Grainne

Grainne is pronounced GRAWN-YA, it's Gaelic and it means Grace.

Grainne [pronounced Grawn-ya] Ryan is an antidote to hollow artifice and insincerity. She wears the warmth of her heart and the strength of her hopes on her sleeve. The romantic activist in her believes that music can change people, and the world, for the better. And we, in turn, believe in her. Grainne hails from a small town north of Toronto. Of Irish descent, and the youngest of 5 musical children, she gracefully carries the legacy of generations of gifted musicians and artists. Blessed with a natural artistic ability - both as a musician and a painter - she recorded her first song at age 4, a cover version of the Beatles “Baby You Can Drive My Car”. Growing up, she listened to everything with a voracious appetite, from Irish reels to AC/DC, cumulating into her own distinct, warmly vintage sound often juxtaposed with modern-day social and environmental sentiments and concerns.

As a singer/songwriter, recording artist and performer, Grainne strives to write intimate songs that touch her audience deeply and tug lightly on their heartstrings. She writes about issues that affect us all: the environment, the damage done by a modern high-speed lifestyle, and the problems created by a consumerist culture. But also she writes songs of love and hope, gentle moments of peace and clarity, thrilling moments of passion – works that explain our culture; that illuminate, inspire, provoke, and entertain. Grainne seeks to establish communities of conversation to surround her albums. Media, the music industry and fans have recognized Grainne’s skill in the craft of songwriting. Grainne was a nominee for "Best Country Song" and a finalist for "Best Live Acoustic Performance" at the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards and was also the winner of the Paragon Singer/Songwriter Competition, in May 2008.