RYAN HAMILTON AND THE HARLEQUIN GHOSTS
“This generation’s Tom Petty”
Ryan Hamilton & the Harlequin Ghosts: potted history
“This generation’s Tom Petty”: Michael DesBarres (Rock god, Actor, Radio Personality)
Based near Fort Worth, Texas, singer/songwriter Ryan Hamilton released his first solo album, the critically acclaimed ‘Hell of a Day’, back in 2015. Prior to this, Ryan had experienced success across North America and Canada with former band Smile Smile (to be subject of a documentary for a 2020 release).
February 2017 saw the first release under the banner ‘Ryan Hamilton and the Traitors’ – with the album ‘the Devil’s in the Detail’ hailing the introduction of the ‘Traitors’ – UK based band members Mickey Richards on drums and Rob Lane on bass. It was a perfect musical blending of Ryan’s ‘country’ roots and his band-mates love of rock. Single ‘Heavy Heart’ was playlisted by Kerrang! Radio, as later was the follow-up ‘Smarter’, also put into heavy rotation by XS Manchester.
These tracks, along with the charity single (for Samaritans) ‘F**k You Brain’, written & recorded with former touring buddy Ginger Wildheart, have in turn been voted Classic Rock Magazine’s ‘Track of the Week’. Little Steven/Stevie van Zandt has not only bestowed upon the band the honour of ‘coolest song in the world’ multiple times now, he also play-listed half the album on his Sirius XM show, Little Steven’s Underground Garage.
Upon signing to Stevie Van Zandt’s ‘Wicked Cool’ label in June 2018 the band underwent a name change and are now Ryan Hamilton and the Harlequin Ghosts. 2019 singles Mamacita and This Is The Sound were each playlisted on over 100 UK radio stations and syndicated across the US (they are also a big hit in Peru!).
Earlier in 2019 Ryan and the band completed a West Coast tour of the US with Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. By personal invitation, Ryan also played Adam Duritz’ (Counting Crows) ‘Underwater Sunshine’ festival in NYC and The Alarm’s Gathering festival in both Wales and NYC. In December 2019, Ryan tops-off a very successful year by opening for Jesse Malin and special guest Lucinda Williams, at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC.
The band have been nominated in multiple awards categories in the 2020 Independent Music Awards, including:
Album of the Year
Song of the Year (This Is The Sound)
Producer of the Year
Album Art/Cover of the Year
2020 will see the release of brand new music with the band’s second album for Wicked Cool, with live shows and festivals already planned on two continents.
Debut album (under the new band name) ‘This Is The Sound’ was released on Wicked Cool May 2019 – here are just a few of the glowing quotes so far:
“Pretty much unrivalled by anyone. There is a warmth about his gigs and a skill in his song writing. He has become the King of the three minute pop rock song”: Maximum Volume
“Riff-driven guitars, catchy chorus’, gritty addictive vocals, teetering between old style Brit punk and straight up old school rock n roll”: Music Junkie
“This Is The Sound is just spectacular!”: Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)
“Ryan Hamilton and The Harlequin Ghosts offer a bygone brand of rock that thrusts and quivers, unleashing go-getting electricity”: Glide magazine
“An album of masterful songs guaranteed to lift your spirits and make you smile”: RPM
MAMACITA (MUSIC VIDEO) - RYAN HAMILTON & THE HARLEQUIN GHOSTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUjpsp4Rh4g
https://ryanhamiltonmusic.com/