Ryan Downey today releases his jaw-droppingly beautiful debut album Running. Downey has created a musical world unlike any that you’ve heard, illuminating an artist who has the power to break your heart, mend it and set it on fire, all at the same time.
Ryan grew up in rural Victoria on a property out of town. At 10 he was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. “I was a young boy with an old man’s body,” he explains. “There were days when I couldn’t walk and during the worst of it my hair turned grey for a while.” He matured fast and got a sense of humour about life fast too. “Being a forced bystander through those early years really bound me to my love of art, music and cinema.”
Throughout, Running is brimming with heart and wry observation, sophistication and playfulness; a glorious and perfectly constructed 21st century folk gem which reveals Downey as a timeless talent.
Running was recorded across New York and Melbourne – at the Brooklyn studio of Zoe Randell and Steven Hassett of duo Luluc, with preliminary tracking done at Headgap Studios in Preston, Victoria. It was produced by Hassett, who Ryan met when supporting Luluc on their 2014 tour. It was a perfect pairing with the two of them embarking on an intense five weeks of recording.
Having just played his first ever sold out headline shows in Melbourne and Sydney, Ryan Downey will be joining Sarah Blasko on her national tour in May/June, alongside his own May headline east coast tour (with full band) in support of the album. Tickets and details below.
Stream / purchase Running: https://ryandowney.lnk.to/runningoutnow
RYAN DOWNEY – Running Album Tour
Thursday 17 May – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Tickets available here
Thursday 24 May – The Junk Bar, Brisbane
Tickets available here
Saturday 26 May – Oxford Art Factory Gallery, Sydney
Tickets available here
ON TOUR WITH SARAH BLASKO
Friday 11th May – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (tickets)
Saturday 12th May – The Triffid, Brisbane (tickets)
Wednesday 23rd May – Canberra Theatre Centre (tickets)
Friday 1st June – Metro Theatre, Sydney (tickets)
Friday 8th June – The Gov, Adelaide (tickets)
Thursday 14th June – The Rosemount, Perth (tickets)
Friday 15th June – The Rosemount, Perth (SOLD OUT)
Thursday 21st June – The Capital, Bendigo (tickets)
Friday 22nd June – 170 Russell, Melbourne (tickets)
