Honest songs for honest people. This is the mission statement of Anna’s Anchor, the solo project of Limerick born musician Marty Ryan, which was created during the summer of 2014. In the studio, 

Anna’s Anchor is an alternative/emo based clash of heartfelt lyrics and delayed guitars taking influence from bands such as Brand New, Into It. Over It. and City & Colour. On tour, armed with just an acoustic guitar, these songs take a softer transformation accompanied with stories that bring this honest and genuine experience to life.

Having supported acts such as Andrew Jackson Jihad, Koji and Bob Nanna, it’s clear this has been a winning formula thus far. Anna’s Anchor’s strong DIY ethic and efforts to push the boundaries of creativity has been put on full display from the most recent release entitled “The Islands”. Anna’s Anchor embarked on an eight week journey visiting eight different islands, performing eight memorable gigs, and writing eight unique songs. This was the challenge that brought Marty to some of the remote and harshest environments of Ireland on a song writing adventure like no other. Combining the adventure of touring off the beaten track with writing, recording and releasing a song about the experience each week, this project gained national acclaim in Ireland.

Having released 15 songs on 4 different releases and toured Ireland, the U.K, Czech Republic and Austria all within the first 12 months of the existence of Anna’s Anchor, it’s clear that Marty has been putting his shoulder to the wheel with no sign of easing off.

Marty’s journey as Anna’s Anchor began with the release of the debut E.P “Oak Street”, which was recorded in Montana, USA after a summer spent in the North West of the States. Oak Street was released on a unique format consisting of a CD and an accompanying 28 page zine containing interviews and artwork from inspirational people met along the road.

This release was followed up by a split with James Carroll (U.K) in March 2015 and a co-headline tour of Ireland and the U.K ensued. Anna’s Anchor went on to curate “Four corners” in November 2015 which was a collaborative four way 7” split that involved three other artists from all around Ireland. The four musicians then went on to complete a tour with a stop off in each others’ hometown.

With an eye for adventure, and an ear for creating songs that pull on heart strings, the future looks bright for this young musician as he heads into the studio in early 2016 to record the debut Anna’s 

Anchor LP.