Ferrn is what happens when creativity, friendship, and a shared love of music collide. This Chicago-meets-Gainesville collaboration started as a solo pandemic project and has since transformed into a fully realized five-piece band. Their new album, Endless & Elsewhere, blends emotional storytelling with lush, intricate production and an energy that feels alive.

It all began with Ryan Backman, a Gainesville native whose musical journey started at age 8 on the piano. With a background in music theory and electroacoustic composition from the University of Florida, Ryan was a fixture in Gainesville’s music scene before taking a break—only to come back stronger in Chicago. As Ferrn’s singer, songwriter, composer, and producer, Ryan brings an emotional depth and creativity to the band that’s the heart of their sound.

Jonathan Mondragon, Ferrn’s bassist and producer, has been a staple in Chicago’s music scene for 15 years. With a bass in hand since age 14 and a pedal obsession not long after, Jonathan has an ear for texture and detail. Thanks to his training in Audio Engineering at Full Sail University, he’s a wizard at crafting Ferrn’s unique sound.

Then there’s Tyler Earls, the band’s guitarist, whose dynamic playing has taken Ferrn’s music to new heights. Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, Tyler has been part of bands like Poppy Mallows and Augurs of Eden, as well as his own solo project, Cuckoo & The Birds. His addition to Ferrn brought an edge and vibrancy that reshaped their tracks, adding layers of depth and energy.

Ferrn’s sound started in Ryan’s home studio, where he poured his pandemic blues into the keys, synths, and vocals. These raw, introspective beginnings evolved into something bigger when Tyler joined, adding guitar that shifted the music from moody to electrifying. Together, they reworked and reimagined tracks until everything clicked. The final step? Recording with Max Grazier (of Rat Tally) at Grazier Audio, who added the finishing magic that tied it all together.

It’s music made for uncertain times—Endless & Elsewhere is born out of the isolation of a pandemic and the ever-present weight of climate change. For Ryan, Florida’s landscapes and the looming reality of environmental collapse became recurring themes, inspiring a sonic world that feels beautiful yet eerie. The result is music that’s as haunting as it is hopeful, pushing toward clarity and progress while acknowledging the chaos.

The album creates a wild, vivid soundscape—a dystopian Florida that’s as eerie as it is stunning. Every track balances a tension between chaos and calm, pulling you into its world and refusing to let go. It’s immersive, otherworldly, and somehow hits close to home, blending the strange beauty of its fictional setting with raw, real-life emotions. The whole thing feels like its own little universe—haunting, hypnotic, and totally unforgettable.

2025 is set to be a huge year. The band is gearing up for their first live shows, which promise to be as immersive and boundary-pushing as their music. There’s also a YouTube series in the works, featuring ambient sets filmed with a “swampy” aesthetic and intricate light shows.

With roots in improvisation, a deep commitment to collaboration, and a sound that’s both introspective and forward-thinking, Ferrn is carving out a space that feels entirely their own. Keep an eye (and an ear) on this band—they’re just getting started, and it’s going to be something special.

Endless & Elsewhere is out now on all major streaming platforms

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Listen to Ferrn and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Indie & Alternative’

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