WILLIAM RYAN KEY Releases Single “Downtown (Up North)”

Second Solo EP VIRTUE Out November 30th
Pre-Order: http://shop.williamryankey.com/

On Tour with Mayday Parade

When WILLIAM RYAN KEY’s new single “Downtown (Up North)” begins with its acoustic guitar pluckings, the emotional ripple is immediate and enveloping. But when the cello hits, it becomes an overwhelming tsunami. Taken from his second solo EP VIRTUE (release date: November 26, 2018 via The Lone Tree Recordings), “Downtown (Up North)” continues in Ryan’s progression forward from former Yellowcard frontman to full-fledged solo musician, thrusting him into a raw and intimate space that highlights his immaculately-crafted songwriting.

Lyrically hearkening the strains of new romantic longing, “Downtown (Up North)” is a song enraptured in emotion and intimacy. The music itself has special resonance for Ryan as well. “Working on ‘Downtown (Up North)’ was one of the coolest experiences of my musical career,” he recalls. “For many years now the music I listen to the most has been post rock and instrumental. One of my favorite and most influential artists is Hammock. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Marc Byrd, one of the founding members, since I’ve moved to Franklin, TN. When I started writing for Virtue and had the demo for ‘Downtown’, I sent it to Marc and asked if he’d be interested in producing some cello for the song. I ended up getting to work with him and Hammock’s cellist, Matt Slocum [Sixpence None the Richer] on the track. I feel so lucky to get to work and collaborate with artists that inspire me. “

His second solo EP, Virtue continues the songwriting journey that Ryan began with his surprise EP Thirteen which was released earlier this Summer.  While the former EP embraced uncertainty and nervous energy of taking a step into new and uncharted territory, Virtue posits Ryan onto firmer ground with a newfound confidence in his own abilities as a songwriter.  As leader of one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the last two decades, he was able to feel the united front of his Yellowcard bandmates.  But now, as a solo musician, he has presented a vulnerable side that isn’t scared of tapping into his inner feelings and thoughts. “With Virtue, I wanted to explore and expand on the sound I’ve discovered both musically and lyrically,” he says. “Similar to my first release, all of the songs came together in such a spontaneous manner. The recording sessions were very much driven by capturing what felt right in the moment, and moving on to the next idea.”

Largely anchored in and around NYC landmarks (Broadway, The Bowery, The Turnpike, Downtown, and Upstate all make cameos), Virtue kicks off with the textural piano-led instrumental track “The Same Destination”, something that Yellowcard has played with on past releases.  As an intro track, it recalls that for fans but more importantly, it establishes a texture and tone that continues throughout the six-track EP. The epic title track revisits a breakup and the grief-stricken pain of watching the other person move on (“You shed your skin and leave it behind”) to a soaring swell of keyboards and bassdrums. The closing track “No More, No Less” continues the swell and fades to a cathartic percussive coda with Ryan closing out the song with the cryptic couplet, “Am I gonna survive when I’m out in the wild, am I gonna belong? / Am I gonna behave, am I looking to stay when a reckoning comes?”

Like a proud father, looking back at his progeny, Ryan concludes, “I’m really proud of these songs, and I can’t wait for people to hear them.”

Virtue will be released November 26, 2018 via The Lone Tree Recordings.

1. The Same Destination
2. Mortar and Stone
3. The Bowery
4. Virtue
5. Downtown (Up North)
6. No More, No Less

 

TOUR DATES

	9 Oct	Dallas, TX	House Of Blues
	11 Oct	Phoenix, AZ	The Van Buren
	12 Oct	Las Vegas, NV	Vinyl- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
	14 Oct	San Diego, CA	House Of Blues
	16 Oct	Anaheim, CA	House Of Blues
	17 Oct	Berkeley, CA	UC Berkeley
	18 Oct	Sacramento, CA	Ace Of Spades
	20 Oct	Portland, OR	Wonder Ballroom
	21 Oct	Seattle, WA	The Showbox
	23 Oct	Salt Lake City, UT	The Complex
	24 Oct	Denver, CO	Summit Music Hall
	26 Oct	Chicago, IL	House Of Blues
	27 Oct	Milwaukee, WI	The Rave
	28 Oct	St Louis, MO	The Pageant
	30 Oct	Minneapolis, MN	First Avenue
	1 Nov	Cincinnati, OH	Bogarts
	2 Nov	Royal Oak, MI	Royal Oak Theatre
	3 Nov	Cleveland, OH	Agora Theatre
	4 Nov	Columbus, OH	Newport Music Hall
	6 Nov	Pittsburgh, PA	Stage AE
	7 Nov	Toronto, ON	Rebel
	8 Nov	Buffalo, NY	Town Ballroom
	9 Nov	Sayreville, NJ	Starland Ballroom
	10 Nov	Boston, MA	House Of Blues
	13 Nov	New York, NY	Playstation Theatre
	14 Nov	Philadelphia, PA	The Filmore
	15 Nov	Silver Springs, MD	Filmore Silver Spring
	16 Nov	Charlotte, NC	The Filmore
	17 Nov	Atlanta, GA	Masquerade
	18 Nov	Nashville, TN	Marathon Music Works
	20 Nov	Jacksonville, FL	Mavericks
	21 Nov	Tampa, FL	The Ritz Ybor
	23 Nov	Lake Buena Vista, FL	House Of Blues
	24 Nov	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Revolution Live