Ryan McMahon returns to the Flat for house concert with sixth CD

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Ladysmith/Vancouver Island based folk musician Ryan McMahon returns to Lethbridge in support of his brand new, sixth CD “In Line For A Smile. He plays a special house concert at the Flat, Tuesday, Jan. 22.Ryan mcMahon returns to Lethbridge, Jan. 22. Photo by Ashley Marston
“ It’s great. I’ve played there a couple of times. They’re super nice kids. They cram 40-50 people in to their basement,” he said, adding he enjoys playing house concerts.


“I play about 70 of them a year. When you have  gigs, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and you’re in the same area sitting in the hotel  spending money and food, you might as well play. I’ve played in coffee shops, community halls, churches. I’ll play anywhere you want me too,” he said.


“ Craig Cardiff plays the Flat, that’s probably where I got their contact information,” he said.


He is excited about the new album.
“I’ll be playing about seven of the new songs. They’ve all been road tested a lot. And I’ll be playing some older songs. Tom Petty may even make an appearance,” he said, adding the CD reflects his many influences like  City and Colour and Jackson Browne.

“I try not to wear my influences on my sleeve. But I love City and Colour and I’ll see your Jackson Browne and raise you a Warren Zevon, because I love his lyrics. And while I might not always like the Tragically Hip, I loved Gord Downie’s writing,” he said, adding it is hard to believe, that at age 39, he’s been playing music for 20 years and released six albums.

“I turn 40 this year, and by this time a lot of people are looking for an exit strategy, but I enjoy making music. I’d play the shows for free, but I get paid for the travel, the airports and all the driving,” he said.

 


 He noted the new CD  reflects some of those feelings.


“I came out of a bad place where I socialized, in quotes a little too much,” he said.
“It’s easy to just stay in the hotel room and miss friends and family back home. So I’ve been making a point of getting out and meeting people. If I’m in Revelstoke, I’d go  to a bookstore and just meet people,” he said.


“I also lost a lot of people close to me like my grandpa. So ‘This House Is Not For Sale’ is about his house, where I spent a lot of time in and having to sell it. And the song ‘Mortality’ is about thinking of your mortality as well,” he said.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. beat Editor
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