Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band Deliver a Toronto Triumph with “New Threats from the soul”
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A multi-instrumentalist, record label head, and festival founder, Ryan Davis is rapidly becoming a defining voice in contemporary Americana. On Thursday, December 11, Davis brought his critically acclaimed project and the Roadhouse band to a sold-out crowd at Toronto’s Garrison, showcasing the raw energy and lyrical depth of his 2025 release, New Threats from the Soul.
From Kentucky Roots to Indie Acclaim
Originating from Louisville, Kentucky, but now based in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Ryan Davis has established himself as a prolific and versatile artist. He doesn’t simply create music; he builds worlds around it, operating as the head of Sophomore lounge and the founder of the Cropped Out music festival. This relentless creative output culminated in New Threats from the Soul, an album described as “overwhelming, exhausting, verbose” yet undeniably captivating.The record is a sprawling, politically charged work that blends indie-Americana with a surprising range of influences, from Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan to Nas and Sun Ra.
A Night of Two Sides: Polizze’s Intimacy and Davis’s Riot
The evening began with a captivating solo set from Mike Polizze,known for his work with the band Purling Hiss.eschewing his band’s typically abrasive sound, Polizze delivered an intimate performance centered around his acoustic guitar. His finger-picking style, intricate riffs, and looping techniques created a hypnotic atmosphere, despite the somewhat distracted chatter from an audience seemingly more accustomed to Sunday night gatherings. One attendee remarked,”Such is life at Toronto shows,” acknowledging the casual ambiance. During “Too Much Thinking,”
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the performance of the title track from Davis’s latest album, “New Threats from the Soul.” Described as “tear-in-your-beer music,” the song is a sweeping, gorgeous indictment of the US, infused with a surprising callback to A Tribe Called Quest.One concertgoer declared it “my favorite song of 2025, and maybe of the decade so far,” praising its conviction, love, and exhaustion. Davis, channeling the spirit of George Jones, delivered the lyrics with a raw emotionality that resonated deeply with the crowd.
The set concluded with “Crass Shadows (at Walden Pawn),” beginning with Davis alone and a ghostly harmonica before building to a crescendo with a barely audible melodica. Before launching into the one-song encore, “Free from the Guillotine,” Davis acknowledged the fun night and playfully alluded to “beer-shaped contraband” smuggled into the country.
A Rising Star in the Americana Landscape
Stripped of his hoodie and soaked in sweat, davis resembled a modern-day paul Westerberg, a lanky poet laureate commanding a cashless saloon. The final chorus of “Free from the Guillotine” was a cathartic explosion of sound, with Davis singing thru a fluorescent pink cowl as the Roadhouse Band delivered a boisterous outro.
Watching Davis perform, one couldn’t help but draw parallels to legendary figures like Jason Molina and Townes Van Zandt. He is an exceptionally talented artist who, as one attendee put it, “deserves the press, the accolades, the fans.” The evening was a mesmerizing, righteous, and riotous experience, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement as they exited into the Toronto night, accompanied by the strains of Pancho and Lefty. One departing fan summed up the sentiment perfectly: “This was one of the best concert experiences of my life – and it was certainly southern comfort for this old soul.”
