Ryland Moranz

Ryland Moranz was born a singer-songwriter.

His first band was formed shortly after his second birthday and was principally staffed by his German accented grandmother, who played the recorder, and an opinionated cat named Stella. Now, 26 years later Ryland has been a working, touring musician for over a decade, playing and recording in multiple genres both as a solo and as a member of the band Sophmore Jakes, traveling from Whistler BC to Montreal QC.

Rylands concise and lyrically driven songwriting is deep beyond his years with an emphasis on storytelling and an increasing awareness that life is always bigger than you think it is. Sometimes politically satirical and often offset with fun loving humor, Rylands wit and social conscience shine through in the well crafted vernacular of a songwriter that has found their voice. Accompanying himself with acoustic and electric guitar, tenor guitar, Harmonica, Piano, mandolin, button accordion and banjo, his multi instrumental approach provides the a great foil to the words he puts to paper.

Ryland has shared the stage with great acts like Luke Doucet, Captain Tractor, the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, John Wort Hannam, C.R. Avery, Reuben and the Dark, Bend Sinester, 100 Mile House, Andrew Allen, Mark Sadlier-Brown, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, The Weber Brothers, Rob Szabo, the United Steelworkers of Montreal, Sean Brewer, Wendy Mcniel, The Deep Dark Woods, Shout Out Out Out Out, and Soulja Fyah.

He has also had the privilege of hosting a songwriting workshop with Luke Doucet and Rob Szabo in 2007 at southern Albertas own South Country Fair.

In 2013 Ryland recorded the album Another One About Flowers with his mother and sister. The album was recorded and produced by Victoria born Leeroy Stagger at Rebeltone Ranch studio in Lethbridge, Ab.

Rylands parents, both of whom are musicians involved in Canadian music culture, have had a profound influence on him. His mother imparted to him that music should be creative and from the heart, and his father showed him the importance of the space between the notes, and by staying honest with yourself your music will be honest too. These lessons were well rounded by Rylands discovery many years later of the great Joe Strummer and the Clash, who through his own musical education imparted to him a great truth in songwriting,

The words you speak should always mean something.