We got caught up with the young artist Graham Riley to learn more about his artistry, influences, and upcoming plans.
Hey Graham Riley! Your track "Lucid" is such a deeply personal and introspective track. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind it and what led you to explore the theme of mental clarity amidst physical pain?
Thank you. The inspiration behind Lucid came from a trip to Mexico with my ex-girlfriend about two years ago. I was pretty heavily addicted to nicotine and we ran out of cigarettes, so the next several days were difficult for me in that physical sense, just battling the craving. At the same time, I regained some mental clarity that had once been lost. Lucid is about how much I disliked that sober <laugh> feeling. I think the message behind Lucid is sort of nihilistic, but it captures a moment in time rather than reflecting my general attitude. I wouldn't say that I’m a very nihilistic person, but Lucid sprouted out of a quick, expressive moment. Interrogating a particular moment is often where I think my best music comes from.
Your musical journey began at a very young age, with appearances on shows like the Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Oprah Winfrey Show. How have those early experiences influenced your approach to music and your growth as an artist?
Yeah, it’s sort of strange that I was on those talk shows at such a young age. Funny enough, I was on those talk shows not for any musical ability, but for my, at the time, extensive knowledge of US history, US presidents, and the US government (I was a nerd!). If I have brought anything from those experiences over to my artistry, it’s a sense of confidence and calm in front of a crowd. I've tried to carry this attitude throughout my life; I want to feel as comfortable as I can in front of a live crowd and also the more “impersonal audience” which comes with releasing your music out into the public. Performing or releasing music is a vulnerable thing to do if you’re, you know, being honest, authentic and forthright. So although I wasn't performing music on those shows, I feel as if the experience of “performing” and receiving positive feedback catalyzed me.
Your eclectic style draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, from Kid Cudi to King Krule. How do you navigate blending these influences into your own unique sound, and what do you hope listeners take away from your music?
A lot of my favorite music comes from artists who blend two or more styles to create a fusion; I think so many of those who we consider to be the greatest artists of all time have done this. Really, it doesn't feel forced for me to be bringing different genres and inspirations together - it's more of a natural consequence of my musical upbringing. I draw from what I've listened to, what I've played, what my friends play, and so on. However, I think that my earliest years were quite formative to the way that I view melody, flow, and in regards to what I create, even though my taste has changed pretty dramatically from the time I was in elementary school, or even high school. Overall, I'm not really “navigating” the blend, but more so drawing on my classical piano training, my love for hip hop and sort of alternative pop/rap, as well as my love for ballads (specifically pop ballads).
I've never had a good answer to the question, “What should listeners take away from my music?” because I try not to go into my creative process with any goal for the audience. I go
into my creative process with the goal of openness, emotional vulnerability, patience and honesty. Which, you know, nine out of 10 times I sit down to write a song, one of those things will be difficult to tap into because of the particular moment in my life. I've always tried to put living my life before anything else, and because of that, I see the music I create as a consequence or product of the experiences that I have. Maybe my music can speak to an idea or emotion someone hasn't thought about before but can relate to; maybe I can bring about for the audience a new feeling or an old feeling? That to me is what great music does. It evokes.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you in terms of future projects or collaborations? Are there any themes or concepts you're excited to explore in your upcoming music?
I will be releasing more music in 2024; some music I'm really excited about! I’m exploring some new genres and styles; just having fun and trying to tap into the joy of the creative process. Creation for me has become all about trying to capture the pure joy I had when I was starting out, the joy I had when I didn’t have any expectations for myself, the joy I had without any pressure from the outside or without any of the inhibitions that dilute an artist’s creative flow. I'm looking forward to what is to come.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to find their own unique voice and make their mark in the industry?
It might be cliché, but my advice to young artists would be to create from a place of honesty and joy, as opposed to seeking external validation or material success. With that said, there are some artists who become successful and receive external validation through working towards it (they work hard and deserve it!). Perhaps, to me, the art that comes out of those external thoughts and aims is more often than not lacking the emotional quality that, in my opinion, is vital to great art. Until the last hundred years or so, music has never been about commerciality, material success, or external recognition. It has been about emotions and connection. Unfortunately, in the hyper-capitalist world we live in, material aims are put on a pedestal. But that doesn't mean any young artist should feel pressure to succumb to the “strategic mindsets” that distract from authenticity and beautiful art. This is not to knock anyone or their hustle, but more to express that in my experience, I’ve found that approaching music from the heart, so to speak, is much healthier than approaching music from the head in the pursuit of success and external validation! So I'd say to follow the feeling; follow the joy. Don't act based on the anxiety of success.