NASHVILLE, Tenn., — May 9, 2018 — Today, Kentucky native Rhyan Sinclair announces her highly anticipated, solo debut album, Barnstormer, set for release on June 22, 2018. Recorded in both Nashville with Sean Giovanni at The Record Shop and Lexington, Kentucky with Jason Groves at Sneak Attack Recording Co., Sinclair’s desire to make a deeply personal connection with listeners is evident by her thoughtful lyrics and refined harmonies.
Barnstormer opens with “From Here,” a lament that is thick with pedal steel and regret. In contrast, the track “Barnstormer” calls to mind the feisty sides of Miranda Lambert and Dixie Chicks, whom Sinclair cites as influences. She also notes that Barnstormer has hints of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, as well as stylists like Smokey Robinson, Band of Horses, Chris Isaak, Norah Jones, Beck, and Lone Justice’s Maria McKee.
Sinclair feels an undeniable pull to country music, especially from the classic artists who made their mark before she was born. One of the primary influences for Barnstormer is the 1987 album Trio, recorded by Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt. The acoustic palette of that album is echoed throughout the album.
Sinclair co-produced Barnstormer, acknowledging that her collaborators Giovanni and Groves respected her opinion and vision. “Being young and female, I know that isn’t always the case and I was so fortunate to work with great people,” she says. She worked with Giovanni in Nashville on the title track as well as “Kentucky Night Sky.”
One of the most uplifting tracks on the album is ironically titled “The Sad Song.” She explains, “I think there is such an underrated joy that can be found in sad songs because someone out there can relate to that sadness and it can make them feel less alone. There is so much beauty in that.”
Listen closely to the lyrics of Barnstormer and a portrait of a young traveler emerges. “Old Lost Town” explores what might happen if she could ever get out of her hometown, while “What Time Is It in California?” finds her contemplating a pivotal visit to the West Coast. That wandering spirit is key to Sinclair’s musical perspective.
“I want to travel to as many different places as humanly possible,” she says. “I definitely feel an overwhelming sense of home when I’m on the road. There’s such a sense of freedom in it and I think it’s where I feel most inspired.”
Sinclair concludes Barnstormer with “Free at Last,” featuring vocals from Lillie Mae, Eliza Mary Doyle of The Dead South, and Sinclair’s mother, Toni Karpinski.
Although Sinclair’s musical direction has taken a number of turns as she’s matured, one thing has remained steady – her desire to make a deeply personal connection with listeners.
“I hope people know that I can be counted on to share raw emotions, whether it’s heartbreak or joy,” she says. “I just want it to feel as real and intimate to someone listening to the album as it felt to me when I wrote it.”
Sinclair hits the road this summer in support of the Barnstormer release.
Tour Dates:
May 11 – Lexington, KY – Willie’s Locally Known
May 17 – Nashville, TN – Bobby’s Idle Hour Songwriter Round
June 6 – Nashville, TN – Fillin’ Station Performing Songwriter Showcase
June 7 – Nashville, TN – Tennessee Brew Works
June 10 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
June 15 – Huntington, WV – Press Club
June 23 – Nashville, TN – The Local (album release show)
June 24 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
July 1 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
July 7 – Knoxville, TN – Last Days of Autumn Brewery
July 8 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
July 20 – Richmond, KY – Richmond Centre Summer Concert Series
July 22 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
Aug 5 – Nashville, TN – Pourhouse
Aug 9 – London, KY – Summer Concert Series
Photo courtesy of The Press House
