“I don’t do much song writing, it just kind of happens.†Ryan Blue confesses to me after much prodding for some pretentiously deep singer song writer clichés. But he resists, relenting a true humbleness and candor that frankly, made any journalistic hubris I may have had diminish into pretentiously “deep†journalistic questions. Not too many musicians can do that, but then again Ryan Blue isn’t your typical musician.
Ryan Blue, both the dude who works at a coffee shop and his stage persona, stem from some place of utter aloofness. It’s a shy place that reveals his songs may be an extension of self that is both a catharsis and a taxing ordeal. Ryan is a strapping young lad (very tall), born in meat and potatoes Michigan, raised in cold as hell Wisconsin and luckily thawed out a bit when he made the trek to SD in 2001. While not possessing an ounce of rock star glare in his eyes, he has an entire scene’s attention, being one fourth of the sugar rock band, The Exfriends. He’s also got funny stories that honestly seem to come effortlessly out of no where. “I once had a dog named Sweetness, who was named after Walter Payton - who was a fine ass running back and a damn sweet man. That dog once ate $280 of my mom’s money.†Did I mention he was humble? You won’t hear stories like these come out of the mouth of Bob Dylan.
In person, Ryan’s whimsical voice and animation in his face is charming, but within his music his voice pitches a low and husky curve that borders between sultry and chain smoker. While both of these characteristics have their place in the world of solo artist vocals like say, the eccentric brilliance of Chan Marshall’s (better known under her moniker, Cat Power) voice, Ryan’s voice is the very essence of his sound. The guitar work indeed does deserve its own merit, but assuredly it is this midwestern boy’s downtown New York voice that will capture, even if for a moment, your attention. In addition to embarking on his solo work, Blue puts together an arsenal of local acoustic artist showcases with titles like “The Orange Ninja Entertainment Festivalâ€. Having played solo shows with fellow Exfriend and solo ninja Matt Curreri, and big time VH1-stud Jason Mraz, Mr. Blue is a sure shot in the indie solo scene and a genuine soul who makes even the most pretentious music critic eat her words.
Lindsday O'Conner, SDMusicMatters
