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Ryan, 24, is a singer/songwriter from Maryland who has done a lot in a short time, to say the least. He began performing at age 14, first as an acoustic act. Soon after, he formed the band Second String, of which he was the lead singer/rhythm guitarist. SS had huge local success including some shows well above capacity playing with artists like Wakefield, Over It, and Can't Hang.
The three piece disbanded in 2001 and Ryan joined up with ex Forever AD members to form 2nd String. Around 2002, Ryan really began to find his own unique sound, broke off from 2nd String, and decided to try something new.
In 2003, Ryan and a co worker at the time found a common bond in being obsessed with pop music and hooks in songs, so shortly after this discovery came the extremely catchy four piece group Ocean View. OV seemed like they were the next big thing with a killer sound, clean image, and youth on their side. However, we all know the story of "creative differences" too well when it comes to great bands, and that was the end of The View. Supposedly, a few members from the band attempted to continue on but without Ryan in the band, it just wasn't the same. So it's 2006, Cali anyone?
In November of '06, Ryan decided to take a job transfer to the San Francisco Bay Area to give himself breathing room and focus on his new solo career. This new environment filled with artists and uniquely awesome people allowed Ryan to network a lot and learn so much including basic recording and engineering which later proved to be invaluable. He mainly wrote songs and tried to perfect his craft in California, but something just didn't feel right after spending two years away from the place that he grew up. Ryan knew it was time to come home. He packed up in May of 2008 and headed back east.
Ryan was so attracted to the city of Washington, D.C. because it's full of life in many ways, so he calls it home for now. Hammer has just released his debut album, a 6-song EP titled "Young and Alive" on February 10, 2009 through most major digital music distributors (iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, AmazonMP3, and EMusic). He is extremely proud to finally have a major release and appreciates everyone's support that gave him the inspiration to continue forward with music as his path in life.
Already, he is hard at work recording a new 5-song EP not yet titled. When asked what's different about this record as opposed to the last, Ryan says "I was younger when I wrote most of 'Young and Alive', but now I am more mature and have a lot more patience and experience. It will help to ensure that the songs sound full and that the listener feels the emotion and purpose behind each one." Expect a Fall release for that record, and updates on that to follow.
Ryan's main goal is to help people to realize how powerful music is. His Mom, who was his music teacher and still teaches on the east coast, showed him how important music is and always encouraged his dream. Already, Ryan has had an impact on a lot of people with his music and his laid back, positive attitude. He always has fun when he's playing, writing, or recording music, and I think this gives the people around him no choice but to join in and share the fun.
2009 should be a big year for Hammer, so stay tuned to this page as well as Ryan's YouTube
www.youtube.com/R yanHammer826
for all the latest news on shows, songs, videos, blogs,etc. Also, feel free to email Ryan at oceanviewryan@gmail.com for booking shows, questions, comments, etc.
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