Music
Press
“..she transcends (him) Neil Young by transforming her multitracked voice into a one-woman Crosby, Stills & Nash. Someone find this woman a record company-fast.” Jeffrey Morgan’s Media Blackout-The Metro Times-Detroit [07/07] - The Metro Times, Detroit
“Ryan’s confident voice and straightforward rootsy songs are the balm for what ails you. And with songs like the swaggering “Souls and Shoes” you’ll find yourself recovered, up and dancing in record time”. Eye Weekly-Toronto [06/07] - The Toronto Star
“Grainne Ryan may be compared to Lucinda Williams a bit for her brand of alt-country/No Depression but I also hear a bit of Jonatha Brooks… In a better world “Brace Yourself” along with songs such as ‘Tree Frog’, ‘What You Are To Me’ and ‘Unfold’ would be getting a lot of airplay and the musicianship of her band would be celebrated around the world”. John Book -Music for America [06/07] - Music For America - John Book
“Bet all your money and buy this wonderful sounding debut at once”. Leo Katestaart-Altcountry. NL [04/07] - Alt-Country.nl - Leo Katestaart
“A pure voice, perhaps a little reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan … one to watch.” Kerry Doole-Tandem Magazine [05/07] - Tandem Online Magazine - Toronto
“..she is not only a great lyricist, but also an extremely gifted vocalist. ‘All The Money’ is an intimate masterpiece played with passion and pleasure. … Conclusion: an absolute must for those who melt listening to Aimee Mann, Lucinda Williams, Sarah Harmer….Freddy Celis-Roots Time [04/07]
- Rootstime, Belgium
Discography
Grainne is currently working on her third album, with producer and Canadian rock royalty Moe Berg (former front man for The Pursuit Of Happiness). The new album also features Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace) on the drums.
ALL THE MONEY, released in January 2007. Tracks from All The Money have been aired in Canada on CBC Radio 1 (Freestyle, All In A Day, Main Street - Nova Scotia & PEI), CIUT (U of Toronto), CKLN (Ryerson University), CFBX (Kamloops, BC) CJSR (Edmonton AB), CFRC (Kingston, ON), The PEAK FM (Collingwood, ON), Harris Radio in New York City, Radio FM Goud in Belgium, BRTO Radio in The Netherlands.
MAGGIE'S FIELD, released in July of 2002. Tracks from this album have been aired on CBC Radio One.
Photos
Bio
Grainne [pronounced Grawn-ya] Ryan is an antidote to hollow artifice and insincerity. She wears the warmth of her heart and the strength of her hopes on her sleeve. The romantic activist in her believes that music can change people, and the world, for the better. And we, in turn, believe in her. Grainne hails from a small town north of Toronto. Of Irish descent, and the youngest of 5 musical children, she gracefully carries the legacy of generations of gifted musicians and artists. Blessed with a natural artistic ability - both as a musician and a painter - she recorded her first song at age 4, a cover version of The Beatles' "Baby You Can Drive My Car". Growing up, she listened to everything with a voracious appetite, from Irish reels to AC/DC, culminating into her own distinct, warmly vintage sound often juxtaposed with modern-day social and environmental sentiments and concerns.
As a singer/songwriter, recording artist and performer, Grainne strives to write intimate songs that touch her audience deeply and tug lightly on their heartstrings. She writes about issues that affect us all: the environment, the damage done by a modern high-speed lifestyle, and the problems created by a consumerist culture. But also she writes songs of love and hope, gentle moments of peace and clarity, thrilling moments of passion - works that explain our culture; that illuminate, inspire, provoke, and entertain. Grainne seeks to establish communities of conversation to surround her albums. Media, the music industry and fans have recognized Grainne's skill in the craft of songwriting. Grainne was a nominee for 'Best Country Song' and a finalist for 'Best Live Acoustic Performance' at the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards and was also the winner of the Paragon Singer/Songwriter Competition, in May 2008.
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