Wryn is a musician based on the central coast of California (Chumash Land). Their work investigates transmutation, reflection, gender, parenthood, and absorption of the self.
Wryn has been featured in NPR multiple years for their Tiny Desk Contest entries, and was recently interviewed by Ayesha Rascoe about their 2022 submission ‘Pushing’.
Wryn’s music has been described as “Introspective.. lyrically sincere yet sophisticated”, “ tough yet heartfelt, and loaded with potential”. The emotional depth of their live performances and recorded work has drawn comparisons to Adrianne Lenker, PJ Harvey, Phil Elverum, Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen.
Wryn makes their debut on Righteous Babe Records with their new single, "Steady."
Four years ago, Wryn’s world shifted. It rocked, it tumbled and it turned itself inside out as they looked inward, reassessed their trauma and began a new journey of self-discovery. Wryn’s life began to embody a new shape.
Out of this rebirth arose “Steady,” a stirring number penned during the pandemic in 2020. The song serves as a sweeping hymn — a prayer — to navigate that period of their life. “Being alive in this body is / Heavy, heavy/ Fill up my lungs and wish me to breathe / Steady, steady,” they sing with a syrupy lilt before slinking into a stunning crescendo of strings and harmonies. Produced/mixed by Bella Blasko (Aaron Dessner, The National) and featuring performances by drummer JT Bates (Bonny Light Horseman) and bassist/saxophonist Mike Lewis (Bon Iver).
Wryn hopes listeners can find connection, process their own emotions and release them if need be. “My songs were always emotional, that never changed,” they said. “Now I’m confronting the roots of the emotions.”
…When asked if there's a message they want to send to trans youth in a year when they've been particularly targeted, Wryn says: "Every day, these kids are waking up and they're seeing headlines and they're seeing news and they're seeing thinkpieces about them. But they're not objects — they're people. All of these adults are saying that they shouldn't exist; that they aren't real. The main thing I want to send to them is just another voice saying, 'No, you should not be the ones to change. The world should be changing for you.'"…
Idaho at Soho
Santa Barbara Independent
Charles Donelan
Wryn’s opening solo set showed a performer in the midst of a creative surge. Song after song poured out, evidence that recent studio time has been abundantly fertile. Summoning thoughts of Dry-era PJ Harvey, the sound was tough yet heartfelt, and loaded with potential. It will be interesting to see how these recent compositions evolve into more complete arrangements. In the meantime, Wryn demonstrated ample ability to hold the stage with just guitar and voice.
The Best 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Volume 1
NPR Music // All Songs Considered
Marissa Lorusso
Pairs well with: Crying at the end of a great book; reading old diary entries
California songwriter Wryn says they wrote their 2021 entry song after a panic attack "and what felt like a very long winter," in a period of trying to untangle the patterns in which they felt trapped.
Wryn is making ‘Shapes’ with an Indie Gogo Campaign
Santa Barbara Independent
Charles Donelan
Their music explores some of the same territory as such recent underground sensations as Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief) and Phil Elverum (The Microphones). Introspective, acoustic guitar driven, and lyrically sincere yet sophisticated, Wryn’s songs tackle complex thoughts and feelings. The result is compelling and absorbing music that invites multiple listens.
The Early-Bird Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Love
NPR Music // All Songs Considered
Marissa Lorusso
Wryn sings with a poignant weariness that evokes Sharon Van Etten or Angel Olsen. Her Tiny Desk Contest entry, "Quiet," recognizes the power old wounds can hold over us, and the bravery it takes to move past them.