Salty’s Live Music: Ryder’s Upcoming Live Album & The New York Rock Scene
Thu Jan 15 2026
In this episode of Salty's Live Music, we welcome the rock band Ryder from Queens, New York, featuring members James and Max. Our conversation touches on their decade-long journey in the music industry, discussing the evolution of their band, the lively New York music scene, and their commitment to authenticity in their music.
James shares how he and Max always ran in the same circles and eventually connected over a shared passion for rock and roll, and they reflect on the influence of their upbringing in New York on their sound and style. The band emphasizes their DIY approach to music and music production, highlighting their upcoming live album, 'Live From the Dark,' which captures the live essence of their performances across various cities.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Band Groupeez, a live music service connecting music lovers with independent musicians and local venues.
Access your local music scene now at https://bandgroupeez.com
About Ryder:
Hailing from the concrete jungle of Queens, New York, Ryder is a high-octane hard rock outfit that fuses the swagger of classic arena rock with a gritty, modern edge. Fronted by the powerhouse vocals and rhythm guitar of namesake James Ryder, the band has carved out a reputation in the NYC scene for their electrifying showmanship and no-nonsense sound. With a lineup that features the blistering fretwork of lead guitarist Max Knight, the thunderous low-end of bassist Rod Viquez, and the explosive percussion of drummer Bill Peluso, Ryder delivers an authentic rock experience that pays homage to the genre’s legends while forging a distinct, heavy path of their own.
Ryder is set to unleash their anticipated live album, Live From the Dark, on February 13, 2026. Recorded across several packed shows in 2025, the nine-track collection is a testament to the band’s refusal to hide behind studio magic, featuring zero overdubs, edits, or corrections. Heavily featuring cuts from their recent release Menagerie, the album offers fans a "kick-in-the-teeth" listening experience that transports them directly to the front row.
Check out Ryder’s music, tour stops and show them some love at the links below!
Tour Dates: https://bandgroupeez.com/musicians/ryder
Ryder on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ryder/1506211003
Ryder on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2t1TX6oweFBScAJhQMqqRC
Ryder on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryder_ny/
#indiemusic #independentmusic #diymusic #bandinterview #livemusic
Connect with us online and become a part of the SALTYmf family!
Website: https://saltymf.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltymf_goat/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SALTYmfGOAT
More
In this episode of Salty's Live Music, we welcome the rock band Ryder from Queens, New York, featuring members James and Max. Our conversation touches on their decade-long journey in the music industry, discussing the evolution of their band, the lively New York music scene, and their commitment to authenticity in their music. James shares how he and Max always ran in the same circles and eventually connected over a shared passion for rock and roll, and they reflect on the influence of their upbringing in New York on their sound and style. The band emphasizes their DIY approach to music and music production, highlighting their upcoming live album, 'Live From the Dark,' which captures the live essence of their performances across various cities. This episode is proudly sponsored by Band Groupeez, a live music service connecting music lovers with independent musicians and local venues. Access your local music scene now at https://bandgroupeez.com About Ryder: Hailing from the concrete jungle of Queens, New York, Ryder is a high-octane hard rock outfit that fuses the swagger of classic arena rock with a gritty, modern edge. Fronted by the powerhouse vocals and rhythm guitar of namesake James Ryder, the band has carved out a reputation in the NYC scene for their electrifying showmanship and no-nonsense sound. With a lineup that features the blistering fretwork of lead guitarist Max Knight, the thunderous low-end of bassist Rod Viquez, and the explosive percussion of drummer Bill Peluso, Ryder delivers an authentic rock experience that pays homage to the genre’s legends while forging a distinct, heavy path of their own. Ryder is set to unleash their anticipated live album, Live From the Dark, on February 13, 2026. Recorded across several packed shows in 2025, the nine-track collection is a testament to the band’s refusal to hide behind studio magic, featuring zero overdubs, edits, or corrections. Heavily featuring cuts from their recent release Menagerie, the album offers fans a "kick-in-the-teeth" listening experience that transports them directly to the front row. Check out Ryder’s music, tour stops and show them some love at the links below! Tour Dates: https://bandgroupeez.com/musicians/ryder Ryder on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ryder/1506211003 Ryder on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2t1TX6oweFBScAJhQMqqRC Ryder on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryder_ny/ #indiemusic #independentmusic #diymusic #bandinterview #livemusic Connect with us online and become a part of the SALTYmf family! Website: https://saltymf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltymf_goat/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SALTYmfGOAT