A Big Noise From Up North: Serena Ryder

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"I NEVER HAD any formal training, but I've been singing my whole life," says Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder. "There's never really been any doubt in my mind that this is what I have to do — I always knew I would keep singing."

If Ryder's childhood recollections can be trusted, she was practically born with a mic in her hand. "My mother says I was actually singing melodies before I was speaking actual words, so, really, I think it's something very natural for me."

Ryder's songs have an unusually natural, organic element to them, one that's rare among the proud artificiality and self-conscious lo-fi on many artists in today's musical landscape.

Although she's already released two albums in Canada and had a top 10 hit on Canadian Top 40 radio, Ryder did not release her U.S. debut, a short acoustic EP called "Told You in a Whispered Song," until last month. "I wanted to give people a taste of my music and leave them wanting to hear more," says Ryder of the EP. "We recorded all of the songs in one day. I've been working on songs for my next album, so, hopefully, this will hold people over until then."

Ryder is currently on tour with Australian musician Xavier Rudd in the U.S.; the tour will make stops at the 9:30 Club on Saturday and at the 8 x 10 Club in Baltimore on Sunday.
"I've been having fun, and I think the tour is interesting because it's two totally different musicians, and I think it's attracted some really great, really down-to-earth, open-minded and thoughtful audiences, which is something I really appreciate."

» 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW; with Xavier Rudd, Sat., 8 p.m., $17; 800-955-5566. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Greg Re
Photo by Christopher Wahl