Singer-Songwriter Ryan McMahon Unveils Emotional Folk Rock Single “There She Is”, Produced by Steve Dawson at Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio
Canadian singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon unveils his powerful new single “There She Is,” produced by Steve Dawson and recorded at Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. The track stands as one of McMahon’s most personal and moving compositions—a song about rediscovering beauty, forgiving oneself, and finding sanctuary in the simplest moments of life.
With seven solo albums, two acclaimed records with his folk-rock trio Lion Bear Fox, and nearly two decades of touring across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, McMahon has carved a reputation as one of Canada’s most authentic musical voices. His work bridges folk, Americana, and rock, rooted in sincerity and emotional storytelling.
Born in Ladysmith, British Columbia, McMahon’s rise from small club stages to national tours alongside Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane, and Lisa Loeb speaks to his craft, resilience, and connection to audiences nationwide.
A multiple Vancouver Island Music Award winner and SOCAN-affiliated songwriter, McMahon’s songs have been featured in Californication, Chesapeake Shores, and global campaigns, expanding his reach beyond the stage. His latest chapter builds on the success of Live Now (2023), an album that showcased his ability to channel life’s challenges into raw, redemptive art.
Lyrically, “There She Is” captures a moment of rebirth. Lines like ‘A sun that rises up over my town / A promise I believe this time around’ embody gratitude, serenity, and rediscovery. The song moves from heartbreak toward clarity, embracing the idea that peace comes not from control, but from acceptance. McMahon paints vivid images of sunrise, ocean waves, and forgiveness—symbols of beauty returning to a life once clouded by loss.
“It’s about recognizing beauty in all its forms,” McMahon explains. “A sunrise, a sunset, a slow smile of approval from someone you love. This life is beautiful, and I forgot that for a while. I wanted to write a song that people could exhale to—to find peace in what is, and to honor the beauty all around us.”
McMahon adds,
“When I started working with Steve Dawson and his Henhouse PopUp Gang, the inspiration came fast. The song wrote itself in under half an hour. It’s about forgiveness, letting go of what doesn’t serve us, and holding tight to what does.”
The result is a cathartic musical journey—one that invites listeners to feel both grounded and uplifted.
Produced by Steve Dawson (a multiple JUNO Award-winning producer), “There She Is” features an ensemble of exceptional players: Ryan McMahon (vocals, acoustic guitar), Steve Dawson (electric guitar, pedal steel), Jeremy Holmes (bass), Liam MacDonald (drums, percussion), Darryl Havers (organ), Jordan Pritchett (percussion, backing vocals), and Danielle Marie King (backing vocals). The track was engineered by Sheldon Zaharko, mixed by Jordan Pritchett, and mastered by Railtown Mastering Co. in Vancouver.
The song’s sonic palette blends folk introspection with Americana grit and soulful optimism. Dawson’s production brings warmth and texture, while McMahon’s vocal—equal parts weathered and reassuring—anchors the emotional core. It’s a sound that feels both timeless and unmistakably personal, embodying the best of Canada’s singer-songwriter tradition.
“There She Is” arrives as a statement of endurance and gratitude in an age that needs both. It’s a testament to McMahon’s gift for turning vulnerability into strength, and solitude into shared experience. For fans and newcomers alike, the single reaffirms why McMahon’s voice continues to resonate across the country’s stages and airwaves.
Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
My name is Ryan McMahon; I’m a 25 year veteran singer/songwriter of various ilks & styles, based out of Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
“There She Is” is one of your most personal songs to date. What moment or realization sparked the very first line of the song?
“It’s been a long year, out in the rain” references the very night that my former partner & I ended a decade & a half marriage, & business partnership. I took a long walk across town in the dark, and while I was out in the middle of a soccer field, the skies opened up & poured rain. In those moments, it felt as though I’d been in the rain for a year or more. I knew life was about to change exponentially, but I didn’t know how or how much.
Working with Steve Dawson and the Henhouse PopUp Gang clearly lit a creative spark. What did Steve bring to the song that you couldn’t have achieved on your own?
Beyond his perfect pedal steel & guitar playing, Steve really allows me to run the studio sessions with him. He’s so calm and at ease in there, but I present a lot more like a Jack Russell Terrier, suggesting many ideas at once, and bouncing off the walls in the studio. Ultimately, Steve and the entire crew give this song its expanse & space, which it so absolutely deserves. A song like this one mustn’t get in its own way, and I think Steve really thrives in working with material like that.
You recorded at Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio — a space with so much history. How did the room itself influence the atmosphere or performance?
Having recorded my last album “Live Now” there in 2023, I am pretty familiar with the Warehouse. Once my vehicle is in the parking lot, it’s only about 15-20 minutes until I’m in the vocal booth, settling in and laying down scratch tracks. Everything is succinct & streamlined & ready to go, which suits my personality well. The team is excellent & welcoming, and it’s all about just getting down to business.
And having all the musicians record the songs live off the floor gives this song (and hopefully all my recent work) a humanity & reality that I can be proud of 25 years from now.
This song feels like a turning point — or at least the start of a new chapter. What doors do you hope “There She Is” opens as you move into this next phase of your career?
I have promised myself not to keep any musical promises! I enjoy so many different kinds of songwriting that my next album, once all these singles are recorded & released, is going to be wildly all over the map. I’ve recently written & recorded some of the most aggressive rock & roll music I’ve tracked in 20 years, and I’ve also written from an extremely tender & vulnerable space also. The way I see it, at the moment I’m a free agent: No label, no full-time agent, no rules. I’m in the sandbox making my own sand castles, and I hope to keep enjoying myself doing that. I hope audiences & listeners feel and identify with the messages in this new music.