# 11 RYAN KEEN

(Photo courtesy of Emily Coxhead)

 

A DaisyDigital favourite, Ryan Keen has an incredibly unique talent, combining emotional lyrics, hearty vocals and exceptional rhythmic guitar abilities. Hailing from Devon, this year has seen Ryan receive support from BBC Radio1s Fearne Cotton and Zane Lowe, as well as becoming a festival native and touring the UK with Newton Faulkner.

Having also toured with Ed Sheeran and following the release of two EP’s, there is certainly a hype surrounding this new talent. However, it hasn’t been all plain sailing, in September 2011, Ryan’s musical abilities and character were really put to the test. Four weeks prior to his big opportunity, touring with Ed Sheeran. Keen severed the tendons in his wrist and was told he would be unable to use his thumb for up to ten weeks.

Ryan quickly made the decision he was going to do the tour somehow. At first, he started playing with just his fingers but eventually started modifying his cast. After a few prototypes and a little helping hand from his physio, they built a cast that had a melted plastic plectrum in the thumb part and rubber on the palm, enabling him to play his trademark percussive style. It’s this sort of determination that stands him in good stead for the future and displays glimmers of a promising future.

Undoubtely the highlight of his career so far, Ryan played iTunes festival at The Roundhouse in London and was the only unsigned act on the line up! With a headline UK tour under his belt, Ryan is no doubt inches away from signing to a major label in 2013 to release his debut album, following his previously independently released EPs which are available via. iTunes.