Ryan Montbleau
10-1-2015
Ryan Montbleau, who has been recording and touring as both a solo act and bandleader for much of the last 15 years, moves people. A gifted songwriter, he has developed a very special history and bond to a deeply-rooted fanbase that now stretches all over the United States and beyond. His transcendent songcraft and powerful, uplifting voice can tackle intense topics just as easily as expressing life's simple, everyday joys. He continues to speak to a generation of fans who have been along for his rise. Like an intense, slow-burning wildfire, Montbleau has toured relentlessly and connected with audiences night after night, year after year.
Ryan entered a new chapter of his career with the release of "Growing Light" on April 21st. The 10-song set is bold and barrier-breaking, organically blending rock, funk, soul, folk and psychedelia to create a sonic kaleidoscope where tunes like the percolating first single “Pacing Like Prince” and the cinematic title track co-exist in refracted bliss. The album pairs Montbleau’s most artfully crafted and sincere lyrics with vocal performances of exceptional grace and heart. The songs also benefit from the near-telepathic rapport of Montbleau and his band, which developed over a decade of touring. And those qualities are enhanced by the adventurous production of Galactic’s Ben Ellman and inventive mixing by Mikael “Count” Eldridge, who has worked with DJ Shadow, Radiohead and No Doubt. The new songs trace the bloom-and-fade cycle of finding and losing love through the arc of a relationship. They also come at the end of a decade-long era with his band – a group who came of age together while touring the jam band circuit, where the Massachusetts-born Montbleau built his initial following.
Today Montbleau continues to maintain a busy touring schedule, dividing gigs between solo shows and various line-ups of the Ryan Montbleau Band. “You learn how to push yourself to write lyrics that get as close to what you want to say as possible, or to find the right music to say it with, or to sing in a way that really carries the message in your heart." Montbleau reflects. "That’s where I feel like I’ve arrived today, and I’m excited to find out where I’m going next. Whether it's solo acoustic, with a trio, or with a full band of amazing players, my goal is to put on a great show every single night and to sing my truth as clearly as I can. I think I've been doing that and it's what I love to do."
OPEN: Hayley Sabella - Songwriter of the Year - Nominee @ The New England Music Awards - With clever lyrics based on the notion that the best songs start with having something to say, Hayley draws from names like Jeff Buckley, Anais Mitchell and Sufjan Stevens, but with a style that is passionate, dynamic and all her own.
Ryan Montbleau, who has been recording and touring as both a solo act and bandleader for much of the last 15 years, moves people. A gifted songwriter, he has developed a very special history and bond to a deeply-rooted fanbase that now stretches all over the United States and beyond. His transcendent songcraft and powerful, uplifting voice can tackle intense topics just as easily as expressing life's simple, everyday joys. He continues to speak to a generation of fans who have been along for his rise. Like an intense, slow-burning wildfire, Montbleau has toured relentlessly and connected with audiences night after night, year after year.
Ryan entered a new chapter of his career with the release of "Growing Light" on April 21st. The 10-song set is bold and barrier-breaking, organically blending rock, funk, soul, folk and psychedelia to create a sonic kaleidoscope where tunes like the percolating first single “Pacing Like Prince” and the cinematic title track co-exist in refracted bliss. The album pairs Montbleau’s most artfully crafted and sincere lyrics with vocal performances of exceptional grace and heart. The songs also benefit from the near-telepathic rapport of Montbleau and his band, which developed over a decade of touring. And those qualities are enhanced by the adventurous production of Galactic’s Ben Ellman and inventive mixing by Mikael “Count” Eldridge, who has worked with DJ Shadow, Radiohead and No Doubt. The new songs trace the bloom-and-fade cycle of finding and losing love through the arc of a relationship. They also come at the end of a decade-long era with his band – a group who came of age together while touring the jam band circuit, where the Massachusetts-born Montbleau built his initial following.
Today Montbleau continues to maintain a busy touring schedule, dividing gigs between solo shows and various line-ups of the Ryan Montbleau Band. “You learn how to push yourself to write lyrics that get as close to what you want to say as possible, or to find the right music to say it with, or to sing in a way that really carries the message in your heart." Montbleau reflects. "That’s where I feel like I’ve arrived today, and I’m excited to find out where I’m going next. Whether it's solo acoustic, with a trio, or with a full band of amazing players, my goal is to put on a great show every single night and to sing my truth as clearly as I can. I think I've been doing that and it's what I love to do."
OPEN: Hayley Sabella - Songwriter of the Year - Nominee @ The New England Music Awards - With clever lyrics based on the notion that the best songs start with having something to say, Hayley draws from names like Jeff Buckley, Anais Mitchell and Sufjan Stevens, but with a style that is passionate, dynamic and all her own.