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Life Is Beautiful

by Matthew Ryan

supported by
dogs-in-space
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dogs-in-space To my ear, I hear the always wonderful Matthew Ryan, infused with the magical filigree of Paul Buchanan and The Blue Nile. These tracks are beautiful. Thank you.
nashvillephan
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nashvillephan Matthew Ryan has the ability to reach into your heart, and soul, and mind, and pull out what lingers there and give it life. He can either rock it into existence or gently breathe it into existence with haunting and soft tones and a hushed voice colored by grit, experiences, friends and loves lost and found, and his own truth. This music is no different. Matthew Ryan is a tragically underrated artist. This world would be a better place if more were in touch with his repertoire and its truths.
Mitchell Ure
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Mitchell Ure Hey, if anyone hasn’t said it yet: you’re a wonderful human being. Thank you.
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1.
Don’t Say Goodbye Yet  Let’s talk My old friend There’s a certain light Where the road ends But don’t say goodbye yet No don’t say goodbye yet It goes so quick It’s already gone But feeling understood That’s heaven’s arms So here’s to the kitchen table And those noisy stairs And here’s to music And any magic That fills the air And don’t say goodbye yet It’s war and peace All the time And it’s more than words That need a rhyme So many lonely miles So many nights But when the lights of home appear  Mercy on mercy  What a sight  So don’t say goodbye yet No don’t say goodbye yet
2.
Untitled Verses for Distances From on our street We disappeared In 19 months Maybe the clear  But some are gone It’s someone’s fault He shrugged and walked That stupid walk Sometimes I wave Across the yard When Frank waves back It looks so hard  I saw a deer Last night at dusk I said don’t go He said I must But I recall When we would smile We stayed like that For quite a while Now summer’s here And autumn too Ice everywhere  No spring in view We’re all alone We’re only songs The band packed up We sang along The stars are dead The night has blurred One buffalo Said have you heard? We’re beautiful Cause we’re so blind We think we’re brave We fall in line I stood outside You by my side We watched the snow You said let’s try It makes no sense It’s such a gift But we let go And just like this And just like this You understand It’s up to us There is no plan And just like this You understand It’s up to us Woman and man But I recall When we would smile We stayed like that For quite a while
3.
Tyrone 07:11
Tyrone Tyrone Laid down In the grass By the sound Of what was A quiet night Kind of cool For July His mom Inside her phone She’s never really Been alone There’s a fence Around our dreams And what it is  Is what it seems Headphones on An evening walk Makes this place A kind of waltz Even here Even anywhere  You can feel the world In the air Every day Running hard Not just enough Not catching up Claude Debussy  And Isaac Hayes Neither knew What to say So many questions Not just a feel Take the stairs If they’re real Ah we get these moments We almost see Above the ocean Beyond the trees  And even still All this time There’s this war Yours and mine You have to wonder What’s been achieved  If every prisoner Still believes  A little more  And I’ll be free A little more And I’ll be free A little more And a little more Tyrone walks Through the door Maybe tomorrow  Maybe soon Don’t look in November  For what you were in June The music brought A hope so calm All Tyrone said Was I love you Mom And all Tyrone said Was I love you Mom
4.
5.

about

“These three haunting, hushed songs were produced by Matthew Ryan in and from isolation, and are so intimate you can almost feel his breath as he sings. The first songs he’s ever fully written and composed on piano, they shimmer with the sorrow and sadness of this very broken year, but they're not just about this present moment - they can be as big or small as you need. Whatever form they take, they’re a wonderful and necessary reminder that hope and beauty always exist - no matter how hard you may have to search for them. And that’s what makes life beautiful.”

— Mischa Pearlman (Writer, Journalist, Poet and Friend)


And from yours truly...

I loved sitting at the piano and writing these. It’s been such a hard year. This for me was like finding switches that lit certain constellations at night. I can’t know how you’ll receive them. I can only hope that these songs and their wide minimalism offer to you some version of what they gave to me: A place for my anger, hope and sorrow, and an embattled but resilient faith in each other.

I couldn't have done this without my friends, they all have such specific talents and were so generous. So please understand, I share this with gratitude under my own name. But enormous thanks goes to Clay, David, Dylan, Gillian, Hans, Jack, Joe, Molly, Neilson and my family.

I hope you, the listeners and friends of this music, enjoy it. As always I hope they become good companions.

credits

released November 25, 2020

Produced by Matthew Ryan

Recorded by Dylan Alldredge at Skinny Elephant (Nashville, TN)
David Ricketts recorded his parts at his home in Los Angeles, CA
Molly Thomas recorded her parts at Blue Print Studio (Point Clear, AL)
Mixed by Neilson Hubbard at Mr. Lemons (Franklin, KY)
Mastered by Hans DeKline

Cover Art by Frankie Fingers with the help of
Gillian Stoll & Joe Maiocco

The beautiful photo on the cover was generously allowed for use and taken by Jack Spencer. The photo is from his book, This Land. It's available through most fine bookstores everywhere and of course on Amazon.

Thank YOU... A big thank you to my dear friends (Clay, David, Dylan, Hans, Jack, Gillian, Joe, Molly and Neilson) that gave your talents to this. We are at our best when we're collaborating and leaning towards beauty together... And as always, a gigantic thank you to those of YOU who continue to welcome and purchase my work and all music. I means the world to all of us. Thank you. I hope these songs become good companions.

All songs written by Matthew Ryan
Copyright Plastic Violin / BMI 2020

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Matthew Ryan / Strays Don't Sleep / PINES Nashville, Tennessee

In addition to his solo work, Ryan is a member of Strays Don't Sleep with longtime friend, Neilson Hubbard.

In 2021 Ryan decided to offer his solo work as The Pines at Night to clearly enunciate the collaborative nature of his music.

Devotedly independent, Ryan offers moody & honest work that's now rich with a long list of beautiful songs.
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