Ryan And Pony is a brand-new project from two indie-rockers who have been kicking around the much-vaunted Minneapolis music scene for years. Their debut album Moshi Moshi was recorded at a variety of Minneapolis studios including Flight Simulator, Flowers, Master Mix, and The Kill Room with Ryan producing. John Fields mixed and Greg Reierson mastered the album. Moshi Moshi will be available on 12” blue vinyl LP, CD, digital download, and via streaming services September 25th, on Chicago’s Pravda Records.
Ryan is a workaholic multi-instrumentalist who has been playing lead guitar in Soul Asylum since 2016. Pony is a flamboyant performer and artist raised by deaf parents. Together they have made numerous albums and toured internationally leading The Melismatics. Ryan Smith and Pony (AKA Kathie Hixon-Smith) first met touring the U.S. in a minivan as indie-rocker Mark Mallman’s back-up band. Both Ryan’s newly launched group The Melismatics and Pony’s band Hundred Flowers started making waves in the Minneapolis scene. Before long, they joined creative forces and Pony became co-front person in The Melismatics.
The Melismatics went on to release seven studio albums and several singles, play Lollapalooza, have their music used in numerous TV shows, tour internationally, and build a devoted fanbase. They also shared the stage with the likes of MGMT, The Von Bondies, Joan Jett, Plain White Tees, Shiny Toy Guns, The Jayhawks, and Soul Asylum.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of Moshi Moshi. Backed by Peter Anderson (The Ocean Blue, Run Westy Run, The Honeydogs) on drums, the duo fuses Dream-Pop, post-Punk, Brit-rock, EDM, and good ol’ fashioned Rock ‘n’ Roll into a sound all their own. At the heart of it all is irony, weirdness, and melody. With an arena-ready sound and big, infectious harmonies, it feels like every song on the album is tailored to reach as big of an audience as possible.
Ryan Smith of Ryan & Pony describes the process behind the album:
We started recording this record just as our long-time band The Melismatics were slowing down our previously rigorous tour schedule. Not knowing exactly what we were creating at the time allowed a certain amount of freedom that we hadn’t felt in years. We had an opportunity to redefine what we do, and no schedule to keep. Having more time allowed more thoughtful layering of parts, vocals, and soundscapes. What we ended up with is something I’m really proud of. Hello, everyone. This is “Moshi Moshi!”
LISTEN:
Photo by Tony Nelson
