“One to watch.” ~ Jo Whiley, BBC Radio 1
“Joey Ryan is that rarest of artists … his music displays wit and wisdom, and a fundamental generosity of spirit.” ~ Tony Berg
Joey Ryan had graduated from Berkeley and was poised to attend graduate school to study neuroscience when he abruptly announced to his family that he wanted to pursue a career in music instead.
Unwavering in his vision for his future, Joey explains: “I realized that the truths I was interested in discovering through science were actually more accessible through music.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles to a teacher and a psychologist, Ryan experienced a unique perspective on life at an early age when his father nearly lost his life to cancer, resulting in a uniquely intellectual yet emotional viewpoint on life, love, and human nature in his songwriting.
Joey has now toured the US and UK several times over, returning home this past October for a month-long residency at LA’s Hotel Cafe. In January he’ll tackle the east coast again with a residency at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, followed by another Hotel Cafe residency in March.
Joey was able to independently finance his current EP, “Kenter Canyon,” by licensing his music to various media outlets. His music has been featured on Private Practice, iTunes Indie Artist Spotlight, KCRW’s “Weekend Becomes Eclectic,” and various commercials, including two long-running ads for Wrigley’s in the UK.
The 5 tracks were produced by Tony Berg (Jesca Hoop, Aimee Mann) and feature performances by Sara Bareilles, Dave Rawlings, Z Berg and Matt Chamberlain. With harmonies by Bareilles, the opening track “Broken Headlights” pays tribute to the shockingly clear Los Angeles air after it rains, gracefully likening it to the confessions of a long-hidden love.
Joey Ryan “Kenter Canyon” will be available for name-your-own-price purchase in January of 2010.
