The music of Ramaya Soskin has captured the imagination of listeners with uniquely soothing cinematic songs. With touching tales of love, loss & illumination, a sonic Hero’s Journey, his music holds a mirror to the heart.
Hailing from New Hope, Pennsylvania, and calling Boulder, Colorado home for over 20 years, Ramaya Soskin is most at home in a song. His songwriter story began at Naropa University where he formed the Rock & Reggae trio Specter X with Ian Hansson and Devin Liles. They spent over 3 years heating up dance floors and building a loyal fanbase on the front range of Colorado.
After meeting local songstress Cate Coslor, the duo formed the Indie-Rock band Slowrosa with players Tres Altman, Chris Mustaine and Jeb Bows. Managed by Brian Schwartz (Dinosaur Jr., The Velveteers, Paper Bird, Rose Hill Drive), and supported by both Coupe Studio and What Are Records?, the band performed with acts such as The Fray, Devotchka and The Czars.
Ramaya's next project, A. Ballad Nightly, included players Jess DeNicola, Jeb Bows, Jack Leahy, and Leor Manelis. It was during this incarnation that Ramaya released his 5th album of original material entitled "All In Good Time". Upon it's release CD Baby awarded it the "Editor's Pick of the Month" saying:
"Simultaneously blending echoes of Iron and Wine, Jeff Buckley and Ryan Adams, Ramaya Soskin's new album somehow engages both a daring spirit and a tender vulnerability. Wrapping up gentle folk in lush pop harmonies, cradling thoughtful songwriting with sometimes-hushed, sometimes-assertive vocals that are strung through these songs like a golden thread, the songs on All in Good Time capture a unique pocket of inspired and sincere writing with volumes of courage and determination. Somewhere between the rush of falling in love and the beautiful bitterness of having your heart broken, you’ll find emotions so delicious that you can’t quite let them go. Such is the magic of Ramaya Soskin's All In Good Time." -Review by Tamara Turner, Music Editor for CD Baby.
Ramaya then joined up with friend and fellow Boulder songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov. Touring as both a duo and a 6-piece band, they performed all over the US, Canada (Winnipeg Folk Festival), a Cayamo Cruise, and twice to Europe; Italy, England and Scotland (w/ Chris Pureka), Germany (w/ Nathaniel Rateliff), and Holland (w/ Devotchka). Locally they sold out the Fox Theater, Chataqua Auditorium, Gothic Theater (with Nathaniel Rateliff) and Red Rocks (with Brandi Carlile).
In between tours with Gregory, and accompanied by vocalist Dana Raabe, Ramaya also toured with songwriter Chris Pureka in support of her album "How I Learned To See In The Dark".
As the founder of Boulder's "Troubadours", a monthly platform to showcase local songwriters, Ramaya has been offering the community a musical hub around which their local favorites are teamed up with stellar undiscovered talent. "It's the best of the local flavor in a myriad of expression, all in one place" (Boulder Weekly). These "Troubadours" showcases have been presented monthly for 18+ years at venues such as the Fox Theater, Trilogy, B.side Lounge, Shine, The Laughing Goat and Roots Music Project.
Over the years Ramaya has shared the stage with many incredible artists including Gregory Alan Isakov, Nathaniel Rateliff, Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, The Fray, The Lumineers, Glen Hansard and The Swell Season, Devotchka, Paper Bird, Chris Pureka, Elephant Revival, Gasoline Lollipops, Lapcat, Dechen Hawk, Colin Robison, Max Davies & Toni Oswald, Paul Kimbiris and Sturtz. Currently Ramaya can be seen playing music regularly in the Boulder / Denver area.
Recently accompanying Ramaya is a diverse cast of soul mates and local allstars, including:
Jeb Bows: Violin
Alexandra Schwan: Vocals
Kate Farmer: Vocals