Midwestern AF.
Since departing his South Dakota home for Minnesota, Clayton Ryan's pointed, angsty songwriting has become a recognizable encapsulation of the music scene. The brooding, heartbroken tones of his twangy voice paint a melancholic picture of the desolate main streets and choked upbringing familiar to most of Midwestern America.
The electric performer sold out his first ticketed show ever at The Bryant Lake Theater, shared stages with Canaan Cox and John Morgan, and reached over 10,000 streams on day one of releasing his debut LP, GHOST TOWN. Produced by Isaac Levy (Ryan Lewis, Jonah Marais, Brian Setzer) and multi-platinum selling artist Michael Shynes, the 11-track, live band record has given Clayton an impressive step forward into the scene with a sound that boldly steps between rock and roll, Midwest emo, and alt-country territory.
Over the course of his career as a writer and performer, he has shared songs and stages with Liam St. John, Cristina Vane, Julia DiGrazia, Jalan Crossland, Joshua Quimby, and Tori Miller, and appeared at Miner Music Festival, Big Turn Music Fest, Des Moines Art Festival, Wild Bill Days, Sturgis Musicfest, Whiskey Jam, and Hotel Cafe.