Mattthew Ryan w/David Mead at 3rd & Lindsley

Two acts toughing it out under the radar now for close to a decade, Nashville-bred singer-songwriters Matthew Ryan and David Mead always seem to flirt with elusive mainstream popularity. Having both dipped into major labels--Ryan sticking it out in Nashville as a raspy guitar-slinger and Mead as a multi-instrumental pop artist in New York--they nevertheless ended up tucked safely into the background on One Tree Hill or Van Wilder soundtracks. Still, both have kept a steady pace throughout the years, crafting sturdy catalogs that are becoming increasingly visible and self-assured with age. With Mead likely to preview a few tunes from his upcoming album Almost and Always, and Ryan drawing from his recent full-length Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State, this performance will showcase two talents who seem to be perpetually coming into their own.
Sun., Aug. 31, 8 p.m., 2008