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The WDVX Blue Plate Special – 7/17 – Ryan Biter / Halena Hallberg
July 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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Inspired by the 7000-foot elevation of his Flagstaff, Arizona home, Ryan Biter loves nothing more than taking audiences on adventures scaling emotional heights and depths. Ryan immerses listeners in his warm, compelling, and deeply affecting music; he will have you flying high one song and break your heart the next. Heavily influenced by American roots music, his sound combines soul, blues, and rootsy Americana. From those roots he expands to deliver a strong Indie-Rock sound. His masterful guitar work partners with his poignant songwriting, and a powerful emotional voice that cuts to the core. His music amplifies something deep and spiritual.
Biter is a nationally touring artist and a four-time featured songwriter at the Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival, a 2022 Kerrville New Folk Finalist, a 2022 Songwriters Serenade Finalist, a 2023 Red Lodge Songwriting Competition Finalist, and a 2023 finalist at the Wildflower Festival Al Johnson Songwriting Competition. He has been featured on both nationally and internationally syndicated radio. He has shared the stage with numerous acts including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. His third studio album Training Wheels, featuring an ambitious full-bodied indie-rock, Americana/blues sound, is slated for release in 2023
You can find Ryan Biter sharing his music across the United States at a mix of house concerts, listening rooms, and festivals across the United States. Find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, or sign up for his email list!
Born to Swedish parents in picturesque Zurich, Switzerland, Helena Hallberg‘s journey as an artist is as unique and diverse as her background.
Drawing inspiration from Folk,Jazz, and Pop, she seamlessly combines these elements to create a musical tapestry, exploring themes of mental health, female empowerment, and multiculturalism.
Originally trained as a vocalist (University of the Arts Zurich, Manhattan School, BerkleeNYC), Hallberg’s musical path took a fascinating turn when she fell in love with American folk music and the traditional instruments that accompany it. With her beloved Appalachian dulcimer, Henrietta, in hand, Hallberg brings this age-old instrument into the 21st century, spinning enchanting melodies into the fabric of her songs. “I know some people have millions of streams on Spotify, but I’ve convinced at least seven people to buy a dulcimer, so that’s pretty good in my book”, she says with a laugh.
In March 2024, Hallberg released her debut album EPITHET. Recorded at the iconic Power Station at BerkleeNYC in New York City and recorded by an all-female production team comprising of Hallberg, Mary Bragg, and Gloria Kaba, EPITHET promises to be a musical journey like no other. It’s a transformative adventure through the captivating landscapes of her music and storytelling.
Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like ABBA and Joni Mitchell, Hallberg connects the nostalgic sounds of the 70s with the contemporary production elements of today. EPITHET delves into Hallberg’s own experiences of growing up between three different cultures, breaking free from comfort and conformity in pursuit of authenticity and impact.
It’s a heartfelt dedication to the winding roads she has traveled as a thirdculture kid, as a woman, and as a songwriter. EPITHET serves as a call to action for those in search of a bolder, braver, and more authentic life. It’s a delicate yet powerfultestament to empowerment, the pursuit of purpose, and the art of positive resistance.
It encourages us to face life’s challenges head-on, extending ourselves the grace to confront them and emerge stronger than ever. Hallberg’s songs are universal, and their catchiness is sure to leave you humming for weeks on end.
EPITHET is more than just an album; it’s a reflection of the human experience, a narrative of the obstacles we all encounter on our path to something better. Each track offers a fresh perspective on the adventure of life, with its stumbles, failures, lessons, growth, and unwavering perseverance.
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