By Sophia Lucente, A&E Editor

Published in print Mar. 25, 2015

Pop rock fans should free their schedules Friday evening for some genuine, all-American fun; Ryan Cabrera will perform at Greene Street Club at 6:00 p.m. as part of the Radio Revival Tour along with Secondhand Serenade, Nick Thomas of the Spill Canvas, Runaway Saints and Wind in sails.

Cabrera, affectionately remembered by many for early-2000’s chart-topping singles like “On the Way Down” and “Shine On”, has reemerged with the release of a new E.P. on March 3 entitled “Wake Up Beautiful”. This particular selection of songs is danceable and driven by catchy acoustic guitar licks. Its lighthearted jams evoke thoughts of first loves and free will, both relics of his older tunes.

“I just love writing music,” said Cabrera in an interview with The Carolinian. “The best thing about music is that you can relate to things however you want to relate to them. I can write something, and you can see it from a different angle – and that’s great! It’s certainly not wrong.”

Both his loves for his trade and his desire to connect with audiences are apparent when talking with Cabrera as well as in review of his path to stardom. In 2005, he hosted MTV’s reality dating show “Score” after appearing in several episodes of “The Ashlee Simpson Show” while he was romantically involved with the ex-punk starlet. He also appeared in “The Hills” with a bad-boy tenderness, again romantic intent as the show captured his involvement with Audrina Patridge.

It’s always refreshing to bear witness to honest singer-songwriting; overtly personal or obscene lyrical content is all too familiar by today’s popular standards. Cabrera’s sound, though based in simplicity, is exactly what he said he wants to offer: fun. And it reflects his appreciation for true musicianship within the pop music spectrum.

“There’s a lot of good pop artists out there,” he explained. “Guys like Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith – I love those guys who have broken into the pop world because they’re doing a great thing and writing meaningful songs. The fact that they’re now considered pop and they’re on the radio is great.”

As for Friday’s show, attendees can anticipate an energetic atmosphere and a set list drawing from both old favorites and newer Cabrera songs including “House on Fire”. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketfly.com for $17 General Admission, and $40 V.I.P. and balcony seating.