The Black Ryder
Australian duo known for self-produced albums and guest collaborations.
Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Black Ryder is the songwriting partnership of Aimee Nash and Scott Von Ryper, both originally from Sydney, Australia. The duo formed in 2007 after leaving their previous band, The Morning After Girls. They play most of the instruments on their recordings themselves, though guest musicians have appeared on both albums and during live performances. These contributors have included members of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Cat Power, The Church, and Swervedriver.
Their debut album, *Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride*, was self-produced and released on their own label, The Anti-Machine Machine, through EMI Music Australia on 6 November 2009, and later through Mexican Summer Records in America on 21 September 2010. Rolling Stone Australia named it one of the Best Albums of 2010, and the duo earned a Best New Artist nomination. The album featured guest players including Ricky Maymi (The Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Peter Hayes and Leah Shapiro (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club).
Their second album, *The Door Behind The Door*, was also self-produced and released internationally on 24 February 2015 through The Anti-Machine Machine and The Orchard. It drew international critical acclaim from outlets including Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Interview Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and Noisey.
The Black Ryder have toured with The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Cult, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Primal Scream, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Angels, The Charlatans, Pete Kember (Spectrum), Broken Social Scene, The Raveonettes, and Tamaryn. Their live debut came in 2009, opening for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on their Australian tour, followed by Australian tours with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Charlatans, and The Raveonettes. In May 2010, they supported The Cult on their Love Live Australian tour, then relocated to Los Angeles in September 2010 and continued touring the US with The Cult. In 2011, they performed at Noise Pop Festival and the Clean Air Clear Stars Festival, and played shows with Broken Social Scene, Pete Kember, and Tamaryn. In 2012, they played SXSW, and in 2013 they performed at Austin Psych Fest and joined Primal Scream and The Black Angels on west coast shows.
- Formed
- 2007
- Origin
- Sydney, Australia
- Field
- Music
- Known for
- Self-produced albums, guest collaborations, touring with major acts
- Albums
- 2
- Current base
- Los Angeles
Lore & Background
The Black Ryder formed in 2007 after Aimee Nash and Scott Von Ryper left The Morning After Girls. The duo plays most instruments on their recordings but features guest players from bands such as The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Cat Power, The Church, and Swervedriver. Their debut album, Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride, was released on 6 November 2009 through their own label The Anti-Machine Machine / EMI Music Australia, and later in America on 21 September 2010 via Mexican Summer Records. The album was included in Rolling Stone (Australia) Best Albums of 2010 and earned a nomination for Best New Artist. Their second album, The Door Behind The Door, was released on 24 February 2015 internationally through The Anti-Machine Machine and The Orchard, drawing critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Interview Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and Noisey.
Reader's Guide
The Black Ryder's significance lies in their self-produced, guest-rich recordings and extensive touring with influential acts. Their debut album earned a Rolling Stone Australia Best Albums nod and a Best New Artist nomination. The duo's live performances included tours with The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Cult, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Primal Scream, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. They also performed at festivals such as SXSW, Austin Psych Fest, and Levitation, where Noisey noted them as a highlight. Their music appeared in film and television, including the 2014 movie Son of a Gun and the TV show House M.D. Nash married Ian Astbury of The Cult in 2012. The duo's legacy includes contributions to the George Fest tribute concert and DVD, and their works have been used in fashion films for MANIAMANIA.
Did You Know?
- They performed at George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison in September 2014.
- Their song 'Sweet Come Down' was featured in the 2014 film Son of a Gun.
- Aimee Nash married Ian Astbury of The Cult in a Las Vegas ceremony in May 2012.
Formation & Musical Identity
The Black Ryder emerged in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when Aimee Nash and Scott Von Ryper departed their previous band, The Morning After Girls, and chose to forge a new creative path together. Rather than relying on a large ensemble, the duo handles the bulk of their own instrumentation in the studio, crafting a self-contained sound that nonetheless remains open to outside voices. Their recordings and live performances frequently feature guest musicians drawn from a remarkable roster of collaborators, including members of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Cat Power, The Church, and Swervedriver. This blend of intimate, self-produced core work with high-profile guest contributions gives their music a layered, collaborative texture. Both Nash and Von Ryper are now based in Los Angeles, having relocated there in September 2010, a move that has shaped their creative environment and the geography of their touring circuit.
Albums & Critical Recognition
The Black Ryder have released two studio albums, both self-produced, each marking a significant step in their artistic development. Their debut, Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride, came out on 6 November 2009 through their own imprint The Anti-Machine Machine in partnership with EMI Music Australia, followed by a US release via Mexican Summer Records in September 2010. The record earned a spot on Rolling Stone Australia's Best Albums of 2010 list and secured the duo a Best New Artist nomination. Five years later, The Door Behind The Door arrived on 24 February 2015, distributed internationally through The Anti-Machine Machine and The Orchard. That second effort drew widespread critical praise from outlets including Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Interview Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and Noisey, cementing the duo's reputation as a distinctive voice in the indie-rock landscape.
Touring & Live Career
The Black Ryder's live career has been defined by their willingness to share stages with some of rock's most storied acts. Their 2009 debut show opened for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on an Australian tour, and they went on to tour with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Charlatans, and The Raveonettes. In 2010, they supported The Cult on the Love Live Australian tour before following them into US dates after relocating to Los Angeles. Their festival résumé includes Noise Pop, Clean Air Clear Stars, SXSW in Austin, and Austin Psych Fest, where Noisey singled them out as a highlight. In September 2014, they performed at George Fest, a tribute night celebrating George Harrison's music, delivering their take on "Isn't It A Pity" alongside artists like Brian Wilson, Norah Jones, and Brandon Flowers. In 2015, they headlined US and UK shows for their second album and joined The Jesus & Mary Chain on the 30th anniversary tour of Psycho Candy.
Beyond the Duo: Media, Collaborations & Personal Life
Beyond their own recordings, The Black Ryder have woven their music into a broader cultural tapestry. Their track "Sweet Come Down" appeared in the 2014 film Son of a Gun starring Ewan McGregor, while "All That We See" closed a season of the medical drama House M.D. in 2010. Nash also contributed guest vocals to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's "Done All Wrong," which landed on the Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack, and "Grass" was featured on HBO's Damages. The duo has also composed scores for Australian jewelry designer MANIAMANIA, with films for the "Third Mind" collection featuring Abbey Lee Kershaw premiering on the New York Times website and other fashion platforms. On a personal note, Nash married Ian Astbury, singer of The Cult, in a Las Vegas ceremony in May 2012. Both members remain based in Los Angeles, where they continue to create and collaborate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Black Ryder?
The Black Ryder is an Australian rock duo made up of singer-songwriter Aimee Nash and guitarist Scott Von Ryper. The pair handle most of the instrumentation on their own recordings and are currently based in Los Angeles.
When and where did The Black Ryder form?
The duo came together in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, after Nash and Von Ryper departed their earlier group, The Morning After Girls. They immediately began writing and recording material as a two-person unit.
What is distinctive about The Black Ryder's recording approach?
Both members play the majority of instruments on their records themselves, and they self-produced their debut album, *Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride*, releasing it through their own label. Rather than relying on a fixed band, they bring in guest musicians session by session.
Which guest artists have appeared on The Black Ryder's work?
Contributors across the duo's two albums and live shows have included members of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Cat Power, The Church, and Swervedriver. This rotating cast of collaborators is a hallmark of their sound.
How many albums has The Black Ryder released and what are they known for?
The Black Ryder has released two studio albums to date. They are best recognized for their hands-on, self-produced recording style, their network of high-profile guest collaborators, and touring alongside major acts.
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