Ryan Cassata

Ryan Cassata (he/him) is a singer, songwriter, and trans activist who makes music that actually means something. His new album _Greetings from Echo Park_, out June 6 on Kill Rock Stars, mixes folk punk, emo, and blues with lyrics about anxiety, illness, identity, and survival. It's rough, honest, and hits right where it should. Written while dealing with Lyme disease and autoimmune struggles, the album doesn’t try to be polished. It tells the truth. From queer love songs to punk tracks about being sick of everything, Cassata says what others avoid. He’s played over 650 shows, was the first openly trans artist at Vans Warped Tour, and has been featured at SXSW, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Global Pride. He’s been highlighted by Billboard, Paper, and The Advocate, but more than that, he's one of the real ones.