Album Notes

Heartfelt… genuine… quirky. That’s what people say about Ryan’s music. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a penchant for honesty, this newcomer to the singer/songwriter scene is poised to touch listeners across the country with his refreshing brand of folk pop. With a unique voice that many liken to Cat Stevens, Ryan brings a gentle vulnerability to his raw lyrics. Aching heart one minute, and wry smile the next, Ryan has the unique ability to make audiences laugh and cry… sometimes within the same song.

After honing his craft for 7 years, Ryan put his most memorable material together for his debut record, Monkeys & Ice Cream. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Erik Eldénius, the songs tackle themes as varied as gay relationships, life as a nomad, addiction, and one cute little stuffed monkey. Ryan’s writing is mainly influenced by the potent female singer/songwriters of the 90s: Alanis Morissette, Indigo Girls, Aimee Mann, Lisa Loeb, Jewel, and Chantal Kreviazuk. Sometimes cozy and sometimes daring, infused through the album is a positive sense of hope.

“For me, music is emotion,” Ryan says. If I can help someone feel something, then I’ve done my job.”