Tucson-based acoustic duo Ryanhood, comprising Cameron Hood and Ryan Green, have carved out a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Known for their energetic and often unconventional performances, the pair have amassed a slew of accolades, including the 2014 International Acoustic Music Award and being named "Discovery of the Year" by WFUV in 2017. As they prepare to take the stage at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on November 10th, their unique blend of folk, rock, and storytelling is poised to captivate audiences once again.

Ryanhood: Blending Musical Genres and Captivating Audiences

From High School Rivals to Lifelong Collaborators

The origins of Ryanhood can be traced back to the duo's high school days, when Cameron Hood and Ryan Green were members of rival bands competing in the annual battle of the bands. Despite their friendly rivalry, the two musicians developed a mutual admiration for each other's talents, with Hood as the frontman and primary songwriter of his band, and Green as the lead guitarist of his own group. As their respective bands traded victories over the years, the seeds of a future collaboration were sown."We would face off in the battle of the bands every year," recalls Green. "It was more of a friendly rivalry throughout high school. As our bands traded victories over the years, we began to acknowledge an admiration for one another." It was as high school was coming to a close and college was on the horizon that the two musicians began to explore the idea of joining forces.

Embracing the Simplicity of Acoustic Duo

The decision to form an acoustic duo was driven by a desire to move away from the heavy equipment and numerous opinions that came with their previous rock bands. "What I would add to that is we were both in loud rock bands with a lot of equipment," explains Hood. "It was heavy in the sense you were always lugging amps and drums. It's also heavy because you're always weighing many, many opinions. For us, there was this quasi-romantic notion of having two acoustic guitars and two friends in a car together so we didn't have to manage as many opinions or stuff. That sounded really fun to us, so when each of those rock bands ended, we joined forces and started the acoustic duo."

Discovering Success at Quincy Market

After college, the duo's journey took an exciting turn when they began performing at Quincy Market in Boston, where they were discovered and gained a foothold in the local music scene. "I went to college in Boston, [Cameron] stayed in Tucson for college. When we both finished, I invited him to move out there and join me out there. That's when we performed at Quincy Market a lot, and started doing a lot of college shows in the area," says Green.The exposure they gained from their Quincy Market performances and college shows in the Northeast region allowed Ryanhood to embark on a successful national touring schedule, eventually relocating their home base back to Tucson to reduce living expenses while continuing to tour extensively.

Blending Genres and Defying Expectations

Ryanhood's music defies easy categorization, blending elements of folk, rock, and even unexpected time signatures. "Folk can mean anything, but when I first heard you two, I wasn't expecting to hear a song in 5/4 time. It is very nice to hear something so different within the genre," notes interviewer Lucas Garrett.According to Hood, the duo's unconventional approach to songwriting is often a deliberate attempt to pique the interest of his bandmate, Ryan Green. "I think for Ryan — this is my guess. For Ryan, it just happens, and for me, I'm writing to impress Ryan — even after all these years I want to perk his ear. 'What happens if this is a little weird?' Let's see what happens. Only songs that we both love are worth recording, taking out on tour, and putting our life energy behind [it]. If I use an odd chord progression or odd time signature, chances are I'm trying to interest my bandmate."This collaborative dynamic, where each member brings their unique perspective and musical sensibilities, has resulted in a captivating and genre-defying sound that has earned Ryanhood a loyal following.

Entertaining Audiences with Storytelling and Musical Fireworks

Ryanhood's live performances are a testament to their ability to captivate audiences with a blend of high-energy acoustic music, heartfelt storytelling, and moments of humor and levity. "They can expect high energy acoustic music — that's the number one thing," says Hood. "The folk part is that we're playing acoustic instruments, but we're not sitting on stools. There's a lot of vocal play and harmony; there's fast guitar picking; there's exploratory storytelling. There's a narrative thrust to the show; an authentic, honest openness to the show that is punctuated by high energy, funny, and exciting moments."Green echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the duo's focus on engaging the audience through a variety of means. "You can expect real and heartfelt storytelling, and lots of laughs. There's a lot of humor and fun in our shows, and musical fireworks as well … Because we were street performers, a lot of those things come through. Some number of years ago I realized we're not just songwriters, we're entertainers. We've really learned to entertain and engage audiences. Sometimes that's through big musical moments and harmonies; sometimes it's through humor; sometimes it's through some really heartfelt moments."This multifaceted approach to performance, blending musical prowess with captivating storytelling and a genuine connection with the audience, has become a hallmark of Ryanhood's live shows.

Balancing Ryanhood with Solo Pursuits

While Ryanhood remains the primary focus for both Hood and Green, the duo has also explored individual creative endeavors that have informed their collaborative work. Green recently released a solo guitar album titled "Off and Running," while Hood is currently developing a space-rock opera musical that he has been workshopping."We've been continuing to tour through all this, and typically when we're going out to a region, we'll do our shows, and then after our Ryanhood run, I'll stay out to tack on some solo guitar shows in the area, and going out as an opener for a lot of different acts; it's a new project and I'm getting the word out on it," explains Green.For Hood, the musical he is developing has been a labor of love, one that he believes will ultimately enrich the Ryanhood experience. "It's a space-rock opera. It's a sung-through musical — there's no dialogue, it's all lyrics. It follows the ambitions and loves of two musicians that make a record they want to go gold, and they go on a grand tour. At the same time, it traces the story of NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, which carries a gold record and went on a tour of the solar system that was called the Grand Tour. It follows a musical and space-science trajectory."Despite these individual pursuits, both Hood and Green remain committed to Ryanhood, recognizing the ebb and flow of their creative partnership as a key to the duo's longevity. "There's something about that ebb and flow — that breath in and out — that's allowed our band to exist for over 20 years now. That's been our secret," says Hood.

Balancing Music and Family Life

The myth of the perpetually touring musician often overshadows the realities of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. However, Ryanhood's Ryan Green has navigated this challenge with remarkable success, having been married for nearly two decades and raising a family while continuing to tour with the duo."Early on, my wife, who started as a friend of mine and was brought into the Ryanhood circle as the third team member … Even before we were dating, she'd help sell our merchandise. After we were married, in order for us to spend more time together, she left her job and took on the job of being our booking agent. She'd tour with us, and book for us, and that was great to travel together," Green explains.As the family grew, the duo adapted their touring schedule to accommodate their personal lives. "Then, fast forward to kids and family; I think what makes it work — my family doesn't travel or tour together [that often] — is that it's just short tours. Cameron and I do a lot of short runs. Because we're really mobile as an acoustic duo — I sling a guitar and mandolin on my back, and he packs a guitar and ukulele … it's not like we're having to lug amps and drums and having to drive across the country. We typically do runs of three to seven shows at a time then come home for a little bit."This approach has allowed Green to maintain a strong connection with his family while continuing to pursue his musical passions, dispelling the notion that a successful music career and a fulfilling personal life are mutually exclusive.

Ryanhood's Mission: Fostering Unity and Exploration

Ryanhood's performances go beyond mere entertainment, as the duo seeks to create a space for reflection and exploration of our shared humanity. "The last thought is that we're in a time when nobody can agree on anything — where we're polarized and divided. Our show is a chance to look at what beliefs and baggage we each, as individuals, bring into a public space, and it's an invitation to explore — in a kind way — how we are each a part of the problem, and a part of the solution," says Hood.Through their storytelling and the emotional resonance of their music, Ryanhood aims to foster a sense of unity and understanding, inviting audiences to consider their own biases and perspectives. "With the storytelling I do, I want to create a space that's not a soapbox, but an invitation to explore how we can be better citizens," Hood adds.As Ryanhood prepares to take the stage at Caffe Lena, their unique blend of musical prowess, captivating storytelling, and a mission to bring people together promises an unforgettable experience for all who attend.