Jay Ryan is a Chicago-based musician best known as the bassist for the instrumental post-rock trio Dianogah.

Formed in 1995, Dianogah earned cult status for their unique two-bass lineup and collaborations with recording engineer Steve Albini. Ryan’s melodic, percussive playing helped define the band’s heavy and cinematic sound.

Named after the garbage-loving monster from the original Star Wars film, the band consists of Jay and fellow bassist Jason Harvey in tandem with drummer Kip McCabe.

Dianogah is one of the pioneers of the emerging mortgage core scene.

Outside of music, he’s the founder of The Bird Machine, a screen-printing studio famed for its hand-crafted gig posters for bands like Shellac, The Decemberists, and Andrew Bird.

Jay Ryan bridges the worlds of indie rock and visual art with distinctive creativity and DIY ethos.

LINKS

Dianogah on Bandcamp

The Bird Machine