Joseph Michael "Shiny Joe" Ryan (born 23 August 1987) is an Irish-Australian psychedelic rock musician, singer and songwriter. He is the founding mainstay multi-instrumentalist and guitarist of Pond, which have released nine albums. Ryan has issued two solo albums, The Cosmic Microwave Background (30 May 2014) and Shiny's Democracy (23 July 2021).[1] He also does the visuals for fellow Australian band Tame Impala.
Shiny Joe Ryan | |
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 Ryan in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Michael Ryan |
| Also known as | Joseph Orion McJam |
| Born | 23 August 1987 Nenagh, Ireland |
| Origin | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels |
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| Member of | Pond |
Biography
editJoseph Michael Ryan was born on 23 August 1987 in Nenagh, Ireland. At the age of six-and-a-half his family emigrated to Perth.[2]
Mink Mussel Creek
editIn 2007, Shiny Joe Ryan joined the recently formed Mink Mussel Creek on guitar, with Nick Allbrook on vocals, Richard Ingham on synthesisers, Kevin Parker on drums and Steve Summerlin on bass guitar.[3] Mink Mussel Creek recorded an unreleased album in 2008.
Pond
editIn 2008 Ryan, Allbrook and Jay Watson had the idea of an "ego-free project where they were able to get anyone they wanted to play whatever they wanted."[4] That collective, Pond, have released ten albums, Psychedelic Mango (2009), Corridors of Blissterday (2009), Frond (2010), Beard, Wives, Denim (2012), Hobo Rocket (2013), Man It Feels Like Space Again (January 2015), The Weather (May 2017), Tasmania (March 2019), 9 (October 2021), and Stung! (June 2024)
The Cosmic Microwave Background
editOn 30 May 2014 Shiny Joe Ryan digitally released his debut solo album, The Cosmic Microwave Background, in Australia. The album was digitally released worldwide on 14 October 2014. Cosmic microwave background in the title refers to the radiation and energy left behind by the Big Bang. It was self-written over two years and partly-recorded in Ryan's apartment in Berlin.[5][6] The tracks "Holding Out for You" and "Medicine Hat", which were to appear on his album, were released on Pond's Man It Feels Like Space Again.[7] He supported his album with a brief tour of Australia and then returned to his duties with Pond.[5]
TheMusic.com.au's Hannah Story felt The Cosmic Microwave Background was "traditional psych fare in this laidback debut... that roams between genres and sonic textures. Unfortunately Ryan's vocals are weak throughout but this is made up for amply by wailing guitar lines and experiments in instrumentation."[8] His label touted it as a "heart-rending journey of interstellar innocence."[9] While Clare Armstrong of 4ZZZ opined that its "psychedelic pop... [has] just not quite enough that's new or exciting to differentiate it from its contemporaries."[10] Later in 2014 he toured as part of the support crew for Tame Impala, doing their visuals.[2]
Discography
editWith Pond
edit- Psychedelic Mango (2009)
- Corridors of Blissterday (2009)
- Frond (2010) (credited as Joseph Orion McJam)
- Beard, Wives, Denim (2012)
- Hobo Rocket (2013)
- Man It Feels Like Space Again (2015)
- The Weather (2017)
- Tasmania (2019)
- Sessions (2019)
- 9 (2021)
- Stung! (2024)
References
edit- ^ Young, David (23 July 2021). "Pond's Shiny Joe Ryan returns with solo record 'Shiny's Democracy': "Making this album was more about letting the magic happen"". NME. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b Byrne, Robbie (13 February 2015). "Interview: Pond". The Digital Human. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Mink Mussel Creek news merchandise and tours - Spinning Top Music". spinningtopmusic.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ "Pond news merchandise and tours - Spinning Top Music". spinningtopmusic.com. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ a b Niamh (18 July 2014). "'Get Cereal' Interview – Shiny Joe Ryan". The Hoist. SYN. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Shiny Joe Ryan". Unearthed. Triple J. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Interview with Pond's Joe Ryan". colosoul.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ Story, Hannah. "Shiny Joe Ryan The Cosmic Microwave Background". theMusic.com.au. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Shiny Joe Ryan". spinningtopmusic.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ Armstrong, Clare (26 June 2014). "Shiny Joe Ryan: Shiny Joe Ryan & The Cosmic Microwave Background". 4ZZZ. Retrieved 18 October 2015.