Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Moments of Clarity with Whales Whailing

San Diego soul quester returns to hometown with spiritual folk outfit

Peter Ryan of spiritual folk outfit Whales Whailing (photo credit: Jem Marie)
Peter Ryan of spiritual folk outfit Whales Whailing (photo credit: Jem Marie)

Peter Ryan has played percussion in a number of projects from his hometown of San Diego, on to Seattle with Kusikia (whose record was put out by fellow San Diegan-gone-Northwesterner Alex Miranda on his vinyl and cassette label, Talking Helps Records), and down to Portland where he has moved out from behind the drum set and taken on songwriting in earnest as Whales Whailing.

You could probably call it freak folk or New Weird America, if you were into that sort of thing, but Ryan’s baritone murmurs go beyond any of that.

It’s occult without being obscure, spiritual without being indoctrinating, and psychedelic without everything melting into washed out paisley puddles on the floor. It’s the moment of clarity after the ritual is over and the mushrooms are on their way out, when thoughts flow unfiltered from the super-conscience into frank and fearless folk tunes.

Returning to San Diego on August 10 for an appearance at Lestat’s (3343 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights), Ryan is touring on his debut full-length, Light Body Heavy Being, featuring the lilting harmonies of Portland staples Luz Elena Mendoza (Tiburones/Y La Bamba) and Jem Marie (Ghost Ease). Ryan arranged and plays everything on the album, but his live entourage includes Ryan on vocals and guitar, Johanna Warren on harmonies and bass, and Phillip Rogers on drums.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Chad Deal: I understand you grew up in San Diego and played in a handful of bands while you were down here. Tell me more about that.

Peter Ryan: I grew up in San Diego and moved to the Northwest in 2004.

When I lived in San Diego, I played in Rebar and Plums with songwriter Jordan Hammond [Primitive Noyes], the Displaced, and I made some guest appearances with Bunky when they played 21+ shows. They'd let me play shaker so I could get in the door, ‘cuz they were one of my favorite bands. I have also toured with a band from the Northwest called Kusikia, and we've played many times over the years in San Diego. I played drums in all of those bands. It’s been a while since I've led a band as a songwriter.

CD: Your lyrics come off as super honest and confessional, almost like a memo to God or a suicide note. Can you tell me a bit about the themes you dig into and maybe give some background on a tune or two?

PR: As far as songs go, I hear them as messages that pass thru me when I have moments of clarity. They are always messages I need to hear and to learn from, and I think they’re meant to be shared for those who could also resonate with them. The best songs feel like they come from a place outside myself, like I am momentarily possessed by an inspired, healing spirit energy.

The more I sing the more I become in touch with that energy. So singing feels like a guiding and healing experience. “Spirit Light” is one of my favorites. It flooded out of me one morning as I was waking up. I was still in a dream state the morning after I met my friend Luz (who sings on the recording). We had been discussing out-of-body experiences and dream-visions we've had, and we sang songs for each other. I felt inspired by her music and our conversation and when I woke up the song just about poured out of me: first into the guitar, then words onto paper. I finished it before I was fully awake.

Then I woke up and thought it was beautiful and called Luz to invite her to sing it with me. The best songs come out like that. It’s totally written within 5-10 minutes before I can even think about it. Nowadays, our bass player Johanna sings the harmonies on most songs live, so that recording captured a rare moment.

CD: Is the ego an enemy to be conquered or a tool of which to make use?

PR: To me it’s both. There are times when I struggle to step out of my ego, so I feel that I am battling with it, but like I say in "Clouds Shadows", "Love will be my torch at night that burns away the toxic fights with demons/ fighting them gives them more strength ‘cuz they eat condemnation for their dinner/ so I will starve the demons out by washing them with a shower of my love/ and they'll thank me and be on their way..." etc, etc.

But there are also times when my ego is a powerful tool. When I feel like I am a wandering soul that is simply in awe of existence and has no concrete identity, I use my ego to help me communicate and navigate the social customs of daily life in a society.

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Remote work = cleaner air for San Diego

Locals working from home went from 8.1 percent to 17.8 percent
Next Article

La Clochette brings croissants—and cassoulet—to Mission Valley

Whatever's going on with this bakery business, Civita Park residents get a decent meal
Peter Ryan of spiritual folk outfit Whales Whailing (photo credit: Jem Marie)
Peter Ryan of spiritual folk outfit Whales Whailing (photo credit: Jem Marie)

Peter Ryan has played percussion in a number of projects from his hometown of San Diego, on to Seattle with Kusikia (whose record was put out by fellow San Diegan-gone-Northwesterner Alex Miranda on his vinyl and cassette label, Talking Helps Records), and down to Portland where he has moved out from behind the drum set and taken on songwriting in earnest as Whales Whailing.

You could probably call it freak folk or New Weird America, if you were into that sort of thing, but Ryan’s baritone murmurs go beyond any of that.

It’s occult without being obscure, spiritual without being indoctrinating, and psychedelic without everything melting into washed out paisley puddles on the floor. It’s the moment of clarity after the ritual is over and the mushrooms are on their way out, when thoughts flow unfiltered from the super-conscience into frank and fearless folk tunes.

Returning to San Diego on August 10 for an appearance at Lestat’s (3343 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights), Ryan is touring on his debut full-length, Light Body Heavy Being, featuring the lilting harmonies of Portland staples Luz Elena Mendoza (Tiburones/Y La Bamba) and Jem Marie (Ghost Ease). Ryan arranged and plays everything on the album, but his live entourage includes Ryan on vocals and guitar, Johanna Warren on harmonies and bass, and Phillip Rogers on drums.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Chad Deal: I understand you grew up in San Diego and played in a handful of bands while you were down here. Tell me more about that.

Peter Ryan: I grew up in San Diego and moved to the Northwest in 2004.

When I lived in San Diego, I played in Rebar and Plums with songwriter Jordan Hammond [Primitive Noyes], the Displaced, and I made some guest appearances with Bunky when they played 21+ shows. They'd let me play shaker so I could get in the door, ‘cuz they were one of my favorite bands. I have also toured with a band from the Northwest called Kusikia, and we've played many times over the years in San Diego. I played drums in all of those bands. It’s been a while since I've led a band as a songwriter.

CD: Your lyrics come off as super honest and confessional, almost like a memo to God or a suicide note. Can you tell me a bit about the themes you dig into and maybe give some background on a tune or two?

PR: As far as songs go, I hear them as messages that pass thru me when I have moments of clarity. They are always messages I need to hear and to learn from, and I think they’re meant to be shared for those who could also resonate with them. The best songs feel like they come from a place outside myself, like I am momentarily possessed by an inspired, healing spirit energy.

The more I sing the more I become in touch with that energy. So singing feels like a guiding and healing experience. “Spirit Light” is one of my favorites. It flooded out of me one morning as I was waking up. I was still in a dream state the morning after I met my friend Luz (who sings on the recording). We had been discussing out-of-body experiences and dream-visions we've had, and we sang songs for each other. I felt inspired by her music and our conversation and when I woke up the song just about poured out of me: first into the guitar, then words onto paper. I finished it before I was fully awake.

Then I woke up and thought it was beautiful and called Luz to invite her to sing it with me. The best songs come out like that. It’s totally written within 5-10 minutes before I can even think about it. Nowadays, our bass player Johanna sings the harmonies on most songs live, so that recording captured a rare moment.

CD: Is the ego an enemy to be conquered or a tool of which to make use?

PR: To me it’s both. There are times when I struggle to step out of my ego, so I feel that I am battling with it, but like I say in "Clouds Shadows", "Love will be my torch at night that burns away the toxic fights with demons/ fighting them gives them more strength ‘cuz they eat condemnation for their dinner/ so I will starve the demons out by washing them with a shower of my love/ and they'll thank me and be on their way..." etc, etc.

But there are also times when my ego is a powerful tool. When I feel like I am a wandering soul that is simply in awe of existence and has no concrete identity, I use my ego to help me communicate and navigate the social customs of daily life in a society.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Remote work = cleaner air for San Diego

Locals working from home went from 8.1 percent to 17.8 percent
Next Article

O’side Tree Lighting & Gift Market, Holiday Lights at the Museum, The Elovaters and Little Stranger

Events December 5-December 6, 2024
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader