Ryan Locke

I am an independent Canadian artist, emerging into the music scene as a singer/songwriter in 2010.

From a young age, I was inspired by pop, blues and R&B. Legendary songwriters left a lasting impression on my mind. At the age of 10, a music teacher recognized my innate talent for music. I was granted a scholarship to begin piano lessons, promptly switching to guitar as my primary songwriting colour. By the age of 17, I was composing music and performing on stages in Toronto.

In 2007, I ambitiously took on the role as drummer in Toronto’s thrash metal group, My Flea Circus. I instantly adopted a love for the instrument and in the first 8 months of drumming, I had traveled to Germany for a string of shows as an opening act for a touring German band. Over the course of three years, we recorded 2 EP’s and an LP titled Flee Flaa Floo, and performed from LA to Frankfurt.

In 2010, my musical influences began to change. I found myself inspired and starry eyed by the greatest singers in history. I began taking weekly vocal training and ignited my career as a singer/songwriter. I gigged the Toronto circuit, appearing at The Cameron House, Velvet Underground, Bovine Sex Club, Rivoli, The Drake, El Mocambo, and Horseshoe Tavern. I also performed in Los Angeles infamous The Viper Room for a series of performances. In 2011, I released a debut EP titled Swinging Through The Vines under the pseudonym Laffhappy. I often appeared on stage with different band arrangements; accompanied by a bassist and drummer. Among other accomplishments, I have recorded music videos airing on local TV stations, featured music in short films, interviews in magazines and on radio, winning an award at Centennial College for the official music video, Swinging Through The Vines.

I have pushed myself into the Edmonton music scene and have built a name as an indie artist. I am a popular face in the crowd, known for my powerful vocals and nostalgic guitar work. I perform at Mercer Tavern religiously on Sunday evenings, hosting a local acoustic show aired on Edmonton’s Guerrilla Radio. I have also performed at Tavern On Whyte, JLS Night Market, The Artery, Edmonton International Fringe Festival, Ashmont Canada Day Festival, Velvet Olive, Pub 1824, Grant MacEwan College and more. I have composed dozens of pieces and have selected my best work for an anticipated follow up album titled Unconditional.

I have an earnest passion for expression and entertaining audiences. I strive to release, and listeners can also detach themselves from tribulation and inhale a bursting radiation of sound and love. They say my stage presence is raw, hypnotic and captive. I am living my dream of transcribing emotion into harmony for communities to rejoice in delight.