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West coast singer Ryan McMahon heading to Ponoka in March

B.C. singer Ryan McMahon has described himself as a late bloomer when it comes to his musical career - but there's no doubt the superbly-talented musician has made up for any 'lost' time.

Local folks will see this firsthand as McMahon performs at the Ponoka United Church on March 10, with showtime set for 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at the church office (Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or online from kfatheatre.com. 

"I do consider myself a late bloomer because in my case, I tried on a lot of different musical hats early on, to try and find my way," he said.

"So I think it took me a little longer than some singer/songwriters to find my own voice - to relax and lean into pulse of it," he added. "But once I did find it, I started working really, really fast. And it all made sense."

Today, his music is a compelling blend with distinct splashes of rock, country, folk, blues, Americana, and roots. His vocal strengths match the seamless mix of genres perfectly - and it's all fuelled further by his striking ability to pen insightful, engaging songs that speak volumes on a number of levels.

Looking back, he discovered guitar in his teens, but really, for McMahon, it's been mostly about singing and of course songwriting.

"I was a singer for some rock bands in high school, and when it came time to start writing my own songs and putting together the arrangements, I just found it increasingly frustrating trying to explain to another band member - who was the guitar player - where I hoped to see the song go.

"I was like, I guess I'm going to have to learn this instrument," he added with a laugh.

Beyond that, he found living the life of a musician to be such a natural course to take.

"And here we are, 25 years later!"

Indeed. Since 2006  the Ladysmith, B.C. based artist has released seven albums under his own name, and two with his side project Lion Bear Fox.

He has also landed multiple Vancouver Island Music Awards and supporting slots for everyone from Lisa Loeb to Nickelback, including tours with such legends as Burton Cummings and Tom Cochrane.

"Someone asked me recently what I liked better - the inception of a song; sitting in my kitchen and getting the lines out, or did I like performing better. I really couldn't pick because I love both of those things so intensely. But as a song comes to be, I do love that solitary process.

"I love the process of being alone, here in my house on Vancouver Island, and writing my truths. However, I also love taking those songs back onstage and seeing how they can move an audience, and what can I say to set the song up and make people laugh? Or tell a really vulnerable story about why the song exists. How can I communicate with them? That is amazing as well."

Meanwhile, his latest record is 2023's Live Now, the creation of which began in early 2022 with the recording of One More Fire - arranged through the help of popular country artist Aaron Pritchett.

"To have someone like him in my corner - he's been a wonderful friend," he said.  

The collaboration proved an inspiring milestone in the creation of Live Now. And it's the sheer sense of authenticity McMahon brings to his craft that fires up the foundation of the project overall.

It all goes back to finding one's own voice.

"It's one of the most difficult parts of my own journey and story," he explained. "I think there were times in my career where I tended to take a look at what was going on around me in the Canadian music scene too much, and the world music scene, and then go, 'Well, I can be that, or I could be this'. 

"What happens is you can accidentally be impressionistic when you aren't even trying to be," he added. "I'm 45 now, so I'm more talking about my 20s and my 30s," he said, adding there are distinct influences surfacing in his early projects from The Hip to that raw 'Seattle' sound that was all the rage during his high school years.

"Once I started leaning into (my) flaws, and the characteristics of what makes up what and who I am, and embracing that rather than running away from it, I think it was just such a 'a-ha' moment for me. It was so freeing - I sound how I sound. 

"I remember feeling my shoulders relaxing - this is me, and people will love it, or they will not. And that is okay," he said.

One of the best parts? Sharing his work and seeing its effect on listeners. 

"It's immediate, and whatever I do is going to get an immediate reaction. And that reaction is going to be different depending on the strength of my delivery that night, and the vibe of the room and the audience. There are so many variables that decide how the song is going to be delivered."

It just never becomes a dusty routine. McMahon is invested in what has evolved into a personal - and most rewarding - journey.

"I love that it's going to be different every night," he noted. "And it might even be a song that I've been playing since 2005."

Again, tickets are available at the church office or onine from kfatheatre.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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