RYAN MILLS

Acoustic / New Wave / Post Hardcore

Toronto

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Ryan Mills solo tour in Europe Feb/Mar 2008...

Billboard

With his raw vocal delivery and uncensored view of the world, Ryan Mills' music touches nerves and breathes humanity. Ryan conquers the challenge many writers take when openly shedding a tear, unknotting the stomach, or chocking on a lump in his/her throat.

It can be a hit or miss equation for a songwriter delivering naked emotion to the listener without portraying pretension or melodrama. He achieves this with deeply moving songs and elegantly put stories taken from his own experiences without laying the sap or sugar too thick. The combination of beautiful melodies and minor chords create a melancholy tone to his music. Whether stripped down to a single vocal and hollow guitar or an orchestrated piece with full-band accompaniment, Ryan's sincerity remains intact as he keeps the focus on the song, not himself. He gives us a refreshing listen in an over-saturated field of singer/songwriters bent on both folk and punk music. Admittedly, he is...but sometimes surprisingly isn't just that. Have a listen to "Deepest Blue" and you'll hear him for what he is. Ryan is a talented songwriter with an heir of world weary wisdom under his wings.

Heavily influenced by the early 90s punk sound with it's picked out chords and creative patterns, Ryan formed a trio and began hitting the stage. Bands like Hot Water Music, Seaweed, Split Lip, Samiam and Farside were among these influences. "Just Beyond Reach" had a handful of great shows with great response.

Eventually adding two more and replacing one, the now five piece band became Blue Skies At War. BSAW had some minor success before disbanding. BSAW released a couple music videos and one album entitled "You Pour the Gasoline, I'll light the Match" which was a great description of the band itself. The same old story, booze, drugs, girls, musical differences, ignorance and arrogance combined with relentless tours and the stain of bad luck resulted in the demise of the band.

As the end grew near for BSAW, Ryan hit the studio to record and release a solo effort, later giving birth to the band Kover. Compared as the Foo Fighters meet Hot Water Music, meets Thin Lizzy, Kover now a full band began tearing up shows with their driving, low tuned sound. Kover released 'Assembly' in 2006 on Engineer Records. Blessed by some great reviews and press, the word of Kover still spreads in underground punk circles from Japan, UK, USA, Canada and Europe.

Mills didn't hesitate to launch a career apart from the band. Now with time and a few albums and tours under his belt a much anticipated solo release is in the works. The plan for a solo tour in Europe is underway. Ryan also lends himself to "Hours and Hours: a tribute to Seaweed". Sharing the experience will be The Draft, Favez, The Fire Still Burns among many other great bands. The tribute is set to release Spring 2008 on Engineer Records. Ryan's voice will also appear on "The Boat: a Tribute to Leatherface". The track "Wax Lyrical" was recorded with Kover and the tribute is due out winter 2007.