Singer-Songwriter Wryn Talks Transformation, Trauma, and Touring with Ani DiFranco

Santa Barbara-based indie/folk singer-songwriter Wryn (they/them) creates songs that feel otherworldly, yet understated in their delivery, the musician’s voice aching with vulnerability whether it’s low and whispery or belting out a chorus. Paired with brooding guitars, their music is mesmerizing, reminiscent of Sundays at a college-town coffeehouse circa 1995.

But within the soothing beauty of Wryn’s voice is a deeper, and more complex, backstory: About five years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, Wryn’s world shifted, and they changed their moniker to their last name — inspiring not only a new sound but a different relationship with gender.

“[I was] confronting my complex PTSD that I hadn’t really been able to do until then,” Wryn, a parent of two teens, tells Rockmommy. “I sought help from a therapist who I thought would fit well into my life. I’m so glad that I did, it’s been a great tool. It helped me, alongside writing these songs, kind of unpack parts of who I was and even some specific trauma around music itself. Writing became what it had always been for me again, which was a way to process feelings. I was on this inner journey, but it was affected by the world around me.”

The journey ultimately led to big things, including a new record, Shapes, which came out in March on musician Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records.

We recently caught up with Wryn to learn more about their music, opening for DiFranco in April, and what’s next for 2025.

Rockmommy: Hi Wryn — I just sent time listening to a few of your new songs. they are beautiful! Who inspired you musically growing up?

Wryn: Thank you! It would kind of depend on what “era” of my life, I guess. When I was really young I would say hymns were the first songs that got me. Especially the more “melancholy” or “yearning” kind. One that comes to mind is “Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing”. Growing up listening to any 90s singer-songwriters that came on the L.A. radio, sitting in the back seat trying to sing along. I also had a Jazz Standards phase, in my 5th grade time capsule I put in a Judy Garland CD.

Rockmommy: In many ways your story begins four, or five, years ago when your world shifted. How did that transform your life and creative process?

Wryn: How did my world shift? Yeah, I I mean, a lot was going on four years ago, really like four and a half years ago, was it five years ago now? I wrote some of these songs during the lockdown and post-lockdown time. At that time, there were a lot of stressful things happening in my personal life as well.

One of those things was confronting my complex PTSD that I hadn’t really been able to do until then.  I sought help from a therapist who I thought would fit well into my life. I’m so glad that I did, it’s been a great tool. It helped me, alongside writing these songs, kind of unpack parts of who I was and even some specific trauma around music itself. Writing became what it had always been for me again, which was a way to process feelings. I was on this inner journey, but it was affected by the world around me.

I’d say, my life always transforms my creative process. They’re hand in hand. I think I was able to dig deeper and be more honest. I was very dissociated before this, and I was able to bring myself back. Knowing and trusting in myself more. Including what I wanted creatively. I was able to fully show up and be present with myself in a lot of different ways.

Rockmommy: The song “Slow Down” feels like it is about savoring the present moment (also I love coffee and drink mine black!!). How did that one come together?

Wryn: I used to drink mine black, now occasionally I need a little oat milk to balance me out haha NOTHING like a good cup of weak diner coffee though. I have a soft spot.

“Slow Down” is one of the rare ones on this album that started with an intention. The intention was to let myself be in the liminal. Allowing words to flow out naturally while playing something meditative on guitar, untangling the meaning after the fact.

The beginning of the song grew from a morning in bed with my partner. It was one of those rare moments when it felt like I was in a secret world of my own, outside the reach of time, where everything went still and quiet. I remember watching the soft light fall through the window and wanting to extend that feeling just a little longer. It’s really about being present in those little moments of joy that can be so fleeting in the chaos of life.

Rockmommy: You are on Righteous Babe Records and opening for Ani DiFranco on a handful of dates in April! How did the two of you meet? What does it mean to you to work with her?

Wryn: I’m so blessed to be on RBR AND open up for Ani this April!!!! Ani and I actually just met in person recently, but I got connected with her through Bella Blasko, who produced ’Shapes’ my new album.

Bella shared ‘Shapes’ with Righteous Babe Records, which Ani started. I’ve had some amazing support with the album and everybody on the team. It was very serendipitous, I think. The label really lifts up DIY musicians and, a lot of queer folk and women. I think it’s, yeah, just an incredible crew. There is complete artistic autonomy and, you don’t get that from other labels. So it’s really a perfect fit for me.

What does it mean to work with Ani? Like I was saying, she is an icon for DIY musicians in creating this label for herself. She’s an activist and is outspoken for what she believes in. She’s created such an amazing community, not just in Righteous Babe, but through her fans. Just going to her shows and seeing how her fans show up for her and for each other. It’s really cute to see the super young people who’ve come because their parents introduced them to her.  It’s just like such a sweet time.

I think she’s still so innovative and continues to redefine her music. She’s not stuck in some genre or sitting in her comfort zone. You know, she could play 32 flavors over and over again at a show and everybody would be stoked, but she’s continuing to push herself as an artist. I got to see her set recently, and it was so cool to see her play these new songs and introduce them to her fans. She played with the full band, then dropped everything and played a song solo she hadn’t even recorded yet. At that point, it was like two weeks old, and the song was really moving. Not going to lie, I teared up a little.

Rockmommy: It’s hard to be an artist in such divisive times nationally when gender identity is under attack in the United States. How does one keep going as an artist with these darker forces at play?

Wryn: I absolutely feel more motivated. It’s what gives me strength and hope. To share these beautiful moments playing live with people. To commune in the sanctuary of music. To hopefully be a mirror for or a channel to let people process their own emotions. whether it’s from listening to the recorded album or sharing space together. I’ve had some really lovely notes from people sent to me about how much they needed my music and were going through rough times. There is nothing more purposeful than to be there in that way.

Rockmommy: You are a parent! How old are your kids now? are they coming on tour with you?

Wryn: 15 and 17! They are absolutely not coming on tour with me, nor would they want to. Haha! They are fully embarrassed by me and say I play “hippie music”. Teenagers.

Rockmommy: What is the biggest lesson you hope they take away from you pursuing your truth in music and life?

Wryn: I think that things take time, there’s no rush. That you can change. That things that felt like failures before end up being blessings. That you can have terrible and beautiful things happen at the same time, it doesn’t make them any less beautiful. Trust yourself.