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Matthew Ryan · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Tennessee

Judging by the views you guys are coming around, but no one's saying hello.

Is everyone good out there?

Finally finished the new record last Friday. In a strange coincidence, it was August 21st. A very special day to me, since the 21st of August is Joe Strummer's birthday. He's influenced me through-out all parts of my life. Politics, Rock NRoll, brotherhood and art. He inspired me to be a global citizen as well as an American. He inspired me to reach beyond the surface of things and try and provoke a more honest humanity from words and melody. His influence ways heavy in the spirit of what I tried to do and even more so with this record. Essentially it's self-made at home with only one thing in mind: record as pure a collection of songs as I possibly can with no interference or fear.

The new record is called Dear Lover. We'll be releasing it digitally in November. There will be some touring through the end of the year, 2009.

Dear Lover will be released in hard copy in early 2010 with a beautiful package designed by Jeri Heiden. She's one of my favorite art directors. Those of you who are familiar with Daniel Lanois will be familiar with her work since she did the For The Beauty Of Wynona record.

Hope all of you out here are doing well. I'm anxious to offer this new music to you. I hope it just surrounds you like it does me. It's a funny thing to come this far (12 records in), and to have failed and succeeded as much as I have to realize, that the truth is, up until recently, I've been lazy. I love how hard it was to capture this record, because it wasn't labored by mathematics, it was labored by policing myself not to obscure my intent. To be as honest as I possibly could. And finding that the end result is beautiful... is well,.... it's just beautiful.

See ya soon I hope. Got some shows in Nashville, Chicago and St. Louis just around the corner in September. And more will be announced soon.

Best
Matthew Ryan

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wstroby · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 2 Location: N.J.

Still haunted by the two new ones I heard in N.Y. last month, one called - I think - "The End of a Ghost Story" and the other still untitled at the time. They seemed of a piece with that stripped-down ambient sound of "Streets," which I loved (couldn't get that song out of my head for weeks after I first heard it). Looking forward to the album.

W.

cortezthekiller · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 13

Very much looking forward to the new record. Any chance there will be a vinyl issue of it as well?

I've been listening to "Some Streets Lead Nowhere" a lot, lately. The music has a "searching" feel to it. It reminds me of long, late night walks I used to take in my early-20's just looking for some direction. I can't necessarily say that's a happy connection. LOL. But it is a connection, and I suppose that's what we're all looking for with our art. A connection.

ljcdad · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 6

excited to hear the new stuff in a month or two. hoping to see you back in Ann Arbor again soon.

Matthew Ryan · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Tennessee

Good to hear from you guys. We'll start posting some songs for you guys to hear in the next few weeks on myspace and the like, maybe even here on the site.

Hans Dekline at Sound Bites Dog is mastering it as I write this. It's coming along beautifully. Sonically and emotionally this record is somewhere between Joy Division, Sinatra and an indie folk rock band version of U2 (best I can describe). I played most of the music myself. Even rocked an accordion a couple times. That was fun. Friends came and played the thing I couldn't, Scott played some mandolin, Molly brought her violin and of course Brian played some bass and even a guitar. But I handled most of the guitar. Really wanted to explore that more on this record.

Some Streets Lead Nowhere kind of set the tone for this record, Cortez. So hopefully you'll find these new songs re-connect you to a similar sense.

ljcdad · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 6

sonically i think the guitar parts have been under appreciated in your music. Whether its the acoustic, your playing, or others the arrangements have this back and forth to them. They go from this big knife like power chords to smaller death by thousand of scapel slashes where each little note across each little string all edgy and razor sharp convays a moment in the song.

.

KEN · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear about the new record, Matthew. I second the motion for a nice vinyl release also. And come to Toronto, also Very Happy

KEN.
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Matthew Ryan · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Tennessee

Thank You for mentioning the guitars. We have worked hard on guitar parts and sounds in the past. And I literally played parts 'til my fingers bled on this one since there was no way of editing or punching in. Every track is a performance. So it's real immediate.

I'll tell you guys, things are getting better. I'm so proud that my career is still growing even though it lives outside the law. So much of that is because of you that continue to listen and advocate. I wish I could get to every city everywhere on every record. Slowly but surely we're getting there. I love Toronto. As soon as I can get there I will.

spuda1 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Yorkshire, UK

Hi M!

Yeah, some of us are still around! Thanks for the preview of one of your new songs, lovely!

Was going to ask whether the new album was just a digital download but you mention here there will also be hard copies available next year though of course there's no way I can wait and will be downloading immediately! So looking forward to hearing more!

Glad you have the feeling that things are getting better 'cos it feels like it from here, enjoying each album more than the last.

Take care
Emma

Matthew Ryan · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Tennessee

It will first be available through via digital stores online. Then it will be available physically through Independent Stores via The Independent Coalition. We will also be doing reasonably priced mail-order world wide.

Thanks for checking in an continuing to listen.

I'm very excited about Dear Lover. If you guys out there love it half as much as I do, it will be quite a record for you guys.

Best
M

Matthew Ryan · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Tennessee

Guess the dates would help!!!!!

World-Wide Digital Release Date via iTunes, Amazon, Emusic and so on : 10/27/09

Physical Release Date via The Independent Coalition: 2/16/10

ccrider · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 28

wstroby · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 2 Location: N.J.

And you need to put your version of "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" on there as a hidden track too, like "You Belong to Me" on the Strays record ...
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angie · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Midland

Been a while since I've been around these parts but I wanted to pop in say I am very excited about getting the new album. Loved the YouTube video of The Wilderness. Can't wait until 10/27 to get the digital download.

I think aside from Roger Clyne, you are the only artist I've followed consistently for over 10 years and have purchased every single album you've ever released. I've yet to be disappointed.

And I've got to throw it out there just one more time... Get your butt to west Texas so I can see you live again. 8 years is way too long to for me to go without a Matthew Ryan show! Wink

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Matthew Ryan · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Tennessee

I agree Angie. I don't know why it's so hard for me to get down there regularly.

Thanks for continuing to come along and listen. So cool.

Good idea on Never Fall In Love Again Wstroby... See if I can figure something out for that

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