Front Deck Boom Box: Ryan Daykin

Ryan Daykin has been making waves down under and his success has been the result of years of hard work and determination to the craft of authentic songwriting that comes from the heart.

Ryan tells provocative stories that have been sun-drenched with pure, honest expression, and are derived from his own life experiences and personal encounters. To him, real, relatable experience marks the essence of music and, with well over a decade’s worth of impassioned songwriting, Ryan is recognised for his ability to connect with fans on a level that far exceeds what currently exists in an age of mass produced, cookie-cutter music.

His current single is a powerful, uplifting, fresh country-pop track. Written by Ryan alongside the MSquared team (Michael Paynter & Michael Delorenzis), Playing with Fire is an anthem for those who have been holding back and hiding in the shadows for too long.

We caught up with Ryan Daykin to find out what songs he’s listening to for this week’s Front Deck Boom Box.

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1. Jem Cassar-Daly – King of Disappointment

I remember seeing Jem play live in a writer’s round at TCMF a few years ago and was immediately so impressed by her original music. King of Disappointment is one of those songs you listen to, and you say to yourself ‘I want to write a song like that one day’ – it’s so intelligently written, and the production is beautifully complimentary, and it allows Jem’s voice and the story of the song to shine.

I love when you hear a song for the first time and you are instantly captivated by the lyric, and throw in a really hooky melody, beautifully vulnerable vocal, and I’m 110% sold. I really look forward to what Jem releases next because it seems to get better and better with every release.

2. Gretta Ziller – Dear Damascus

I got so excited when I first heard this release from the GZ. Not only because she’s one of my favourite people in the whole world, but anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of an emotional ballad. Another example of a song where you can sit and listen and be instantly captivated by the story. There’s something about this song which is just so fresh from Gretta.

I love the soft and breathy vocal, the beautiful smoothness and space in the arrangement…. I could honestly go on for hours. Also, the backing vocals = amazing.

3. Billie-Jo Porter – Play it Cool

I remember meeting Billie-Jo about 5 years ago at the DAG songwriting retreat in Nundle, and before she even had a chance to perform, I just knew there was something special (and ridiculously cool) about her. I think she performed this song on the first night and I have been obsessed with it since (it’s true, just ask her).

I love that the melody just takes you on a funky little journey in a direction you don’t think it’s going to but it’s SO much better than what you anticipated. The whole album that this song features on from Billie-Jo is really superb and there’s such a strong sense of confident and refreshing artistry. I think there’s going to be massive things on the horizon for her and she deserves all of it and more.

4. Travis Collins – Raise Me

Can we please just take a moment to appreciate that magic that is Travis Collins vocal cords? What a world class voice and a world class performer. I love all of Travis’s music, but as mentioned before, I do have a soft spot for the more emotional songs. I remember being in the car and listening to it the first time and when the chorus kicked in, I was wondering how he was going to bring it back around to the title and when he did, I remember clapping on the steering wheel and shouting out ‘YES!’.

Just a really beautiful track which, yet again, lets the story shine through, complemented by Travis’s voice, which is just so darn good. That man could sing the phone book and I would be moved.

5. Darlinghurst – Pretty Doesn’t Make You Good

These guys are just so much fun, I love everything about them. I really love how they share lead vocals between their songs because it gives every song a different level of freshness to it when you listen to a few in a row – but always showcasing those stunning harmonies!!

This song is just so catchy and I’m really on board for the messaging. I love when you can share an important message through a great catchy tune with a huge amount of hooks. Another song where the melody doesn’t quite go where you expect it to but where it takes you is a much better destination. Also, the fact that they cover Jackie in their live shows = huge ups from me!

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Keep up to date with Ryan Daykin via his Facebook page here.