Ready for the Downpour

Troubadour Ryan James writes observational tunes about love and life. On his four-song EP, Ready for the Downpour, James exhibits a retro sensibility on mid-tempo, Elton John inflected ballads, while doing duty on guitar, piano, harmonica and vocals. The standout must-listen track, titled “My Girl Rain,” shows off James’ passionate vocal intonation and dynamics on a stellar musical arrangement featuring a full gospel choir. The record, engineered by Tom Gordon, gives listeners a glimpse of James’ promise as an emerging singer-songwriter.

Hear Ryan James live on Saturday, August 22 at Blind Onion in Sparks. www.myspace.com/4ryanjamesmusic

Oliver X  

“My music is about life. The reason I get on stage is that music is a safe haven for me.”

Jonie Blinman might just be the hardest working musician in town. Often playing multiple times per week, Blinman and her band, The Muckrakers, present some of the most compelling music in the Truckee Meadows. Blinman’s whispered rasp is reverberant against poignant, ruminating lyrical tapestries. Her vocal tone is unforgettable. “My solo shows are kinda rock Americana,” says Blinman. “In my band project, I focus more on orchestration and diverse instrumentation with Spanish-like rhythmic scales and dissonance that play into the harmonic minor chords, she notes.

Hear for yourself as the ubiquitous Jonie Blinman plays July 18 at Artown’s Lavender Ridge event with Kate Cotter and a stellar musical line-up produced by singer-songwriter Michelle Pappas.

Oliver X