ABOUT
"Ryan Hicks is a dedicated songwriter with a knack for classic melodies and heartfelt lyrics. His love for his family, hometown, and nature is weaved throughout his work creating a vivid documentation of Hicks’ experience on the Canadian Prairies." - Megan Nash, 2019 Juno Nominee
Ryan Hicks is an alt-pop, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Regina,
Saskatchewan. He has over 20 years of experience in music performance, and holds both a
Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Music Education. Throughout his career he has released
three full length albums, and is set to release his fourth record, Experience, on March 24th,
2023. Hicks has been featured on SiriusXM and CBC radio, and has charted on campus radio
across Canada. He has toured extensively throughout Western Canada, and has showcased at
notable festivals including Breakout West and Gateway Music Festival.
Hicks adopted an early interest in music, which was heavily encouraged by his parents. He
particularly recalls his dad’s vinyl collection far surpassing the demarcated shelves. As a
teenager, Hicks learned to read music and played trombone with his school band. He borrowed
his dad’s Beatles sheet music, and taught himself every song he could on guitar, bass, and
drums. At the University of Regina he studied classical music, where he took voice lessons and
learned composition. He sang tenor with the university’s chamber choir, winning the title of
“Chamber Choir of the World” in 1997, and spent 17 years performing with a Celtic Pop group.
Hicks’ forthcoming release, Experience, was recorded over a five day span with Jonathan
Anderson at Protection Island in Vancouver, BC. Jonathan also engineered the record, and was
a co-producer with Hicks. Experience is a deeply personal and cinematic record that reflects the
ups and downs of three years throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Hicks’ songwriting captures
stark emotions that he exemplifies through visceral storytelling layered over spirited, twangy,
melodies. He cites his primary influences as Fleet Foxes, Brian Wilson, and Paul McCartney. In
speaking to the process, he elaborates,
“During the pandemic, while I had time to write music, I did not write anything for over a year. As
much as I wanted to, I just did not have it in me. I spent that time connecting with nature and
myself. I felt I needed to seek counseling, and that changed me. Soon after, it was like a great
river opening up of creativity. I began writing songs again - songs that ended up on this new
album.
The ten track record was written entirely by Hicks and features both himself and engineer
Jonathan Anderson as multi-instrumentalists, with features from BC based drummer Tristan
Helgason and Regina vocalist Cynthia Peyson-Wahl. Hicks will be touring his new record
throughout Western Canada in the summer of 2023, with dates in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Regina,
Saskatoon, and Calgary. The album and video premiere of the self-titled single (Experience) will
be held at Rebellion Brewery in Regina, Saskatchewan, on March 24th, 2023.
"Ryan Hicks is not only a top notch songwriter and excellent performer, he also brings a phenomenal level of professionalism. A pleasure to work with and a pleasure to watch perform." -
Mike Dawson, Breakout West
"Ryan Hicks' new album is a great mix of influences by a multi talented musician. A
perfect album for airplay as it touches on different genres and the hooks stick in your
head for days. Regina community radio is excited to be able to share this album with the community"
- Josh Haugerund , Director of CJTR Radio