virginia based singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist
trout baseline offers an intimate and dynamic live experience.
whether performing solo or with a full live backing band, trout baseline knows how to give a live show. after more than a decade of performing and touring, trout baseline uses a delicate balance of raw energy, stellar musicianship, self-deprecating wry humor, and emotional storytelling to truly connect with audiences from all backgrounds.
Ryan Lee has been a stalwart on the commonwealth music scene for years, performing with local acts like Free Union, Will Overman, and Erin & the Wildfire, among others. The VCU graduate began crafting his solo debut, (a)round EP, in the wake of COVID-19. With time away from touring, Lee was able to flesh out his own artistic vision—one that is both introspective and existential. On “the day (turn around),” he sings, “the day a week felt like a month,” using wordplay and explorations of our understanding of time to convey a feeling that’s been all too familiar in 2020. These universal themes are prevalent throughout the EP’s five tracks, projected across a synth-laden sonic landscape replete with airy guitar lines and keys. For fans of electro-pop, Sufjan Stevens, and David Bowie, this is a must-listen (released November 13).
— Desiré Moses, C-ville Weekly
