Ryan Harlin
Music producer, songwriter, performer, and educator with feet firmly planted in both American roots music and modern electronic production.
Harmony Playground classes!
Starting in January of 2024 I will be teaming up with Michaela Mae to teach a six-week harmony singing class series. The Harmony Playground classes will help people understand, recognize, and sing close vocal harmony together with others, while exploring some of the music theory of how and why harmony works.
In each class we’ll be learning a song from the traditional country/bluegrass/folk catalog that demonstrates harmony singing principles, discussing the relationship between the harmony parts that live above and below the melody and how they relate to the underlying chords in the song. If you’ve found it difficult to sing or even hear the notes in a harmony part but certainly wished you could join in when others are singing, this is a class you won’t want to miss. More information about Harmony Playground and the class can be found at the below link.
Valorant Original Game Soundtrack
Since 2021 I have contributed to the original soundtrack for Riot Games’ popular Valorant videogame (18 million active users per month). My original music can be heard throughout the menu soundtracks for Episodes 3-7, in several of the in-game Maps, and during game-play musical moments like visiting Rudy’s Record Shack or the Radient Entertainment System retro game themes. Below are a selection of my past cues featured in Valorant and posted by the Valorant fan community online.
Episode 3 Main Menu
Episode 4 Main Menu
Bazooka Badger Theme
Fracture Map Theme
Pearl Map Theme
Rudy’s Record Shack
Out Now: Red Cell
Swedish electro-pop duo Red Cell have released an acoustic version of a track from their latest record. For “Good Morning, Good Light (acoustic version)” they asked if I could add old-time clawhammer banjo to a decidedly modern arrangement and the result turned out to be a nice fusion and a 21st century feature for old-time banjo. “Thanks again for the banjo collab! We are so so happy with it! Red Cell's first folk song, can you believe it? Let's do it again some time!” -Stefan, Red Cell
Demos and Session Work
Below you’ll find samples of my playing on electrc guitar, bluegrass guitar, mandolin, banjo, and harmony singing.
Out Down in the Underdark
Electric guitar solo for popular indie game Yoku’s Island Express.
New Levels (Banjo Remix)
Clawhammer banjo meets House music in Tobtok’s single “New Levels feat. Mila Falls”!
You’ve Been a Friend
Emilly Ellis performing a bluegrass and folk song. I performed harmonies, mandolin, and guitar.
I Think of You
This cover of Utah Phillips’ “I Think of You” features my vocals, guitar, and banjo.
The Shadow of Shasta
This is the first minute of an original instrumental banjo song still being written and completed.
Bitter Heart
Back in my Scruggs-style 3-finger banjo days I added banjo to Olivia Broadfield’s Bitter Heart.