We had a great few years. We really do thank all of you who came out to shows and bought records.

Please check out Sleep Study, a band that Cory Eischen and Ryan Paul have been working on. They debut June 24.

“Ryan Paul & The Ardent, whose tune has changed recently from moody to majestic and is definitely one to watch in 2011.” – Twin Cities Metromix

As a songwriter, I have gone through several phases. When this band started up, I was writing Americana/alt-country music. Most of those tunes were put on our first record, La Vita Nuova. In early 2010, I was writing music that took us far enough away from the Americana genre, that a complete reformat was necessary. In order to document that change, we tracked Cute Souvenirs Session EP in a quick 10 hour session.

At the start of 2011, I found myself with a new batch of songs. I guess I’m not even sure how to sum them up. I had assumed that I was moving in the same bracket that held songs from Cute Souvenirs. However, upon debuting two of the songs at The Southern Songbook, co-host and friend, Adam Levy said, “Judging by this new batch of songs, I think you have moved into a good place.” The (above) quote from Metromix came shortly after.

Could it be that different? Maybe it’s not. I’m not sure if I am growing into something or if I am moving through another phase. Either way, I am having fun sorting through these new compositions with the band. We’ve just begun toying with them. There is really no telling where they can go…

I invite you to judge for yourself. Please stream and download a recent show FOR FREE.

Super cool, right? It get’s cooler…

After that, the LOL/OMG blog pointed us out as one of the best listed in the (above) nominations. Lookee here

With their carefully-crafted lyrics and stunningly perfect arrangements, Ryan Paul and The Ardent are a band steeped in timelessness. You’ve heard things like this before, but never like this; never this good. Another one of our faves locally, RPandTA make some of the best straightforward rock ‘n roll you’ve been missing out on. Listen to and vote for Ryan Paul and The Ardent here.

So, we are asking that you take a few seconds out of your day and give us a vote?

On February 14, I will be playing the Southern Songbook. This show will house many of my favorite songwriters in Minneapolis as well as the Hieruspecs acting as the backing band. What a thrill! So, here is the video of my first (and only) rehearsal for this killer show.

Fun facts about 2010:

1. In 2010, Ryan Paul & The Ardent rehearsed for a total of 45 minutes…
2. Having rehearsed 45 minutes, we introduced a handful of new tunes
3. None of those tunes were gone through at that rehearsal

There’s a new boss in town…
At the end of 2009, I was in meetings with Invisible Button Entertainment and turned control over to Lily Troia on January 1st of 2010. With Lily taking a great deal of responsibility from my shoulders, I was able to discern where I wanted the band’s sound to go. After conferring with mentors and band members, prayer and reflection on the previous year, I decided to ask my friend Cory Eischen to play keyboards and to help me define some of the noise that was going on in the back of my head.

It’s like a piano, but goes weeeoooo…
Cory Eischen took the call, took the job, and was thrown into his first show without a rehearsal. He was then thrown into six months of shows without practice. Cory will tell you that this is not how he would’ve planned it. It wasn’t ideal for the band either, but it was how the calendar worked for us. On top of the heavy gigging schedule, we pulled Cory into the studio in February with 10 hours to perfect an EP.

10 hours…
After discussion with Invisible Button, we decided it was important to document the changes in the band with a studio project. We went on to track Cute Souvenirs EP, which was tracked and mixed in 10 hours. Believe me, I would have liked more time, but we had very little cash to make this thing happen.

In the humblest of places…
It’s funny how you meet heroes in the strangest places. Almost none of my favorite stories start out with a band playing their dream show and were suddenly met by an industry professional or legend. No, in fact they all seem to happen under the worst circumstances. Such is the case with my meeting Al Kooper.
We were playing at Palmer’s in the West Bank, on the floor, with no drummer (and a drum machine to fill in) and hardly playing our best. Of course, Mr. Al Kooper walked in with Lily and Adam Levy. After our set, Al asked to speak to me. The first words out of my mouth were “We didn’t have a drummer.” I am guessing you can imagine Al’s response.
My relationship with Al continues to this day and he has been a valuable source of insight (being that he is usually the first to hear my songs when I record them in my living room in the middle of the night).

I love lists. I’d like to give you two:

Top 5 Shows of 2010:

1. EP Release concert at Bryant Lake Bowl Theatre (July 1, 2010)
   - Amazing performance by Zoo Animal. We were joined by Janey Winterbauer, Alexander Young, and Mark Shwandt on stage. Sold out performance.
2. Salvation Army Benefit at Aster Cafe (November 11, 2010)
   - Alpha Consumer + Dosh and Minor Kingdom played killer sets. We raised hundreds of dollars for Salvation Army. Sold out performance.
3. Jennefit, a benefit for Jenn Barnett at the Turf Club (March 26, 2010)
   - Too many amazing artists to list participated in this show. Lots of money was raised for a great artist. Jeremy Ylvisaker helped us kill our set.
4. Palmers with Patches & Gretchen (April 29, 2010)
   - Not many people at this show. Steve Goold couldn’t make it. We set up on the modest floor of Palmers. But then Al Kooper walked in…
5. ARTCRANK 2010 at Shelter Studios (April 10, 2010)
   - I don’t think we’ve ever played for as many people. The mood was right. The art was great.  It was too much fun!

Top 5 covers of 2010:

1. “You Never Give Me Your Money” – The Beatles (video)
   -Sung with Janey Winterbauer. We love her so.
2. “Death of a Disco Dancer” – The Smiths (video)
   -At the Jennefit, Jeremy Ylvisaker and Steve made this song cruise!
3. “Pictures of You” – The Cure (audio)
   -I am unblushingly affectionate about The Cure and this song has been a pleasure to play.
4. “What Goes On” – The Velvet Underground (video)
   -While it is impossible to do Lou justice, it is a blast to try.
5. “Untitled 101″ – Peter Wolf Crier (audio)
   -Is it lame to cover your friends? Possibly, but I couldn’t resist.

My favorite moment of 2010: Here you go.

2011…
I believe in setting goals. I know that no goal can be met without a solid plan. In the last three months, I have been developing methods to achieve the (possibly lofty) marks I have set for this band for the upcoming year. I realize that I am just one person and that it will take a community to make all of these aspirations a reality.
I am humbled by the talent that I have in place in THE ARDENT. I am grateful for the skills and talents of Lily Troia. I am fortunate to have friends in this city who are talented enough and embody the know-how to get things done.
Charles Youel from ARTCRANK said, “I can’t help it. I know cool people.” in one of our recent discussions. Charles does know cool people. And I know cool people too (Charles is one of them) and I think it is time to start asking for input from that solid group. Our 2011 release is planned to be done at several different studios around Minneapolis. Because of a tight budget, we will be producing the record ourselves, but Adam Levy has graciously offered to swing by and give us tips and pointers as we go along. One of the studios we had planned on working with was Instrument Control studios in St. Paul. That studio was raided and robbed on Christmas day. Please help in the search for that equipment.
rp

Click for Details

Then, on December 17th, I (Ryan) will join The Honeydogs at The Dakota. Adam has asked me to join them on one of theirs and… one of my own! Other musicians include: Janey Winterbauer, Martin Devaney, Savannah Smith.

Reserve tickets and a table now at www.dakotacooks.com or call 612-332-5299.

Friday, December 17, 2010
7:00pm
$15

Have a safe and meaningful holiday season! We will see you again in January at the Aster Cafe with Grant Cutler… WOOT!
.rp

In honor of Veteran’s Day, Invisible Button Entertainment partners with the Salvation Army to present a special charity music event at the Aster Cafe featuring acclaimed local indie artists Ryan Paul & The Ardent, Minor Kingdom and Jeremy Ylvisaker.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the VET Housing Program which provides vital housing and social services to homeless veterans transitioning into self-sufficiency.

In addition, Invisible Button Entertainment will match all ticket sale donations. Space is limited so please make reservations at the Aster Cafe. This event is brought to you by Invisible Button Entertainment, Ryan Paul & The Ardent, The Salvation Army and the Aster Cafe.

November 11, 2010
9:00 pm
Aster Cafe
125 SE Main Street

Tickets:
$7 / $5 with donation of bathroom or
kitchen utensils
Reserve a seat at:
Aster Cafe | 612.379.3138

So there are the official details on the event we have coming up on November 11th. What you don’t know is that Lily Troia of Invisible Button Entertainment asked me what I wanted to do for my (ahem) 3oth birthday. I told her that I wanted to do some kind of show and that I wanted to do something decent for my community.

Lily took both of those requests and paired them with a benefit show for a VET house in Minneapolis that gives aid to homeless veterans. Many of these veterans suffer from addiction issues, which is something that is very near and dear to my heart. I was absolutely thrilled to hear about this AND that Invisible Button will be matching the money raised at the event!

Then the billing finalized with RPTA playing with Minor Kingdom (a band I have enjoyed playing with over the last few months) and one of my oldest friends (and musical hero #2 – after Morrissey) Jeremy Ylvisaker.

Top it off with us playing at The Aster Cafe, which is owned and run (from top to bottom) by many of my closest pals.

I urge you to get your reservations and come out for this incredible evening of music (and we’ll raise a few bucks for a good cause!).

Early Show on Saturday and it’s FREE!!

• 7:00 – Ashleigh Still
• 8:00 – Ryan Paul & The Ardent
• 9:00 – The Oh Eeks

At Hell’s Kitchen