts clown and tightrope walker; lion and tamer. But moreover, he is the charismatic master of ceremonies for one thrilling show.

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"...the dark circus that Don Ryan brings to life is nothing short of vibrant. In a word: dazzling." --The Aquarian Weekly

"Don Ryan takes his musical materials and wrenches them into the shape that best expresses his intentions, with scant regard for precedent or convention. Witty, disturbing lyrics...Excellent stuff." --LiveUnsigned.com

"...all-around musical badass." --Warren Riker, producer (Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Sublime)

"...multi-influenced music mixed together by a mad scientist." --FBFY Monthly Mixtape

"His sound is a throwback to an earlier, simpler time and his live performances are an exercise in fretboard mastery. Ryan commands his guitar with such an ease and nonchalance that it is easy to miss just how clever and crafty his songwriting chops are." --Jimmy Lloyd, television host (Jimmy Lloyd Songwriter Showcase, NBC)

"Definitely worth a listen or 10, check him out." --INDMUSIC

"an alluring collection of electrified Folk-Rock that still gets regular play in my Itunes library." --Speak Into My Good Eye

"Ryan never lets us quite hear what we expect...an artist of rare originality." --Oliver di Place blog

"...a fresh and interesting perspective on some old styles of music!" --Indie Rebellion

"...one versatile artist with a wide array of influences and styles he is playing around with like a kid in a candy shop." --Listen Before You Buy

"This is the real thing. Don Ryan is different. This is real music. This is real good music." --A Perfect Mess