Currently Staying Hard

Captain Ryan being struck by inspiration

Ryan Wheless is a saxophonist and clarinetist who has been shaped by a world of influences, both within and beyond music. Originally from Seattle, the young kid moved to the Arizona desert, not far from the Grand Canyon, where he spent his formative years in the mountain town of Flagstaff. Amidst mountain hikes and wild camping, the seeds of his musical obsession began to take root.

Despite being too young to play at most venues, Wheless managed to sneak into gigs with jam bands and indie folk ensembles. His talent caught the eye of Berklee College of Music, where he was invited to further his studies in Boston. Often travelling to New York City during this time, the beating heart of the Jazz music's capital would take hold of his tastes and under the guidance of mentors Lauren Sevian and Harry Skoler, his obsession for jazz music and improvisation grew. However, drawn by the call of family, friends, and the expanse of the desert, Ryan found himself in Tucson, where his passion for jazz found a new home, fueled by a tonne of inspiration from the luminaries of the NYC jazz scene.

This led to the formation of space travelers union - a collective dedicated to pushing the boundaries of acoustic and electronic fusion with the members comprising all the best musicians that Ryan had met in his travels.

Their debut album, 'the trials of bunny john' was conceived and recorded in just one week at EastWest Studios in LA. A challenge embraced by the band, many tracks were improvised live in the studio, resulting in this ridiculously brilliant ten-track collection by end of play.

"We're just trying to work something out..." - Ryan Wheless (on the band's writing process)

Influenced by the likes of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Yussef Dayes, and Toro y Moi, the new album arrives like a breath of fresh air, a welcome reprieve from the factory-mill of releases out there. The individual tracks are a delightful addition to any playlist fitting any time of the day whilst the album's flow rewards full and repeated listens.

Slated for release via Asta Hiroki's Most Least imprint in 2024, it's a record destined to please jazz heads and modern music aficionados alike, equally affecting under city lights or in the middle of the desert, it's music to get lost in.

The launch of the new project has quickly made its mark, catching the attention of key industry figures. Jamie Reynolds of The Klaxons has already pledged his allegiance, stating, "If the union does exist, I'm joining it."

Geordie Greep from black midi offered his own praise, adding, "It's always nice to listen to good musicians."

Sharing the stage with legends like Echo & the Bunnymen, as well as rising stars Glass Beams and BALTHVS shows the collective's momentum has no signs of slowing. Radio heavyweights were quick to rally behind the music, with Tom Ravenscroft, Deb Grant, and Emily Pilbeam singing their praises on BBC 6 Music. Across the channel, major French players FIP and France Musique have also shown strong support, amplifying their sound across the airwaves.

With a second album being written and recorded currently, this list of fans only seems set to grow further.

Send me a message at ryan@wheless.com for saxophone/clarinet/keyboard session work, as well as any arrangement needs for any size ensemble.