Interview with Rhian!

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• I come from a family of singers. There was a lot music around me when I was growing up. We sang as a family all the time so I think it was natural that I gravitated towards music. Writing came out of necessity. Music has saved my life. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• I enjoy weight lifting, walking, and bike riding. I really take in and absorb whatever environment I am in. I’m very inspired by the sounds I hear and the things that I see. I’ve started writing a lot of songs while I’m walking or riding.

How long have you been making music?

• Well, I started singing when I was 4 or 5 in my dad’s church. I began writing in my teen years but that was more of a personal thing that nobody knew about. I’ve performed in many countries around the world but it was only this year that I released my first single.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

• I was born in Trinidad and grew up there. I’ve also lived in Shanghai (6 years) and New York at the beginning of the pandemic. I’m now based in London. Living in so many different places has definitely influenced me as a person and naturally as an artist. I’m very inspired by what I see and what’s going on around me. Living in London, I am a massive lover of house music.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

• This is a tough one. I’ve performed so many times but if I had to pick one it would be July 2019. I performed at a concert honoring the music of the great Michael Jackson to a sold-out crowd at The Pearl Theatre in Shanghai. The energy in the room was amazing.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• I love performing at Freedom in central London. The sound is always amazing and the audience are always full of love and enthusiastic. I would love to perform at bigger stages and get dancers involved and really put on a show. Mighty Hoopla organizers, if you’re reading this. I’m ready!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• Well… I answered the first part already. I love Olly Alexander and Jessie Ware. Right now, I’m also really digging Raye.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• I’d say, be yourself and trust your intuition. There’s only one of you in this world and you’re special. Be authentic; let that shine through and you’ll be sure to connect and resonate with people.

• Advice to my younger self would be “Don’t be afraid.” “Go for it!”

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• While we’re on that theme, it’s a song that I haven’t released yet called “You Got This.” It’s about overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

• Well, I’ve only just started releasing my own music. I love performing my first single “I Need Your Love” and watching the audience sing along.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

• I’m always creating melodies in my head, wherever I am. I could be on a crowded train and I’d stop in my tracks and record a voice note on my phone of me humming a melody that popped into my head.

  I’m very inspired by sounds and the things that I see and experience. I haven’t sat down in the traditional way of having a songwriting session yet. I’m the sole writer on all of my songs so far. However, I’d love to collaborate with other writers and see where that takes me creatively.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

• Music has been with me through the good times and bad times throughout my life. I say this all the time but music has saved my life. I write from my heart and I’d like to connect with people to inspire, motivate, uplift them through my music.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• My latest release Be My Baby This Christmas is out now but I’ve also recorded a brand new disco/house remix with all new vocals and reworked the chord structure. That’s out on the 16th December.

• I’m also working on my finishing up the recording of my first EP entitled “The Real Rhian! Volume 1” which will be released in the spring of 2023.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

• I’m on all social media platforms but I’m most active on Instagram. You can find me @the_real_rhian