On her first full-length release, singer-songwriter Kathryn Ryan invites listeners into a soundscape that’s as sweeping as it is intimate - where pedal steel meets cello, and forgiveness walks hand-in-hand with fury.
EAU CLAIRE, WI / BOULDER, COLORADO (November 22, 2025) - With a voice as unshakable as it is vulnerable, Wisconsin-born, Colorado-based singer-songwriter Kathryn Ryan is set to release her self-titled debut LP on Philville Records this Saturday, November 22, with an accompanying album release show at The Lakely in Eau Claire, WI from 6–10 p.m.. Equal parts vulnerable and bold, Kathryn Ryan’s self-titled debut is both timeless and refreshingly original - an Americana-laced exploration of love, loss, and letting go. Blending folk, country, and classical textures with a voice that disarms and lyrics that cut deep, she delivers a masterclass in emotional honesty, tracing the contours of heartbreak, healing, and the many shades of forgiveness.
On her self-titled debut album, Kathryn Ryan crafts a genre-defying journey through heartbreak, vengeance, and grace - delivered with deep empathy and a sly wink, especially when it comes to forgiveness. Rooted in Americana, alt-country, and indie-folk, her sound is enriched by classical flourishes and a subtle pop sensibility that never feels overdone. With a voice that disarms and lyrics that reveal sharp emotional insight, Ryan offers listeners moments of catharsis, clarity, and even wry humor. She doesn’t just sing about heartbreak - she scores it with cello, channels it through pedal steel, and softens it with grace.
Cover art for Kathryn Ryan's self-titled debut album
With echoes of Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, and Fiona Apple, Kathryn’s sound is grounded in storytelling and soul. Her roots in rural western Wisconsin, combined with her classical training as a cellist, create a rich musical backdrop that’s all her own - both familiar and refreshingly new. The cello, which Ryan performs herself, features prominently throughout the album, providing a haunting undercurrent to many of the songs.
The 10-track album was recorded at Sueño Royale Studios in Eau Claire, WI, and produced by Kathryn Ryan and Matthew R. Sayles (Philville Records). Sayles also engineered, mixed, and mastered the project. The record features contributions from an impressive cast of Midwest musicians, including members of The Driftless Revelers, Lee “Big Country” Martin (of Feeding Leroy and collaborator of Trampled By Turtles) on pedal steel, Jerod Kaszynski on piano and upright bass, John Utphal on fiddle, and vocal support from Emily VanOpdorp and Irelyn Ulrich on the standout single, “Jesus Forgives.”
Back cover and track list for Kathryn Ryan's debut self-title album
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