Kentucky Native Praised by Saving Country Music, Wide Open Country, The Boot
NASHVILLE, Tenn., — Today, soulful Kentucky songstress, Rhyan Sinclair releases her highly anticipated debut album, Barnstormer. Recorded in both Nashville with Sean Giovanni at The Record Shop and Lexington, Kentucky with Jason Groves at Sneak Attack Recording Co. , Sinclair’s desire to make a deeply personal connection with listeners is evident by her thoughtful lyrics and refined harmonies.
Barnstormer has been praised by Wide Open Country, Nashville’s WMOT Roots Radio, The Boot, and Saving Country Music, who listed it as “one of the most anticipated albums for 2018.” An in-store performance and signing event at Nashville’s Grimey’s New & Preloved Music will take place today at 5pm ct.
Barnstormer opens with “From Here,” a lament that is thick with pedal steel and regret. In contrast, the track “Barnstormer” calls to mind the feisty sides of Miranda Lambert and Dixie Chicks, whom Sinclair cites as influences. She also notes thatBarnstormer has hints of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, as well as stylists like Smokey Robinson, Band of Horses, Chris Isaak, Norah Jones, Beck, and Lone Justice’s Maria McKee.
Sinclair feels an undeniable pull to country music, especially from the classic artists who made their mark before she was born. One of the primary influences for the Barnstormer, is the 1987 album Trio, recorded by Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt.Trio’s acoustic palette is echoed throughout the album.
Sinclair co-produced Barnstormer , acknowledging that her collaborators Giovanni and Groves respected her opinion and vision. “Being young and female, I know that isn’t always the case and I was so fortunate to work with great people,” she says. She worked with Giovanni in Nashville on the title track as well as “Kentucky Night Sky.”
One of the most uplifting tracks on the album is ironically titled “The Sad Song.” She explains, “I think there is such an underrated joy that can be found in sad songs because someone out there can relate to that sadness and it can make them feel less alone. There is so much beauty in that.”
Listen closely to the lyrics of Barnstormer and a portrait of a young traveler emerges. “Old Lost Town” explores what might happen if she could ever get out of her hometown, while “What Time Is It in California?” finds her contemplating a pivotal visit to the West Coast. That wandering spirit is key to Sinclair’s musical perspective.
“I want to travel to as many different places as humanly possible,” she says. “I definitely feel an overwhelming sense of home when I’m on the road. There’s such a sense of freedom in it and I think it’s where I feel most inspired.”
Sinclair concludes Barnstormer with “Free at Last,” featuring vocals and fiddle from Lillie Mae, Eliza Mary Doyle of The Dead South on banjo, and Sinclair’s mother, Toni Karpinski on vocals.
Although Sinclair’s musical direction has taken a number of turns as she’s matured, one thing has remained steady – her desire to make a deeply personal connection with listeners.
“I hope people know that I can be counted on to share raw emotions, whether it’s heartbreak or joy,” she says. “I just want it to feel as real and intimate to someone listening to the album as it felt to me when I wrote it.”
Barnstormer is now available on all digital platforms.
For more information, visit https://www.rhyansinclair.com
Sinclair hits the road this summer in support of the Barnstormer release.
Tour Dates:
June 22 In Store Concert Grimey’s New & Preloved Music
June 23 – Nashville, TN – The Local (album release show)
June 24 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
Jun 27 – Featured Songwriter Round at Millenium Maxwell House Hotel
July 1 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
July 7 – Knoxville, TN – Last Days of Autumn Brewery
July 8 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
July 14 – Loretta Lynn’s Ranch – Event Venue, Campgrounds, Tourism Destination
July 20 – Richmond, KY – Richmond Centre Summer Concert Series
July 22 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
Aug 5 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
Aug 9 – London, KY – Summer Concert Series
Aug 19 – Pourhouse Nashville Summer Residency