RYAN TOWNSEND
Ryan Townsend is a musician, singer/songwriter and music instructor based in Nyack, NY. He writes and performs both original and cover songs bringing his music to a loyal ever-growing fan base. A hard working artist who has lived a life full of storytelling and musicianship. Having played in a host of bands, as well as focused his energy toward his own solo work, it’s Townsend's acoustic-driven alternative blend of roots rock that define his soulful, yet beautifully gritty sound
Over the past 15 years he has amassed a widespread catalog of music which he has recorded, produced, and published. He performs regularly for public and private events all across the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
Ryan is also an experienced music instructor who has been teaching for the past 20 years. He gives lessons in music performance, theory, and composition. He is specialized in guitar, piano, drums, voice, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, violin, cello, harmonica, and saxophone.
He first began to give music lessons while completing a BFA in Arts Management at Long Island University. His passion for music, proficiency and patience have yielded a long lasting career, which has encompassed hundreds of students teaching at a variety of Rockland County studios, including Village Music (New City, NY) and R&R Music School (Congers, NY).
In 2018 he opened RCT Music Group, specializing in music lessons, songwriting and music production workshops, recording, and live music booking services. Situated at the top of Main Street the studio has become a staple in the Nyack river town community. Ryan's goal is to always make a positive impact on others through his music, and to inspire creativity and passion.
Townsend’s own compositions emanate a sonic blend of emotions with heavy influence by the likes of Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, and Chris Stapleton. Spirited guitar work, ambient textures, and a uniquely fervent voice are what make Ryan’s original and cover music truly his own.
His songs have even been featured in the Lionsgate feature film Living Will, and on commercials for PBR on NBC Sports Network.
Debuting in 2007 with, The Strangest Tribe, Townsend first gained appreciation when his song “High Street” placed in the finals of the 2008 Billboard Songwriting contest. Soon after he was performing in and around New York City both solo and with a revolving line up of musicians, who helped contribute to his follow up 2008 release, Pieces. In 2011 Townsend produced another album of solo material entitled Prelude. The album was recorded with Yan Falmagne and mixed along with award winning engineer Andrew Cardenas.
In the jam-rock band Fever Train Townsend helped release two studio albums, Fever Train and Tomorrow, and enjoyed successful gigs as the headliners for national acts like Donna Jean Godchaeux (Grateful Dead), Questlove (the Roots), Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic), and Leo Nocentelli (The Meters).
Ryan later performed alongside bandmate Ryan Marks as an acoustic duo under the name R&R, where they enjoyed a regular residency at the comedy club Levity Live opening up for touring comics like Amy Schumer, Carlos Mencia, Rosie O'Donnell, Pauly Shore, and Rob Schneider.
His next venture was with the group project Boxing the Needle. As the bands singer and guitarist Townsend worked to release the LP Collide with producer/engineer John Siket, whose work’s include albums with Phish and Dave Matthews Band.
Shortly after Townsend released “Only You” a cover song recorded and produced at RCT Music Group, which featured a duet with vocalist Natasha DiMarco. The track was mixed and co-produced by BKorn, whose work with Travis Scott led to a Grammy nomination. Following the single was the release of the EP Sometimes, which featured additional collaborations with BKorn, as well as, filmmaker Maskim Akelin on the music video for The Wind.
Townsend’s most recent endeavors include the 2020 album Waiting For the Flood , singles "Don’t Ya Let ‘Em Go," "I’ve Got Dreams to Remember," and the upcoming December 2022 single release “I’ll Wait On.”
Ryan remains dedicated to creating soulful sounds and continues to collaborate with passionate musicians who share his appreciation for the craft. He is currently working on two projects in production including a new full length album of original songs due in late 2023 and the album Infinite Acoustic, a live collection of intimate acoustic covers.