Ryan Charles Cihlar

I'm a solo accordion player that sings and plays a percussive stompbox, which adds an underlying beat to the melody. My goal is to be a small ensemble in one person, whereas the accordion offers 3 components: melody, bass and chordal accompaniment, and then I add the vocals and light percussion. I have a PA system to bring for most events, however for some cases going unplugged is appropriate. I enjoy performing as an energetic song leader and as someone providing background music during cocktail parties, restaurants or fundraisers. I love playing cultural events as traveling has been the catalyst to my association with the accordion. My hope is to bring joy to our existence together.

Born and raised in Door County, Wisconsin, amongst lighthouses and cherry trees, Ryan began his musical journey as a 10 year old, studying the saxophone and piano. Later shifting his focus to the drums, Ryan has built a successful career as a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the ukulele and singing in the regional duo Cherry Dirt.

After several trips to Italy, France, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Greece, Ryan fell in love with classical music and the elegant sounds of the Old World. These trips inspired Ryan to pick up the vintage accordion that he inherited from his grandfather, who brought it home from Germany during his tenure in World War II. Since then, Ryan has devoted himself to learning and revitalizing the sounds of this fascinating instrument that has all but disappeared from mainstream music. Today, Ryan provides a blissful escape to those who wish to experience the same music that has been so transformative in his own life.

Ryan has played different instrumental roles in several touring bands including Bear Creek Band, Acting Normal, Puzzle, Cherry Dirt, RLGDPPL, Hotdish, Enchanted Ape, White Lines Grey Matter, The Willy Waldman Project, Echoes from Iron Ore, The Dead Pigeons, The Dropsteppers, Boiling Point, and Remedy Drive. He has performed on several studio albums, becoming a fixture in the Minneapolis music scene.