David Ryan Harris

Singer and songwriter David Ryan Harris issued his self-titled solo debut in 1997 after already confronting narrow expectations for black performers by leading the Atlanta rock band Follow for Now through the late 1980s. Industry observers once positioned the group as the successor to Living Colour, yet Follow for Now incorporated a broader range of influences that encompassed Stevie Wonder-style soul, Bad Brains thrash, and bluebeat bounce. The ensemble failed to match that predecessor’s commercial reach and disbanded following the release of its lone self-titled Chrysalis album in 1991. Harris next contributed substantially to the breakthrough of another artist defying categorization, former Arrested Development vocalist Dionne Farris, supplying production and guitar for her 1995 debut Wild Seed - Wild Flower. He also served as musical director for Farris’s touring band before pursuing his own recording path.

An old acquaintance, producer Brendan O’Brien, signed Harris to the 57 imprint at Columbia Records; O’Brien had previously produced early Follow for Now demos prior to his work with Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine. The resulting 1997 album David Ryan Harris included performances by both O’Brien and Harris across multiple instruments and proved as stylistically elusive as Harris’s earlier projects, attracting critical acclaim yet limited commercial traction. Rather than record a second solo effort, Harris formed the power trio Brand New Immortals alongside former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt and drummer Kenny Cresswell. The group built early momentum with a six-song EP again produced by O’Brien, secured a deal with Elektra, and issued its full-length debut Tragic Show in 2001. Once more, sales remained modest, prompting the band to conclude that Elektra had mishandled promotion. In early 2002 Harris declared the breakup of Brand New Immortals and his return to solo activity.