Ryan Tennis

*Live Interview - In Search of a Song

*Live Interview - In Search of a Song

Philly native singer/songwriter Ryan Tennis has a lilting voice and the manner of someone who’s got a good story to tell. All good since, in his body of work, including last year’s LP Goodbye to the Ground, the hunky musician focuses on many of the standard topics of the genre: longing, finding hope in too-small slivers, lamenting love affairs, and the suffering of the human condition. Which isn’t to say he can’t also be uplifting, at least from the passion of his musical conviction. Check out this live clip from The Clubhouse and you’ll get a sense of the energy and intensity of his performance. - Philly in Focus

Philly native singer/songwriter Ryan Tennis has a lilting voice and the manner of someone who’s got a good story to tell. All good since, in his body of work, including last year’s LP Goodbye to the Ground, the hunky musician focuses on many of the standard topics of the genre: longing, finding hope in too-small slivers, lamenting love affairs, and the suffering of the human condition. Which isn’t to say he can’t also be uplifting, at least from the passion of his musical conviction. Check out this live clip from The Clubhouse and you’ll get a sense of the energy and intensity of his performance. - Philly in Focus

Acoustic folk musician and Philadelphia native Ryan Tennis has recently released a music video of his song “Wake me Up” from his latest album Goodbye to the Ground.

The video follows Ryan on a road trip from the city to the country as he travels to spend some time with family and friends around a campfire. Along Ryan’s journey, the video features young children playing in a park and beautiful landscapes, juxtaposed with urban images seen from the window of Ryan’s car. These scenes play on the lyrics of the song, reminding listeners to appreciate the simple things in life.

The video, playing alongside the slower tempo of acoustic guitar and piano chords, has an interesting way of surfacing old memories for viewers. When I watched the video for the first time, I thought back to my childhood days when I discovered the world through playing and exploring at the local playground, or in the pond behind my house.

The video ends after Ryan arrives at the campfire. He sits down with his guitar and plays songs for his audience of friends and family, which also consists of the same children seen playing earlier in the video. The video comes full circle. Watching this scene, I could feel the happiness and togetherness of the gathering around the campfire. I feel like I could imagine exactly what the people in the video were discussing and feeling, as it reminded me of the times I’ve spent with my own family and friends around a fire, roasting marshmallows and talking about life.

This video relates to almost every viewer because it hits on experiences and values that are important to most people. Personally, I value the time I get to spend with those that are close to me, because as I get older and my schedule gets crazier, those times happen less often. I think this notion is exactly what this song “Wake Me Up” is getting at. We realize the importance of breaking away from schedules and appreciating the opportunities to spend time with loved ones. It’s perfectly fine to slow down and to take in the blue skies and landscapes outside our windows.
- WPSU - Blue Robot

Acoustic folk musician and Philadelphia native Ryan Tennis has recently released a music video of his song “Wake me Up” from his latest album Goodbye to the Ground.

The video follows Ryan on a road trip from the city to the country as he travels to spend some time with family and friends around a campfire. Along Ryan’s journey, the video features young children playing in a park and beautiful landscapes, juxtaposed with urban images seen from the window of Ryan’s car. These scenes play on the lyrics of the song, reminding listeners to appreciate the simple things in life.

The video, playing alongside the slower tempo of acoustic guitar and piano chords, has an interesting way of surfacing old memories for viewers. When I watched the video for the first time, I thought back to my childhood days when I discovered the world through playing and exploring at the local playground, or in the pond behind my house.

The video ends after Ryan arrives at the campfire. He sits down with his guitar and plays songs for his audience of friends and family, which also consists of the same children seen playing earlier in the video. The video comes full circle. Watching this scene, I could feel the happiness and togetherness of the gathering around the campfire. I feel like I could imagine exactly what the people in the video were discussing and feeling, as it reminded me of the times I’ve spent with my own family and friends around a fire, roasting marshmallows and talking about life.

This video relates to almost every viewer because it hits on experiences and values that are important to most people. Personally, I value the time I get to spend with those that are close to me, because as I get older and my schedule gets crazier, those times happen less often. I think this notion is exactly what this song “Wake Me Up” is getting at. We realize the importance of breaking away from schedules and appreciating the opportunities to spend time with loved ones. It’s perfectly fine to slow down and to take in the blue skies and landscapes outside our windows.
- WPSU - Blue Robot

http://folkyouphilly.com/2011/11/15/podcast-fyp-podcast-3-ryan-tennis/ - Folk You Philly

http://folkyouphilly.com/2011/11/15/podcast-fyp-podcast-3-ryan-tennis/ - Folk You Philly

Ryan Tennis is a Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter and is one of the winners of this year's Philadelphia Songwriter Project. He was recently a featured performer at the Songwriter's Project showcase during the Kimmel Center Summer Solstice 2010. He will be opening for Shawn Colvin in July of 2010 and will be performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in August. Origivation caught up with Ryan just before his Kimmel Center performance.

O: On your web page you touched on the fact that you were very focused on football before you turned to music. When exactly did you first start learning music?
RT: I played a little bit. I took lessons for a little bit when I was a kid and I wasn't very good at it. And then when I was in high school I had some friends who played and they taught me. I was in an acapella group in high school so I did do some singing. But by the time I really picked up the guitar again at the end of college I could barely play. Some of it came back and I had kind of a half start.
O: So you didn't really play in college?
RT: Yeah, which is really too bad because I had a ton of time and I was just screwing around, I guess.
O: Well, sometimes it is better that way because you pick it up when you are ready for it.
RT: I feel that I come at music from a real listener perspective. When people have been playing their whole lives it's awesome because they have crazy chops and they just understand so much. For song writing, I think that sometimes it's nice to come at it from a layman's perspective. I'm more into what feels good and sounds good.
O: You started out with a band in San Diego. When did you decide you would rather perform as a solo artist?
RT: It was about 2006 or 2007. I had been in that band for about a year and I kind of all of a sudden decided, 'I really want to get more serious about this.' Before I would play but only when I felt like it which was cool because it kept the love of music alive. But I wasn't putting as much seriousness into it and one day I was like, 'Whoever I am today, that is who I am' and if want to be a musician then I have to be a serious musician.

O: Are you doing wrap up work on your upcoming second album or will you be will you be adding more travel dates this summer?
RT: I have more shows that just aren't on my schedule yet. But this album that I am working on is definitely the main focus right now. It's going to be the most polished, most radio-ready EP yet. A lot of things have been happening and I just feel like I am starting to get a lot more recognition around Philly so this album is coming at the right time I think.
O: When you were traveling around the world did you pick places that you wanted to tour or was it more that you were traveling around and try to find gigs in the places that you were?
RT: Most of the places I've been weren't the type of places you would set up a tour necessarily because a lot of them are in Asia so mostly I would go and hussle gigs. But since I've done a bunch of travel I have gotten pretty good at figuring that stuff out. If I showed up in a town that looked like it had bars that would have music I would just walk around during the day with my guitar and try to get in front of a manager. Having a professional card really made a difference because I could hand them this card and they would be like "okay" and I would play them a song. And if I played them a song then they would be hire me because traveling there are a lot of musicians but not that many good musicians. There are a lot of people doing poor Bob Dylan covers.

O: You have been compared to James Taylor and Paul Simon. Is your sound something that you set out to create or is it more of something that just a happened as you were learning?
RT: I don't know, I have just always felt really comfortable playing an acoustic guitar. I play a very percussive style and as an English major, lyrics have always been important to me. That's a genre where lyrics really important and I just like the way it sounds because it is a lot of the music I listen to.
O: When you first came back to the states why did decide on settling back in Philadelphia as opposed to New York or back in California?
RT: Because Philly's great. There are just so many talented musicians and there is a true sense of community. The downside is there aren't a lot of people breaking out of Philly compared to how many great artists there are. I do feel that is a really good place to develop. It's just a place that really cares about art and developing your creative side and there are a lot of people related to that. - Origivation Magazine

Philadelphia based songwriter, Ryan Tennis has been around the world and back. Along the way he's honed his songwriting skills and the result is his self titled release, Ryan Tennis. A five song set, Ryan Tennis features the writer on acoustic guitar and vocals with a variety of talented side players. But it's all to support Tennis' airy, rhythmic songs.

To The Moon is the opening cut and is the most pop sounding of the songs on the CD. "Leave the timing to the moon, Close my eyes and I can feel it now, Cause my time is coming soon," sings Tennis in a soft breathy voice. 17 Years is one of my favorite songs on the CD. The innocence of Tennis' lyric is underscored by his earnest, authentic delivery and the simple arrangement. This is a song from the heart. Headlights begins with a bluesy rhythm but then morphs into a hymn-like chorus as Tennis can't help but feel that there's something that ties us all together.

Ryan Tennis is a very nice opening effort. He has a positive, refreshing take and a fresh voice. His songwriting is honestly effective. As he sings in To The Moon, his time may be coming soon. Check out Ryan Tennis.

- Don Sechelski, The Muses Muse - The Muse's Muse

Born and bred in Philadelphia, this former college All-American traded his football gear for a guitar and life on the road, both solo and with his band, One-Way Ticket. Tennis has drawn comparisons to Paul Simon, Dave Matthews and Amos Lee, but he puts his own twist on things, juxtaposing feel-good melodies with heartfelt lyrics. This five-song EP is a nice introduction, or you can catch him at Puck in Doylestown on April 3. Visit pucklive.com and myspace.com/ryantennismusic. - Main Line Today

Ryan Tennis writes songs and sings them in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas. He just got back from Cambodia doing the same thing. Here he talks about his friends, Walt Disney Enterprises and the day he broke up with his girlfriend, quit his job and started his travelin’ music career. Enjoy.
By Nikki Volpicelli

N: Do you remember when I made you show me your drivers license with your last name on it?
RT: Yeah, that happens a lot, especially in bars. I assume that’s cause people mess with each other more in a bar setting, right? Anyway, my last name is Tennis. I challenge you to come up with a joke I haven’t heard before. My friend, Raph (of the band Hezekiah Jones), thinks I should name my band “Ryan Tennis and the Racket.” I almost agree, but not quite.
N: I still think it’s a fake.

N: Your song “Walk On” is deep and dark and sounds very personal. Can you talk about the story behind it?
RT: Yeah, most of my songs are pretty personal, just some are more allegorical than others. With “Walk On” I woke up one day and decided I wanted to break up with my girlfriend, quit my job, travel internationally and get serious about music, and I put that all in a song. It was a pretty intense day.

N: I would go as far as to say your music sounds like a mix of Paul Simon and Oasis… would you go that far too?
RT: YES!!! You didn’t say Jack Johnson! I actually like Jack Johnson, I just don’t like being compared to him. Instead when asked to describe myself I say Paul Simon. So you’ve won some points with me. I’ve never been that into Oasis, but I think I know what you’re talking about with the simple catchy melodic vocal thing. If you had said Amos Lee I would have hired you as my publicist.

N: How did you learn to play guitar and take such great head shots?
RT: First I gotta give a plug to my cousin/roommate who took all those shots for me (and could take them for you!). Her thing’s called Austin Art. Um, so I learned a little guitar as a kid and I was really into it for a bit in high school, learning from friends, but football took over and I went down the path to jockhood. After college I was like, “Now what?” I got my friend to teach me some Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and Dave Matthews songs and I started exploring my sensitive side. This was long overdue, cause sensitive sides aren’t encouraged on the defensive line.


Photo by Austin Art
N: You don’t seem like a sex, drugs and rock n’ roll type of dude, am I right?
RT: You’re 2/3 wrong.
N: Ohhh. I picture you in more of a “Say Anything” John Cusack movie scene minus the boom box plus a guitar.

N: Have you ever written a song for a special girl, or told a girl she was special and played her a song that you wrote for a different girl?
RT: What a sleazy move. I’ve played a song I wrote for an ex-girlfriend for another girl, but I’ve never been so bold as to claim I wrote it for the new one. They usually like it anyway. I’ve found that even if it’s not a straight love song, girls do love being immortalized in song. It must be a big ego stroke, but I wouldn’t know, cause to my knowledge no one’s ever written a song about me. Wanna try?
N: I once had a boy write a song for me. It was so cute, until I realized I didn’t do anything the girl in the song did.
RT: Tragic.

N: Have you ever thought of selling your song “Owayo” to Disney? I see a Lion King 2 in your future. (editor’s note: they already made LK2. Who knew.)
RT: I’d totally sell it to Disney. Disney songs are great, for the most part. You know that big tribal yell at the beginning of “Circle of Life?” When I was a summer camp counselor I’d do that all the time and get the kids to break into singalongs. I think being a summer camp counselor is maybe my best skill. So yeah, my top three Disney songs are as follows:
1. Trashin the Camp – Tarzan
2. Kiss the Girl – the Little Mermaid
3. The Circle of Life – the Lion King
Honorable mention to “oodelolly oodelolly golly what a day.”

N: You do a lot of covers in addition to your original stuff. Do you think there’s a band or musician out there deserving of a cover band? Like Tom Waits?
RT: There are a lot of great Philly artists whose songs I love to cover, like Amos Lee, Chris Kasper, Hezekiah Jones, and Chris Grunwald. Check those guys out.

N: Will do. When I first met you, I thought you were too happy, optimistic and outgoing to be real. Then I heard about your time with the United Way corporation, and your time spent touring Australia and Asia and I decided to shut up because you have much more life experience than I do. I want to know, after seeing the world for what it is, and seeing the music industry for what it is, how do you stay so upbeat?

RT: I’m not sure I’m that optimistic, I just usually enjoy life. The subtle but important difference is that I’m not bullshitting myself about how screwed up and painful the world is – it’s more that it doesn’t effect my day to day happiness too much. I don’t like to lament - Alternative Moniter

Don't be fooled by his hair. Ryan Tennis is not an insipid amalgamation of Jack Johnson and Justin Beiber. The songs on "Goodbye to the Ground" range in style from gospel to western to sentimental songwriter. At moments the arrangements border on overdone, particularly on "We the People", but overall the album is uplifting and the melodic hooks will keep you singing for days. - Origivation Magazine

If you get a chance to attend one of local singer/songwriter Ryan Tennis’s Clubhouse Concert Party you must. About once a month he brings together a grouping of local up and coming artists to perform their original work as well as perform in a post performance jam session which usually included members of the audience. Ryan encourages as full an interaction as possible between the performers and the audience, adding to the intimacy of the small setting that allows both to get to know each other.

The evening started with Ryan Tennis, Anders Hyatt and Reade McCardell started the evening with selections from their recent “20 song game”. This is an exercise where they each individually attempted to write and record 20 songs in a 12 hour period. The performers brought you into their individual process and really those in attendance a feel for what it takes to create.

Singer/songwriter Brittany Ann Tranbaugh was joined by harpist Paige Marie Setzer creating a spectacularly mellow sound. Brittany was also joined for some songs by a ukulele and at one point what appeared to be her personal chorus. Whether alone with her guitar or through the various accompaniments Brittany reveals a strength in her voice beyond her age. - Origivation Magazine

After a taxi ride pulsing with electric tango and with the likes of Daddy Yankee blasting reggaeton at about 400 decibels from passing cars, going to hear two brothers from Philadelphia playing guitar could have been an incongruous experience.
Instead, the gig – with people dancing between the tables, drinks flowing freely and a raucous mixture of foreigners and locals illustrated not only the welcome reception of outsiders in Buenos Aires but also the similarities between the two musical communities.

Philadelphia Sessions:

The Philadelphia Sessions, touring in South America for the first time this year, is a non-profit organisation created by brother and sister, Brandy and Bill Butler, based on the idea of sharing music and making inter-cultural connections with other musicians around the world.

Instead of simply handing out money, the team help musicians to fundraise and save money for travel and expenses – involving the whole neighbourhood with shows, food and events. This idea of the community is really at the heart of the project.

Ryan Tennis, 30, singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist is the seventh musician to be sent abroad as an ambassador of Philly music and has joined his brother, Bronson, 26, who has lived here for a year playing music and running a successful open mic night in San Telmo. Having played a number of shows together in Buenos Aires with Bronson’s band last week, they’ll set out for Salta before heading back to the city for New Years Eve.

In a welcome counterbalance to pre-fabricated Pop Idol/reality TV-manufactured bands that are currently choking the Western markets, Philly music has to have substance: “People always say that the people in Philly are grumpy and that is kinda true but its’ more that what you see is what you get. If people think you’re being fake they’re not going to buy it – it’s got to be authentic,” says Ryan.
“For better or worse it’s less about image and more about the feel of the music,” says Bronson, who plays bass, talking about music back home from his flat on a blustery afternoon.

Philly Music Scene:

Recently arrived and enjoying the 30 degree temperature rise, he describes the music scene back home for the unenlightened of us whose idea of Philadelphia music is based on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air: “There’s a lot of bluegrass influence and soul – it’s a lot less bullshit and a lot more real than a lot of other cities. One the one hand it’s hard to make it big out of Philly but on the other there’s a community of people who really care about each other.
“Sometimes singer/songwriter music feels like it hasn’t got any balls – it’s too sensitive and doesn’t groove – one big thing is the Philly groove: if you aren’t getting people to nod their heads it’s not doing anything.

Tennis Brothers in Arms:

Hearing them play and harmonize together you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d been practising together since infancy – in fact they say they were “jocks” until the end of university, more interested in wrestling and basketball than key signatures and pitch.

Both had lessons at various times but essentially taught themselves sporadically. As children they grew up singing with their siblings and say the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and the Beach Boys music that was played had an early effect of them. Since then influences like the Dave Mathews Band and Bob Marley have also come into play.

Ryan says, “It was all stuff with heavy harmonies. Having a tight harmony is really important and it’s what we do best together.”

They have a real musical rapport, which Bronson attributes to more than being brothers and having naturally complimentary voices: “I know when he’s going to breathe, when he’s going to get loud and quiet – whether or not I even want to. We know each others’ voices inside out because you hear someone practising the same song like 46 times in an afternoon and can’t help it,” he says as their mother, Kara, who came to visit and support her sons, makes tea.

Buenos/Philly – Buena Onda:

So how does the Philly groove tessellate with the music scene here in Argentina? Bronson says that in his experience Buenos Aires is incredibly receptive to new faces. He abandoned busking on the subte, finding the competition “kind of scary – there’s like a mafia or something that controls who plays”, and started playing gigs.
A year later his open mic night, which brings travellers and locals together to play music every Tuesday night is packed every week. The organic project has been a springboard for new bands and is an opportunity to jam and learn new tricks.

“What Ryan experienced in Philly and what I’ve found here is really the strength of the community and the comeraderie,” says Bronson.

“There are a lot of similarities between Buenos Aires and Philadelphia – what people pay attention to is what you bring and what you’re good at – you’re onda. They’re not worried about where you’re from,” he says.

“I told him and you - The Argentina Independent

Down in Argentina there is a phrase, buena onda. Ryan Tennis describes this as a feeling of good vibes, “If everyone's feeling the music together, smiling and enjoying each other on stage, then that's more important than how tight the band is (although of course we'll strive for both). “ Buena onda can also be applied to Ryan’s feeling about the City of Brotherly Love. While most artists name people who inspire their work, he desribes Philadelphia’s individual groove and the strong sense of community as one of his major influences. “I walk around my neighborhood (South Philly) and sometimes I'm just overwhelmed with love for the physical city itself - the pavement, the old broken buildings, the murals, the people - I just feel like I'm home."
Ryan has just released his sophomore effort entitled Goodbye to the Ground. His recent record release party was held on October 23rd at Yards Brewery in Philly. Even though the evening was about him, Ryan invited his band members to play some of their own material. He has great respect for the people he works with, “All the people in my band have been playing music three times as long as me, so I have to be respectful of who they are, the work they've put in, and the fact that when they play with me, they're giving me something.”
One of the big developments since his first album is his increased ability to bring people together, and not just for his music. “We have a house concert series at my place in South Philly called ‘Clubhouse Concerts.’ We've been lucky to get some great acts - like John Francis, Hezekiah Jones, and Carsie Blanton to name a few - and crowds that include more than just the traditional folk scene. Having a lot of different types of people helps foster a warm, welcoming vibe where music thrives.”
After a few more shows here, Ryan’s next stop will be Buenos Aires. He will be staying with his brother who is also a musician. The two brothers and their band will be heading off to several South American vacation towns including Uruguay. Maybe he’ll bring a little Philly Buena Onda down with him. - TheExaminer.com

Down in Argentina there is a phrase, buena onda. Ryan Tennis describes this as a feeling of good vibes, “If everyone's feeling the music together, smiling and enjoying each other on stage, then that's more important than how tight the band is (although of course we'll strive for both). “ Buena onda can also be applied to Ryan’s feeling about the City of Brotherly Love. While most artists name people who inspire their work, he desribes Philadelphia’s individual groove and the strong sense of community as one of his major influences. “I walk around my neighborhood (South Philly) and sometimes I'm just overwhelmed with love for the physical city itself - the pavement, the old broken buildings, the murals, the people - I just feel like I'm home."
Ryan has just released his sophomore effort entitled Goodbye to the Ground. His recent record release party was held on October 23rd at Yards Brewery in Philly. Even though the evening was about him, Ryan invited his band members to play some of their own material. He has great respect for the people he works with, “All the people in my band have been playing music three times as long as me, so I have to be respectful of who they are, the work they've put in, and the fact that when they play with me, they're giving me something.”
One of the big developments since his first album is his increased ability to bring people together, and not just for his music. “We have a house concert series at my place in South Philly called ‘Clubhouse Concerts.’ We've been lucky to get some great acts - like John Francis, Hezekiah Jones, and Carsie Blanton to name a few - and crowds that include more than just the traditional folk scene. Having a lot of different types of people helps foster a warm, welcoming vibe where music thrives.”
After a few more shows here, Ryan’s next stop will be Buenos Aires. He will be staying with his brother who is also a musician. The two brothers and their band will be heading off to several South American vacation towns including Uruguay. Maybe he’ll bring a little Philly Buena Onda down with him. - TheExaminer.com

"I have seen over 500 acts during my time running this event, and Ryan
Tennis is among the best. He's a great songwriter and has a wonderful voice. He reacts fabulously with the crowd and he's unique in his ability to get a laugh just as easily as a tear (and he's a nice guy as well)."
- Keith Armitage, Songwriters Live, Sydney, Australia

“Ryan Tennis' songwriting inspired by a young heart, an old soul, and a passion for music. We've had the pleasure of listening to this East Coaster carve his own path in the local San Diego scene. Whether he is playing solo or with his group, One-Way Ticket, he is able to pull the audience in for a great musical trip.”

- Jason Riehl

TNL Entertainment Inc. - TNL Entertainment

Ryan Tennis writes very good songs that stay with you for days. His memorable, melodic hooks are delivered with humble passion. - ListenLocalSanDiego.com, Cathryn Beeks