Acoustic,Alternative,California,Live gigs,Los Angeles,Lyricist,Music,Pop,Pop music,Producer,Singer Songwriter,Songwriter,U.S.,Vocals

Blog interview: Riley Way

Hello Riley how are you?

I’m actually pretty well all things considered. Thanks for being so patient with me getting back to you on this. The fires here have been devastatingly surreal, but thankfully our firefighters and first responders have been doing an incredible job. Everyone I know and love is safe, which is the most important thing, but now i’m just really trying to be there for my people who have lost everything, you know? Community is so important especially now.

Congratulations on the pending release of your EP how does it feel? 

It feels amazing! I love writing and I think being able to make music that feels like small little pieces of me as a person is just the coolest thing ever.

Does it have a theme?

I haven’t revealed the title of the EP yet, but the idea is it’s compiled of a bunch of times in my life when I lied to my friends and family and said I was fine, when I really was feeling all sorts of emotions. I’ve always felt things very deeply and had huge emotions, but I’m very strong willed and don’t always like to lean on people. If you lean on people too much you feel like a burden, but if you don’t lean on people at all you go insane and get massive anxiety. At least that’s how it works for me. So these songs were my way of being honest and leaning on myself when I couldn’t let anyone in.

What was the easiest and most challenging part of recording it?

Well we’re not done recording it yet, however, so far the most challenging thing is getting the right feel for each song. The easiest part is definitely having sessions with my dad and my insanely talented musicians that are on this record. There has been so many magic moments while recording these tracks, it’s euphoric and addictive.

What’s your favourite track from it?

Right now I think my favorite track is one called “Queen of Being Fine” because it’s the most honest I’ve been in my writing. It’s extremely vulnerable in a different way than I’m used to. I wrote the song with one of my dear friends and I wanted to write a song about the kind of person I really am. 

You’re an artist from LA. How did it all begin for you?

I basically grew up in the studio sitting in on sessions. When I got home from school I’d immediately run into the studio (if they weren’t recording of course) and if I was quiet I could sit in and just watch. Sometimes I even did homework in the studio because I just loved being around music all the time. I almost always remember music playing throughout the house from the moment I woke up to the minute I went to bed. I still operate like that to this day. Once I learned to talk I’m sure my parents instantly regretted teaching me because I never shut up after that. As soon as I discovered my speaking voice, I began singing along to music playing in the house. I would sing subconsciously without even realizing (I still do this and I sincerely apologize to those around me). After a while I think my parents got used to me belting at random hours of the day/night and have successfully learned to tune me out.

What did you listen to growing up?

In the house I would constantly be listening to Motown like Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye, along with The Beatles, and Jellyfish. At the ripe age of eight I went through a huge Adele phase and accompanied myself singing “Someone Like You” probably a thousand times. Then I moved onto one of the more sophisticated compositions of my time and was obsessed with all the soundtracks from the Barbie Movies. Princess and the Pauper was my personal favorite. Full disclosure, I am a reformed theatre kid and used to listen to lots of musical soundtracks growing up, my favorite being Rent. It’s a rock musical, so once I found that all bets were off and I fell in love with pop/rock. Don’t worry, I ventured out of musicals to explore these genres.

You’ve been working with your dad on your releases, what 3 lessons have you learned from him the most?

I genuinely think I’ve learned so much from my dad over the years everything feels inherently a part of me. The biggest lessons however are probably to always be kind and generous to everyone you work with (this wasn’t ever taught verbally but rather always shown). Also to be patient, take a step back and marinate on ideas when it comes to new mixes. When testing out different routes you can take producing a song, sometimes it can be difficult to try an opposing idea because your brain gets used to the first mix and it seemingly always feels like your favorite in the beginning. Just because it was the first mix you liked though does not mean it is the best one. Lastly, my dad (most likely without even realizing it) taught me how to listen. His ear is incredible and I believe it’s what sets him apart from so many other great recording engineers. He’s taught me how to listen to a mix and notice things that could make or break a record. I don’t really know the method to his genius, but I feel as though he’s given me enough tools to know when something’s the right move through trusting my own instincts and my own ear. Or maybe that just runs in the family haha.

You have performed live dates including supporting Louise Goffin, how has that been for you?

Incredible! I’ve performed my whole life whether it was in a school musical/play, a dance recital, or a choreographed dance my friends and I would make up to convince our parents to let us have a sleepover. One thing that I have struggled with growing up is anxiety, but it’s funny cuz once I sing my first note on stage all of it goes away. I’m always at peace when I’m up there while also fired up with energy from all the adrenaline leading up to it. Performing live might be my favorite of it all at the moment. 

What’s your favourite song to perform live?

Right now it’s “Poison” because the band just shreds for a couple 8 counts and I get to jump around on stage and let out all my emotions I’m feeling. The emotions change every time I’m up there as I cling on to certain lines, but the feeling after is consistently therapeutic. And it’s just a killer song live in my opinion.

Living in LA, what are your three favourite things about the city of angels?

The first thing I love is that I can do everything here. I’ve always been someone who has way too many hobbies, but I like it better that way. Each one satisfied something the others don’t. I like the idea that my career can lead me to accomplish a bunch of different artistic aspirations I have. The second thing I love is the beach. I have a weird unconditional love for the ocean. Anyone who knows me knows that it’s an entire part of me. Other than music, the ocean has always been my safe space and I don’t know if I would be as mentally sound if I couldn’t wake up any day of the week and go to the beach.

Lastly, one of my favorite parts of this amazing city is the community I’ve built?

What are you listening to at the moment?

I’m always all over the place. Really just depends on my mood, but recently I’ve been listening to Amy Winehouse, Radiohead, The Wasia Project, Willow Smith’s newest album Empathogen, and I feel like I’m always listening to something by Billie Eilish.

What three things are you looking forward to doing in 2025?

The most obvious one is getting my EP out. Other than that I’m super stoked to go back to Nashville to write and maybe even do some visual projects tied to my music in 2025. Honestly just can’t wait to see where this year takes me in general!

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