RYAN STATES: Store

Strange Town is a love letter to NYC. 

The album was recorded and mixed on the circus train between 2007 and 2009, in dozens of U.S. train yards and on dozens of train runs. All of the Bill Leary sax sessions were recorded on the train in Lexington Kentucky. All horns and guitars were recorded on the train on "Never Forget". The strings were recorded in Boston. Most of the guitars and drums were recorded "online". The nearly two dozen musicians were made up of friends and strangers found via google. Ten of the musicians have the circus on their resume, but you won't hear any polkas or music for aerialists. 

The music is primarily guitar driven, but you'll also hear piano, horn section and solo saxophone. 

The 'out' lyrics paired with the 1980s sound fill a void for anyone who grew up at a time when gay artists were very closeted. 

"I'll Give You (What You Want)" is about getting hit on by married men. "Better When You're Older" is a coming out song. "I Won't Walk Away" is a pledge never to leave NYC.