A Midwestern Work Ethic, Set to Music
Evan Ryan embodies the spirit of the hardworking Midwestern people, those who built the backbone of America through industry, resilience, and an unshakeable belief in hard work. Growing up in Chicago, a city known for its steel mills and railroads, Evan’s drumming reflects the labor and grit of the people who came before him. His passion for music began in this urban, industrial landscape, where the rhythms of trains and factories might have been his earliest musical influences.
The Chicago area has undergone tremendous demographic change in the last 150 years, transitioning from a hub of European immigrants to a melting pot of cultures from around the world. Polish, Irish, and Italian immigrants laid the city’s foundations. And as the 20th century progressed, African American communities from the South arrived during the Great Migration, bringing with them the rich culture of blues and jazz, forever transforming Chicago’s music scene and the world music landscape as a whole.
Evan, steeped in this rich cultural mix, is a product of this history—a drummer whose beats resonate with the pulse of a city that never stops moving.
Music Industry and Chicago’s Influence
Chicago's influence on the music industry cannot be overstated. From blues legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf to the electric jazz innovators of the late 20th century, the city’s musical output has been a reflection of the changes in its society.
For Evan, moving from Chicago to Los Angeles was a chance to take this deep-rooted musical heritage and expand it into new territories. His versatility as a drummer has allowed him to adapt to various styles, but his heart remains tied to the disciplined, hardworking ethos of the Midwest.
Evan’s journey wasn’t just about the music, though. For years, he drove to Las Vegas on weekends for gigs—sometimes for months on end. The long drives through the desert could easily be seen as tedious, but for Evan, they were part of the rhythm of his life.
This is where the Midwestern mindset shows itself—a determination to get the job done, no matter how far the drive, no matter how late the hour. It’s a rhythm that keeps America moving forward, and Evan embodies it.
The Evolution of Rhythm
Evan’s music is more than just drumming; it’s a reflection of Chicago’s past, the struggles of the people who lived there, and the cultural shifts that defined the city.
His personal drum collection, photographed in his Santa Monica home, is a testament to this history.
Each drum tells a story, much like the city of Chicago itself, where every beat carries with it the echoes of the people who built, shaped, and transformed it.
