Don Ryan’s latest video release, “Warwalking", from the album of the same name in 3 parts, is an exhilarating journey into the peculiar, showcasing his signature blend of dark Americana and psychedelic-folk. Known for his inventive songwriting and theatrical live performances, Ryan once again proves his knack for spinning captivating narratives with this compact yet intricate track.
In Ryan’s own words, “Warwalking” has a backstory as odd as the song itself. “I wrote that song quite a while ago, when I first moved into my house,” Ryan explains. “After years of having almost no space of my own, I was enamored with the idea of being able to practice well into the wee hours of the night. I would often sing till 3 or 4 in the morning, and more or less just pass out with guitar in hand.” One night, after falling asleep mid-session with the television blaring, Ryan woke up to the morning news repeating a term he thought he misheard: “warwalking.” Amused and intrigued, he scribbled it down before drifting back to sleep. Later, upon rediscovering the note, Ryan decided to weave it into a song.
The term “warwalking” is, as it turns out, a legitimate cybersecurity term. It refers to scanning for Wi-Fi networks while on foot. But Ryan takes creative liberties with the word, crafting lyrics that revel in playful absurdity and surreal imagery. “A lot of strange and silly plays on words, and just overall outlandish trippiness,” he says.
Musically, “Warwalking” is a compact marvel. Clocking in at just two minutes, the song packs a remarkable amount of complexity into its short runtime. Ryan cites the Beatles as an influence for this approach. “Since I was a teenager, I’ve been endlessly impressed with the Beatles’ ability to act as what I call a ‘musical SWAT team.’ They just get in there and get out as fast as possible, and somehow they’ve left the listener feeling like nothing is missing.”
The bridge of the song, according to Ryan, is where the magic truly happens. “The cello, bass, and guitar are all fighting for attention, which took a little bit of thinking to coordinate so as not to have any one element step on any other.” This intricate arrangement highlights Ryan’s attention to detail and his ability to balance chaos and harmony.
Ryan’s musical journey has always been rooted in the unconventional. His debut album, Tangle Town, was described as a “dark circus” and earned him comparisons to artists like Tom Waits and Elliott Smith. Learning guitar in a funeral home as a teenager—sometimes with bodies mere feet away—Ryan’s penchant for the macabre has always been a defining element of his artistry. But it’s his ability to pair this darkness with resonant melodies that sets him apart in the NYC/NJ folk scene.
“Warwalking” is a testament to Don Ryan’s creative vision and mastery of his craft as over the course of a few years he released Warwalking Parts 1-3 via Mint 400 Records. It’s an invitation to step into his uniquely twisted world, where humor and darkness coexist in perfect harmony. For fans of psychedelic-folk and Americana with a twist, this track is a must-listen. Ryan’s ability to breathe new life into old sounds while maintaining his distinct voice is nothing short of remarkable. He’s not just a songwriter; he’s a storyteller, a sonic adventurer, and above all, a true original. Enjoy the titular video from his epic 3 part opus: