Ryan Wayne’s new single is a farewell letter to John Prine
Accomplished Americana/roots-rock singer-songwriter Ryan Wayne, best-known for his time with the award-winning, much-loved Toronto band Warped 45s, has released “Wherever You Land,” the first single from his upcoming debut album Crow Amongst The Sparrows.
“Wherever You Land” is a tender-hearted waltz that sounds like it was written by John Prine, sung by Bob Dylan, played by U2, and produced by Daniel Lanois. The song extends a generous wish and prayer to all who’ve suffered, survived, or perished from the toll of the pandemic.
Mired in the angst and apprehension of the early days of the pandemic, ‘Wherever You Land’ is a farewell letter of sorts to the late great John Prine,” Ryan said.
“Started in the wake of Prine’s passing from COVID-19, and completed after suffering a health scare of my own, the song imagines a place where Prine (and perhaps all of us) might find some eternal comfort, perhaps like the pre-coal-mining childhood Eden [that] Prine sings of in his famous song, ‘Paradise.'”
Ryan spent several years away from recording after his time with the Warped 45s and, early this year, suffered two strokes.
As part of the healing process, he was drawn back to the music world and began the final production and mixing of a series of self-produced songs with Grammy-Award winning producer and mixing engineer Malcolm Burn (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Patti Smith, Daniel Lanois), songs that will comprise the forthcoming record.
Born and raised in the blue collar town of Oshawa, just east of Toronto, Ryan grew up surrounded by music. His father is a songwriting truck driver, and Ryan spent countless summer nights singing with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends at the family cabin in the Madawaska Valley.
His musical career has seen him sharing the stage with artists such as The Drive By Truckers, The Skydiggers, Elliott Brood, Deer Tick, The Once and Justin Rutledge. Ryan has also done a lot of session work, highlights of which include playing mandolin on “Road Regrets” off Dan Mangan’s seminal record, Nice, Nice, Very Nice.
