Interview with Toria Richings

Jun 6, 2023

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

A) Hearing Joan Baez and Neil Young started my love of music, my world of songwriting was triggered after obsessively listening to these guys!

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

I am always in music in some way!! If I'm not playing my own songs and writing I am listening to other music or watching live bands!! My whole world seems to exist in needing to have music in it every day!! My creativity tends to be triggered by hearing other people's stories, If I hear something sad or happy I find when I'm.songwriting these stories come out

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

A) Well I'm from the UK originally now based in Sydney, writing Americana songs!! I have always had a love of travel, me and my husband have seen so much of the world and I think seeing other cultures and hearing different music genres, definitely influences my music.

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

A) Lots of shows become memorable for so many reasons, But when I played the main stage at Tamworth Music Festival that is certainly up there on big moments, as it was the first big festival stage I had ever played, And it was just me and my guitar so the stage felt so huge!! Standing there looking out was an incredible feeling, that's when I really knew this is what I really want to do!!

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

A) Ohhhh that could be one long line up!!! If I was picking only a select few it would be, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, Freddie Mercury, Tom T. Hall, Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen to name but a few!!!

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?

A) I guess the main thing is patience, It takes some time to build your name, the music industry is full of great highs and great lows, I guess it has to balance out!! Believe in yourself and your music, accept not everyone will appreciate your songs but that doesn't mean they are bad, and most importantly always make sure you're enjoying the process, music a wonderful therapy it's there through sad times and happy times embrace it all!

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

A) My process is unpredictable, I am not a songwriter that sits down with a guitar and pad, and pen and tries to write a song, I get tunes in my head at any time of the day or night, I could be out or home if I'm out I sing it in my phone for later, if I'm home I grab my guitar and work out the chords then usually I'll get a feel or a sentence and I'll write the song from there.

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

A) I'm heading back to Nashville in September to play a showcase for the Americana Fest, we are also just working out a tour in Europe after, so I am hoping to get back to the UK and play some shows there and on to Ireland. I will also be recording some new music and hopefully releasing a second single this year, so there's lots to look forward to!

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