Ryan Davis (USA) + Sweet Whirl solo

Louisville, Kentucky avant-folk songwriter Ryan Davis makes his first visit to Australia, headlining Nighthawks with support from Sweet Whirl in solo mode. 

After more than 15 years of releasing music in outfits State Champion, Tropical Trash and others, Dancing on the Edge is the first album produced under Kentucky-based songwriter Ryan Davis’ name.

Ryan Davis continues in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt, Terry Allen, Souled American and David Berman’s Silver Jews, but reimagines the dated archetype of the modern day indie troubadour. A seven-song, 53-minute basement folk opus, Dancing On the Edge ranges from bare-boned, achingly crooned avant-folk tales to jovial, collaborative excursions into long-form experimental country-tinged rock. The sprawling double album was self-released at the end of 2023 and recently reissued by UK label Tough Love.

Dancing on the Edge is a dense collection of Americana-Noir that navigates a familiar yet alternate reality, one of enchanted mundanity and uniquely Mid-Southern introspection. Simultaneously antisocial and outwardly inviting, free of cynicism yet slightly stepped in paranoia, Dancing on the Edge is as delicately choreographed and emotionally connective as it is, at times, absurd.

Ryan Davis is currently touring the US with Bill Callahan, just finished a tour supporting MJ Lenderman and did a co-headline European tour in 2024 with Australia’s own Ned Collette.

“This is the sound of someone bearing a torch.” - Bill Callahan
“One of the finest beard-rock slabs of the century.” - Byron Coley