
For All the Beautiful Losers
Ryan Martin’s debut album, For All the Beautiful Losers, is the work of a passionate, bold artist with a wide-screen vision. Drawing on artists like Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Townes Van Zandt, as well as more modern influences like Sparklehorse and Elliot Smith, these songs are full of timeless melodies, big hooks, evocative lyrics and buckets of soul. Exploring personal takes on classic themes of love and longing, heartbreak and alienation, Martin’s honest lyrics are woven through with compelling imagery and beautiful turns of phrase.
"Imagine if The Band had recorded 'Let it Loose' or 'Lovin’ Cup’ from Exile on Main Street and you get the idea…Ryan Martin is one to watch out for”
– Matt Satterfield / Leading Us Absurd
From the soulful, Stones-y swagger of “New York Women” to the buoyant indie-folk of “Replacement Avenue” to the fragile beauty of “Blue Blue Winter” and “Either Way (I Am Free)”, the depth and range in these songs is striking. Inspired sonic touches abound: the jubilant horns on the Brian Wilson-influenced “Private Holiday”; the hammered dulcimer coda on “Blue Blue Winter”; the regal French Horn intro on “Fool in Love”; and the retro-futurist Mellotron and drum machine on “Either Way (I Am Free)”, all elevate and illuminate this outstanding collection of songs.
“The album features a dozen delectable tracks that feature sincere depth, wayworn lyrics...combining the sultry sound of summery country with deep soul and eclectic piano.” - The Music Court
Originally from Los Gatos, California, Martin played the café and bar circuit from San Francisco to L.A. as a teenager, eventually landing in New York City in 2009. He soon found both an audience for his music as well as six deeply-talented musicians from the local scene who became the core players on For All The Beautiful Losers and in his powerful live band.
Martin recently finished a music video for “New York Women”, a mini-tour of the East Coast and is currently playing acoustic gigs in the New York region as he finishes his second full-length album, due out in Fall 2015.