Interviews
Riley Smith – I’m on Fire
By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?
A) I just finished creating my first solo EP. It’s been over a year and half in the making, and I’m very excited to release it and put it out there.
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) The entire EP was made in Nashville. Every single piece of it. And I wanted the city to help define the sound – from the writers I wrote with, to the players who played on the record. And Nashville has become so diverse in its sound. Giving the songs so many layers, so many textures.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) My musical taste is diverse. I’d say that I spend equal time with all the different sounds I’m into: Jazz, Blues, Country, Singer-Songwriter, Indie pop and electro pop.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “I’m on Fire.”
A) The story is more in the conception of the song. I co-wrote it with Tim Lauer (The Executive Producer of the music for the TV Show “Nashville”) and Mathew Perryman Jones (singer-songwriter). I am a huge fan of both of them and getting that co-write was a dream for me. We had a real great energy together and very effortlessly came up with a story that reflected something we could all relate to. The synergy was there and the song just flowed out.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) It’s a story everyone can connect to. I think most of us have been in that place in life. And I think we found a warm tone in a dark concept that people will enjoy.
Q) What made you want to transition into country music?
A) I haven’t necessarily transitioned into country. The genre is very open to interpretation. You’ll hear the different influences in different songs, but you’ll always hear the common thread of the major influence – Nashville.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) Each song is different. Sometimes it’s a melody and then you find the words that fit that vibe. Sometimes it’s a story or thought that turn into words, that I then find chords for. Every song on the EP started with me coming into a co-writing session with a list of ideas I have in my notes – things I’ve been through, things I have witnessed or things I have just thought about. I’d throw out a bunch of them out and we would decide as a group which one we would want to chase.
Q) How does it feel to express yourself creatively through music?
A) Freeing
Q) What can fans expect from a live Riley Smith performance?
A) A few dad jokes and a good time.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) I just love to play.
Q) Will there be an EP or full album coming in the near future?
A) I recorded fourteen songs before choosing the first six for the EP, but I fully plan to head back to Nashville for some more writes and recording session – get another group of songs in the mix and put out another six to round out a full album by Christmas. But I also don’t want to rush it. I’ve taken my time on this EP and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. There really won’t be one thing I’d change when this EP comes out and that’s such a relief, knowing you left it all out there and did it the way you wanted. So, that will be my process to finish the album or put out the next EP. Whatever it is, I’m gonna make sure it’s the best thing I can put out.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) I’d love to collaborate with Tim Lauer again. He’s an incredible writer/producer/ player.
Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Again, there are so many. I really love what Thomas Rhett is doing for country mainstream music. And Chris Stapleton and Sturgil Simpson are icons right now for me. Everyone who knows me, knows my love for Empire of the Sun. And I’m pretty excited to see Phoenix play at a couple music festivals this summer. They both have a great sound.
Q) What do you hope people take away from listening to your music?
A) I hope it moves an emotion in them.
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