Биография

Ryan Hamilton may be a late bloomer, but don’t expect the native Texan’s tunes to resemble the 21st century hit parade. “I got a really late start in this business,” says the no-nonsense singer with long sandy brown hair and a flame-singed cowboy hat. “I didn't pick up a guitar till I was about 20.” ’60s and ’70s influences form the foundation on which Ryan Hamilton and The Harlequin Ghosts crafted their debut album for Wicked Cool Records, This Is The Sound. After stints in People On Vacation (with Bowling For Soup’s Jaret Reddick) and Smile Smile, this new phase of Ryan’s career began with a 2016 single “Fuck You Brain” with Ginger Wildheart of The Wildhearts. It got the attention of Wicked Cool honcho Steven Van Zandt, who added it to his Underground Garage playlist – along with songs from Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors’ 2017 album The Devil’s In The Detail. Renewed attention set the stage for a name change, the band reconstituting itself as Ryan Hamilton and The Harlequin Ghosts. Ryan is the band’s only American, the U.K. being home to Mickey Richards (drums), Rob Lane (bass), Carol Hodge (keyboards, backing vocals) and Dave Winkler (lead guitar). Friends of the artist are already singing the album’s praises. “‘This Is The Sound’ is just a great f*cking original song,” declares Adam Duritz (Counting Crows). Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls) says, “Ryan’s spirit shines like there’s no tomorrow,” while Mike Peters of The Alarm calls the record “refreshing and inspirational.”