Wyland

Ethereal rockers Wyland have been selected as the winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Come Together NYC opportunity! The band will perform at the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus' Block Party in Jackson Heights celebrating John Lennon's birthday on the main stage at the outdoor 78th Street Play Street on October 8th along with other celebrities at this community event in partnership with the City of NY. Wyland will also take home an incredible prize package valued at over $8,000. - TJLSC team

KEARNY — Since winning the highly competitive Break Contest in 2014 — as an atmospheric rock band amid a deluge of punk groups — and performing on the main stage of the hefty Skate and Surf festival, Wyland has functioned with tireless focus.

The unsigned Kearny four-piece seems to simultaneously be listed on every decent local bill, while touring nationally in effort to become the next New Jersey act to leap from the local scene and onto the national consciousness.

Gigs across the country, including South By Southwest and Oklahoma's Center of the Universe, have provided the group a greater breadth of experiences, and led by commanding frontman Ryan Sloan, the band's new EP "In A Sea of Things Unsaid" is an enthusiastic lunge toward more prominent stages these tunes deserve.

Hear the seven-track release, and its crisp blend of piano pop and U2-inspired grandeur, below, in an exclusive first listen. The album officially drops Friday, and marks one of the strongest rock releases from a New Jersey band in 2016 so far, local or not.


"In A Sea of Things Unsaid" is a reflection of the band's unhindered emotional outpouring, of our experiences over the past year on a record," says guitarist Mauricio Salazar, whose array of effects pedals employs droning depth and mystery behind Sloan's keys-driven vocal hooks. "Its stylistic transition represents not only a musical departure from our previous efforts, but a genuine time stamp of our growth as collective individuals and musicians."

The band — Sloan, Salazar, drummer Richard Joyce and bassist Zach Calidonna — will celebrate its new album March 26 with an album release show at The Citizen in Jersey City, 332 2nd Street. Local acts Bounders (Asbury Park), Cold Weather Company (New Brunswick) and Hey Anna (Brooklyn) will play in support. - Bobby Olivier

New Jersey indie-rockers Wyland have immersed themselves in the studio as they work on their third EP to date, and throughout that process, their Coldplay- and Mumford and Sons-inspired sound has already transformed since their formation a mere two years ago. Today, Diffuser is happy to premiere Wyland’s cover of the White Stripes classic, “Seven Nation Army,” a song they believe is every bit emblematic of their evolution as a band.
As soon as the very first notes of Wyland’s “Seven Nation Army” cover kick in, you know you’re in for a transformation of the iconic Elephant original. Frontman Ryan Sloan opens the tune as a rich, emotive piano ballad. Nevertheless, the band finds a happy balance between their inspired take and the signature gritty elements of the original we have come to love.
Sloan — who helms the tune alongside singer Joni Fatora — says the cover “showcases [Wyland’s] growth as a band in terms of songwriting and just ‘our sound’ overall. We saw this cover as an opportunity to preview some of that growth.”

Read More: Exclusive Video Premiere: Wyland, ‘Seven Nation Army’ | http://diffuser.fm/exclusive-video-premiere-wyland-cover-the-white-stripes-seven-nation-army/?trackback=tsmclip - Diffuser FM

New Jersey five-piece Wyland have an instantly digestible sound that will only alienate people who dislike the simplicity of a good ol’ pop-rock bender. The band blends suburban angst with city kid confidence—something that shows up all over their upcoming EP, 'You’re In The World, Get Off Your Feet'. Today we’ve got the premiere of the EP’s lead single, 'Wait'. Propped up by some pastoral handclaps, the track stomps and clatters around with headstrong percussion and restless vocals. - CMJ

With the just recently released singles “Shine” and "Wait" (streaming) under their belt, New Jersey rockers, Wyland, are slowly finding their voice and audience in the NYC and NJ scene (that's where they live) - and beyond. Their sound - an intense and tasteful melodic rock with rootsy elements - will resonate with the most endearing Lumineer fan. Their upcoming album, “You’re in the World, Get Off Your Feet”, which is due out in February, is a self-produced, intimate glimpse of the hard working band, which includes emotional lyrical content that might make Chris Martin shed a tear. Wyland will be playing Leftfield on the Lower East Side on January 24 and will have a featured spot on Jansport’s Culture Collide Battle of the Bands at this year’s SXSW. - Robert Frezza - The NYC Deli Magazine

Wyland charmed the audience with their catchy indie rock songs in C Major and their charming frontman, Ryan Sloan. Judges John Schaefer and Helga Davis were instant fans, and Alicia Olatuja appreciated Ryan's approach to audience participation, remarking "I felt very safe in your hands."

“I can't tell you enough how much I love you as a front person. You never left me or your bandmates for a second. You just kept pulling everyone in. You took care of this room in a way that was very exceptional!"
— Helga Davis (in reference to vocalist Ryan Sloan)

“You used familiar musical tropes and made something new with it. Made it your own. The secret weapon in every rock band is your drummer. He did a really great job there!"
— John Schaefer (in reference to drummer Matt Pana) - WNYC's The Greene Space

“Wyland considers itself an alternative rock band with an emphasis on the "alternative." There are traditional guitars and drums, yes, but sweeping, ambient layers, strings and piano are also threaded into a sound the group says they're still polishing. Sloan is spirited and strong as a lead vocalist and bassist Kara Delonas, also plays a classical, upright bass, which adds some warmth to the mix. The songs off the group's new, "You're in the World" EP feel meant for those big, summer festivals where everyone sits on a blanket in the grass and claps along, or lays back and lets the soaring sound wash over them.” - Bobby Oliver, The Star Ledger (Dec 03, 2014)

Drawing from influences of early U2, Peter Gabriel and The Police, Wyland cloak the depth of their lyrics in warm pop overtones to create the sort of “optimistic, reflective music” heard in songs like “Wait,” “Shine” and “Lifeboats.”

The result is a melodic sound that has them on the fast track to success, as they look to fuel up on the positive energy they’ve already generated.

Call it the appeal of pragmatism, there’s something about artists from New Jersey that speaks to audiences nationwide and beyond. - H Mag Hoboken

When the band first took shape, the website "Wyland'com" was already taken, so the band decided to use "Wearewyland" for its social media presence. "We want to be a community based band," he said. "It's not just about the singer, or even just the band, it's about all the people who come to our shows and listen to our music. We want them to feel like they're a part of the band, part of the show. We have a lot of crowd participation, and that's so important to who we are. Because we can go into a room where no one knows us, and by the end of the night, everybody in there is singing along." - Jim Testa, The Jersey Journal

We believe the band is really on to something special, and these songs will provide a big springboard for their young career. Wyland possesses the ability to be contemplative & delicate, then bold and brimming with energy in the next breath. Enjoy the EP below and make sure to follow the band online for more! - Jake Craney, GroundSounds

We’re inclined to agree with CMJ when they say Wyland has “an instantly digestible sound that will only alienate people who dislike the simplicity of a good ol’ pop-rock bender.” The New York outfit is preparing to release their You’re In The World, Get On Your Feet EP on February 20th and today we’re premiering its latest snippet, “Lifeboats.” The track is a sweet slow-burner that channels the likes of Coldplay and Explosions In The Sky. Not a bad way to start what’s looking to be a snow-filled week. Stream it below. - All Things Go

The New Jersey band Wyland has had a fine 2014 so far. In May, the group won the Break Contest in its home state. CMJ also spoke highly of the band in its premiere of the track “Wait”: “Wyland have an instantly digestible sound that will only alienate people who dislike the simplicity of a good ol’ pop-rock bender.” Now you can stream the band’s newest tune, “Shine”, a song that brings to mind the anthemic stylings and pop affability of Coldplay.

Wyland’s singer/songwriter Ryan Sloan says to PopMatters about the track: “I wanted to write something that was dark yet optimistic; a tune that could allow someone to feel good about themselves whilst letting out a little angst. I think we captured it with ‘Shine’. Essentially, it’s a song about defeating the odds at a point in which everything seems lost.” - PopMatters

“This is exciting and vital music; imbued with unashamed passion and crafted by talented musicians that are creating something truly meaningful.” - Dr. Rob Quicke, Founder, College Radio Day

What do you get when you combine NGHBRS‘ infectious rhythm and OneRepublic‘s contoured melodic dynamic?

You get Kearny, New Jersey pop/indie-rock quintet, Wyland.

Under The Gun has many up-and-coming artists on the radar and these folks are one of them. They played a CMJ showcase this year and we were able to get in touch to talk about their upcoming EP, among many other things.… - Dana Reandelar

Taken from their latest EP offering, Lifeboats is a passionate acoustic-pop release from Wyland. The New Jersey-based outfit (comprised of Ryan Sloan, Mauricio Salazar, and Richard Joyce) display their uplifting harmonies and dreamy pop sensibility to create one beauty of a song. When asked about the track, Wyland’s Ryan Sloan shares with AMBY;

“This song is certainly one of our favorites from the YITWGOYF record. For the video we wanted to capture the lyrical and musical dynamics of the song – which has this really beautiful progression that builds from a soft, acoustic beginning through to the bridge where the full band comes in and the song literally just soars..." - Alicia Atout