Intimate shows a dream for Ryan

Songwriter Ryan Webb will be back in town this month after recently returning from a successful European tour.

‘‘I’ve spent a lot of time and have a lot of mates in Bunbury,’’ Webb said.

‘‘I used to play Fitzy’s every second weekend.’’

The 27-year-old Narrogin-bred musician, more used to small gigs in Harvey, Collie and Margaret River, found himself in Europe after winning the international songwriting competition Festival4Songs.

Webb’s melodic tale of a difficult break-up, Midnight Drive, impressed the judges and won him first prize in the singer/songwriter category.

‘‘It was the best thing I’ve ever done, there was some awesome crowds,’’ Webb said.

‘‘Europe has a very healthy folk circuit, despite the language barriers.’’

Webb decided to make the most of the trip and organised an tour of eight countries playing varied pubs and clubs along the way.

‘‘In Oxford I played to 120 people all sitting on pillows, there were no microphones and it was all acoustic,’’ Webb said.

‘‘It’s a songwriter’s dream to hold people’s attention like that, it was the definition of intimate.’’

Six years ago Webb joined up with his brother, who plays the bass, and a few other mates to form his band, Ryan Webb and The Method.

The outfit have been tracking an impressive touring schedule including national tours supporting respected Australian acts such as crooner Nathan Gaunt.

Over the years the band has racked up hundreds of performances in some of Perth’s most well known venues, holding down various residencies and supporting various artists.

After taking his music around the world Webb is back in the South West and will be joined Kim Churchill at the Prince of Wales Hotel this Friday night.