Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I was born on the Caribbean Island, Trinidad but I am based in London now. Music has been a huge part of my life from a young age and still is. I was always doing something music related over the years, but always as a side hustle. It wasn’t until this year after the passing of my mother and the realization that life is too short for what ifs. I put myself out there and now I can’t imagine doing anything else. I live and breathe music.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I grew up in a musical family. Everyone sings and/or plays an instrument, so there was music around me from a young age. I sang in various choirs as a young boy and that really helped me develop my ear for harmonizing and understanding chord progressions. I then studied music production at the London Centre of Contemporary Music.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. The greats!
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Be My Baby This Christmas’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Funny you should ask. A Christmas single wasn’t on the cards until I wrote it at the end of September. It was late at night; I was already asleep and the sound of someone ringing the doorbell woke me up. Something about those chimes inspired me and I started humming the melody for “Be My Baby” and the lyrics came just as quickly. I sang everything into my phone and wrote the lyrics in my notes. The next day I laid down the demo and the here we are today. I love Christmas and I wanted to evoke feelings of nostalgia and create something timeless.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I am working on my debut EP entitled “The Real Rhian!” which is on schedule to be released in spring 2023.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I write from my heart. The way that the melodies and lyrics come to me is so special and spiritual that I feel I must share it with everyone. I guess you can say my music is pop but there are so many layers and subgenres attached to that. Wait for the EP and you’ll see what I mean.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Music has been my saving grace all of my life. The thing that will never let me down and will always stay by my side. Writing is very therapeutic for me. It’s an essential part of my being. I released my first single this June and the response was so overwhelmingly positive. I feel so grateful and blessed. I just want to continue writing, recording and growing in my talent.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Song ideas come to me at the strangest of times. If I’m outside I may see or hear something that inspires me and a melody will come to me. That melody is usually attached with a feeling and the lyrics soon come after. I’ll hum or sing it into my phone and I’ll go to the piano to consolidate the chords and song structure. By the time I get to the studio I already know what I want my song to sound like. I’ll sing or play Massimo (Paramour), my producer what I’m hearing in my head. He has perfect pitch and is an amazing keyboard player. We have a great collaborative relationship and I treasure the creativity of our studio sessions.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: 13 years ago, I was involved in a near fatal car accident. I’m grateful to be alive and treat each day as a gift.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: My life has had may twists, turns, ups and downs that may have discouraged many. I am very proud of my resilience and perseverance. The little boy with big dreams still lives in me.
