Feature: Populated by real and imagined heroes and villains, the everyday and the extraordinary, the trials of life and matters of the heart, Ryland Moranz’s compositions span bygone days, the here and now, and what may yet be to come, both for himself and for us all.

The Canadian folk singer-songwriter and banjo-playing virtuoso continues in the tradition of great storytellers, filtering the spirits and genius of US literary giants such as Kurt Vonnegut and Ernest Hemingway with compositional templates determined by country-folk music greats Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Blaze Foley.

One of the many sublime highlights featured on Moranz’s exquisite 2021 sophomore album release, XO, 1945, is his ragtime-style song, Run Rabbit Run, which features plenty of his banjo prowess.

Moranz (his tour dates featured below) is currently on the road touring South-East Queensland and New South Wales, already kicking off his tour at the famous Kings Beach Caloundra Music Festival last weekend, where he was warmly received, and at a house concert in Peregian Beach tonight, and a special evening at Booloumba Creek tomorrow.

Both in his own right as a solo artist and as an integral member of Leeroy Stagger’s potent alt-country outfit, the Rebeltone Sound, Moranz spends considerable time traversing the highways and byways of Canada, the US, and Europe, reflecting on personal growth and empathetically noting all that is around him.

While the miles and time slip by, Moranz absorbs the images, stories, events, and experiences of the road as he goes.

And he also reads: mainly history and classic literature.

Banjo-playing Canadian Ryland Moranz on his first trip Down Under.

Moranz said of his more recent songs that have emerged from the compelling pages of his book choices and all he sees through tour bus windows: “I feel less like a writer of fiction and more like a collector of sorts.”

“It’s a romantic notion, but I like the idea of being a hopeful observer of the world and the people in it.

“I think in a roundabout way that’s what my XO, 1945 record was all about and why I called it that, as a ‘kind regards’ from a past that’s different than you remember.”

The album title holds a mirror to Ryland’s 2016 solo debut, Hello New Old World, as if in continuation of his sanguine faith in humankind turning the corner.

It’s a lyrically poetic, sonically-earthy album of gritty-roots and rocking, moving nostalgic balladry, propelled by Moranz’s clawhammer banjo, electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, mandola and harmonica, all intoned in a characterful voice recalling a young Steve Earle – yet another legendary country singer who inspired the genius work that is Moranz’s.

Also a visual artist, audio engineer, digital audio researcher and experienced tour manager, it seems there is little that Moranz can’t do.

Based in in Lethbridge, Alberta, an artistic community historically founded on mining and agriculture, Moranz also plays and sings in his own band, The Darkest Secrets.

But while he’s a long way from home, he’s in the great hands of Nambour royalty and Peace Run Records artistic director Andrea Kirwin, who found Moranz on a recent overseas trip.

The independent label, agency and boutique events-company founder said she was introduced to Moranz’s expertise at an export music conference in Calgary, called Break Out West.

“I absolutely loved Ryland’s performance and could see his music and stage craft would be a hit with Australian audiences,” Kirwin said.

“I knew I could put a boutique tour together and decided to take the leap and organise an independent run of shows, which includes house concerts, ticketed venues and some festivals including Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival.

“It’s off to an awesome start and I can’t wait to play more shows together.”

Picture: Nambour royalty and Peace Run Records artistic director Andrea Kirwin found banjo virtuoso Ryland Moranz while visiting Calgary, Canada.

Ryland Moranz performs tomorrow night, Saturday, October 7, at Miriamdel Arts Distillery, Booloumba Creek, Conondale National Park, Sunshine Coast.

Catch him before he heads south! Head to https://events.humanitix.com and scroll down for his other shows.