Zoe Ryan
“I believe it’s all a dream and the more we wake the more we dream”
Zoe Ryan
Supporting Fahrenheit 43 at Curtin Bandroom
29 Lygon St, Carlton
Thursday 22 October
Acoustic singer-songwriter Zoe Ryan impressed in her first Melbourne show, at the Curtin Bandroom last Thursday 22nd October supporting Fahrenheit 43. Zoe’s initial nerves were evident but not intrusive, and early minor fumbles quickly gave way to musical precision and a truly impressive show marked by vocal strength and lyrical substance.
Opening with a honeyed version of Jason Mraz’s Halfway There, Zoe interspersed her set of original material with covers. Even the Mraz cover and a version of the Kooks’ Naive, had a special resonance. However, when Zoe began her first self written number Waiting, she proved that the addition of recognisable material was unnecessary to maintain audience interest. Her original songs were immediate and powerful, because they were so evidently heartfelt and personal; consequently invested with emotion. The lyrical content varied from high school graduation to messages of peace and activism – the latter never crossing the line to become preachy or overbearing.
Beautiful Mistake dealt with misguided love in a beautifully sensitive and self aware way. The self-declared Ben Harper-esqe Here We Stand showcased Zoe’s more stripped back and melancholy side. The minimal words and music kept their distance from one another, to haunting effect.
Penultimate song Face The World displayed Zoe’s ability to seamlessly couple Waifs-like storytelling with pitch leaps reminiscent of Ani DiFranco. Her closing song, dealing with change and distance, would fit comfortably into the long tradition of nostalgic backward-looking ballads.
For those of us who struggle with our awe at the ability of musicians to master both vocals and instruments simultaneously, Zoe offers no respite: she makes singing whilst playing guitar look an effortless task. She can hit the high notes with an ease reminiscent of Julia Stone’s ethereal vocals, producing shivers in the listener’s spine.
Zoe is a recent arrival to Melbourne from WA. On the basis of her Curtin show, we would do well to entice her to remain within our borders and to claim her as one of our own.
Zoe Ryan myspace
Curtin Bandroom website
on Oct 25th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Zoe, is one hell of a great lady who has a song writing class that many others could only wish to have. But she still remains a West Aussie. Another Bridgetownian who never stops to amaze us with her very artistic brilliance. “Go Zoe” reach for that dream.
on Oct 28th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Zoe is amazing in everyway and its awesome to see her musical career take off! I had the pleasure of playing in a band with her for a short period of time – watch this lady, she WILL be a star!
ps. there is NO way Melbourne is claiming her – She is a West Aussie through and through!
on Oct 28th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Sorry, she is ours
on Oct 29th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Zoe, you belong to the world, and to yourself. Great songs, looking forward to the album. xxx
on Oct 29th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Zoe……we are very proud of your very promising start in Melbourne. May you go on to great things
on Apr 28th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Zoe, that’s fantastic to hear! I’m sure you’ll be a hit and a wonderful addition to the Melbourne music scene, if not, the world. x