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"An aspiring rock singer who seems to get better with each appearance. Carla Ryder is almost too versatile to categorize, but she has fun trying." Steve Morse, The Boston Globe
Songwriting accolades: Chosen for top 12 Do It Yourself picks in Performing Songwriter Magazine's June 2007 issue. Honorable mention in the 2005 Billboard Songwriting Contest, semi-finalist in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition out of over 11,000 entries, finalist in the Americana Category of the 2004 International Songwriting Competition (ISC), with her song "Three Mondays Gone", and The 2004 Great American Song Contest, with "Nevada". Til The End of Counting named one of the top 10 CDs of 2004 by The Patriot Ledger and New England Scrapbook News. Carla co-wrote 2 songs featured on NBC's Primetime "Promised Land" and ABC's Sunday night movie, "Y2K". Three songs from Pulling Down Sky selected to appear on the DVD release of Party of Five.
Performance accolades: With her current line-up, as well as her previous band The Mudhens, she has had the honor of opening for performers such as Neil Young, Beck, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Jonatha Brooke, Primus, 10,000 Maniacs, Antigone Rising, Cake, Ben Folds 5, Guster, The Push Stars, Janis Ian, Bill Staines, Dexter Freebish, and Jon Pussett Dart. Nominated for a Boston Music Award in 1998. Awarded Jam Music Magazine's New Hampshire's Artist of the Year and "Spinning to Crazy" Song of the Year 2000.
A Boston native, Carla Ryder is a wife and mother who spends her days working in the public schools teaching inner-city kids to read. She is also an accomplished front-woman, singer, and songwriter. With a total of 6 albums under her belt, she has toured extensively and developed a loyal & enthusiastic following from New England to the Pacific Northwest. She writes from the heart and from the gut what she knows and what she sees. Whether confessional, self-mocking or anecdotal, she passionately blends her experiences with those of others-the world around her, and never fails to lyrically paint a touching and exquisite portrait of emotion. Her melodies can make you cry at one moment and dance at another. Her sound has been described as rootsy & raw; folk-flavored indie-pop with haunting lyrics, infectious melodies, spot-on harmonies and rock-solid grooves. Ryder's poignant vocals are soulful and soaring. Her swoops, glides and falsetto give her a unique sound, especially when she goes into storytelling mode. And a storyteller she is. Carla has crafted a style that is tender and heart warming yet manages to tear up and rock any stage. Her connection with the audience is deep and powerful. Her charm, presence and humor exude warmth and a human quality so strong that from the crowd, you feel that you know her personally.
Recordings: "Pulling Down Sky" released in 2000, produced by Chris Lannon, "Acoustic & Live", released in 2001, "Til the End of Counting", released in 2004. Both studio releases charted on CMJ & received local, national and AAA airplay.
All releases have enjoyed spots in regular rotation on Boston's WUMB 91.9 and WERS 88.9, and Concord NH's 95.5 WJYY. The band was hosted in the River Music Hall, The River 92.5 for an in-studio performance on New Frontiers, and "Spinning to Crazy" was spun on 92.9 WBOS for a week prior to the release of "Pulling Down Sky".
Performance venues: The Somerville Theater, House of Blues, The Lizard Lounge, The Iron Horse, Harper's Ferry, The Blackthorne Tavern, The Stone Church, Tupelo Music Hall, Club Passim & The Capitol Center for the Arts) and New York City (Arlene's Grocery, The Bitter End & The Living Room), as well as many residencies at TOAD in Cambridge.
The Carla Ryder Band have developed a rabid following of loyal listeners who faithfully attend as each show is transformed into a memorable musical experience that leaves everyone wanting more.
"Carla is one of the best young songwriters around. I was totally taken with her cd". Bill Staines, Songwriterp>