I was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and my earliest musical influences include fretting over the fate of the Nowhere Man, a ‘Graceland' tape that was stuck in the family car's cassette player for three years, and far too many viewings of the movie Labrynth. I'm now living in Banff, Alberta - jamming on hallway pianos, doing a radio show on Radio90 fm, and writing and recording new songs.

Ryan McMahon grew up in Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where he began playing in local bars on Vancouver Island at the age of 17, under the moniker “Citizen Strange.”

There, he befriended several promoters that allowed him opening support slots for bands coming through town such as Nickelback and Wide Mouth Mason, allowing him the opportunity to hone his craft alongside those already established.

In 2003, Ryan moved to Vancouver and began playing with two musicians who would become his best friends, Mike Rogerson (who produces all of Ryan’s material) and Dustin Young, both of whom still play guitars for him to this day. Together they formed the band, “Ryan McMahon & the Dirty Five,” along with drummer Jesse Smith and bassist Thomas Dowding, and the band toured throughout British Columbia and Alberta, but was never really afforded the opportunity to take it further.

Wanting change, and a more diversified sound, Ryan, Mike, and Dustin stuck together and headed to Baker Street Studios in North Vancouver, to begin work on what would become Ryan’s first solo album, “Better Days Gone By.” They recruited several friends throughout the music industry, including Hamish Thomson (the Hermit), Jon Frederiksen (the Hermit), Doug Elliott (the Odds), Pat Steward (Bryan Adams, Matthew Good, the Odds), Jesse Smith (Jeff Johnson, the Dirty Five), Thomas Dowding (the Dirty Five), and Craig Northey (the Odds).

The result? A 12-song rock n’roll roots album that showcases Ryan’s love for playing rough, honest music, which people of all walks can easily relate to.

With themes ranging from infidelities (“Liar”) to the music industry itself (“Song Says So”), “Better Days Gone By” is a well-rounded honest album that will surely communicate well in both the rock and acoustic formats.

Rye’s dynamic, genuine personality, combined with his unique emotional style will definitely offer fans of roots rock a true kindred spirit.

For a better tomorrow, vote Ryan McMahon.

Contact Information:
Geoff Goddard @ Fronstide Promotions - 604-648-2782
Ryan McMahon - 778-892-6974

www.ryanmcmahon.com
www.myspace.com/mcmahonryan

•  Like it lots
•  just found it again
•  This scratches my musical itch
•  A wonderful song!
•  Catchy

Here are a few things people might want to know about me.

1. I rock
2. All songs are written, produced, arranged and performed by me, Todd Steinhilber.
3. My philosophy is one of expansion, adventure and humour.
4. My focus is radiating an energy of joy through my musical endeavours.
5. I hail from Earth, a small blue planet tucked away in a cozy little corner of the universe. Actually I'm from a little city located on the coast of one of the northern continents, it's called New York.
6. I am musically inspired by The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Clash, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Costello & Radiohead among many others.
7. The point of all of this is to communicate.To create a space, unrelated to daily civilized routine, where people can find something new, can look into a mirror, can laugh for no reason.

•  Flow

Biography

Matt Harlan is a songwriter's songwriter. He composes scenic landscapes and pointed statements disguised as songs. Often non-linear, but always melodic, Harlan's works confront social norms, celebrate lives overlooked, or just wax poetic about coffee and bus stops. Whatever the inspiration, the music is always heartfelt and genuine.

Born and raised in Texas, Harlan soaked up the richness of the state and its song-smiths while bouncing between big cities and small towns. Always in love with music, he eventually learned to play and write it. From '60s pop in kindergarten to alt-country in college and all the angst in between, Harlan draws from a range of influences, interpreting a generation steeped in plastic and filtered through the Hill Country limestone.

After gigging in rock bands around San Antonio and Austin, Harlan dropped the pick and the power chords to develop his own unique fingerstyle guitar technique. Now back in Houston he is working to promote his earthy, socially conscious sound, which is continually evolving.

Accomplishments

In 2003 Matt Harlan won the Kerrville Folk Festival's Texas University Songwriters Competition based on the merit of his songs “Suitcase Blues,” “Warm November,” and “The Optimist.” Winning the competition allowed him to play on the Threadgill's Stage at the Festival along with other songwriters from Texas universities.

The Houston Fort Bend Songwriter's Association (HFBSA) has nominated Matt Harlan's “Heavy Steel and Spinning Wheels” for their 2006 Song of the Year award.

Matt Harlan was recently offered the chance to play at the legendary Anderson Fair for its songwriters showcase series. Details can be found on Matt Harlan's websites and at www.andersonfair.com.

•  Good Folk Story
•  Thoughful folk song