1.Thank you very much for your time! Before we introduce your new release to our readers – what kind of drink would you recommend to sip on while they listen to your new music?
You can always find me with a glass of Pink Champagne or Prosecco. It’s very me and representative of my music; bubbly, fun and tasty haha!
2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
Well, I just released my first single “I Need Your Love” and the video at the end of June. I’m very proud that so far it has peaked at no. 21 on the iTunes pop charts. I’m so grateful and overwhelmed by the support. A mini UK tour is in the works and I’ve also just finished recording the 2nd single which is a reggae-pop BOP! No slowing down here. I’m so excited!
3. We live in times of many conspiracy theories. Which, harmless, theory would you wish were true? (For example Dinos living inside Earth or E.T. living in a home in California)
I hope this doesn’t sound weird but, I would love the rumours of Michael Jackson still being here with us to be true. It would be a dream for me to collaborate with him. He’s a legend and huge inspiration to me as an artist.
4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
My style is quite loud, glam, and unconventional…just like me. I told someone the other day that my style is inspired by everything I couldn’t do, couldn’t be growing up.
5. Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?
I’m covering a range of topics with my music. I’ve lived in the Caribbean, UK, US and China. I’m talking about my life. Who I am and why I am who I am. The ups, the downs and everything in between. My story is one of overcoming and surviving. I’m hoping that my music will inspire, motivate and heal. Music has been my joy and my saving grace all of my life. I’d like to share this journey with the world.
6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?
I make the best pizzas from scratch.
7. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
I’m constantly growing an evolving. I can’t be put into a genre box.
My songs come to me at strangest of times. Watching a movie, on a train, walking, shopping, falling asleep etc… I literally have to stop what I’m doing, hum into my phone and record voice notes so I won’t forget the melodies.
I love performing and connecting with people when I perform. I love making people feel happy through music. It’s when I feel most alive. Music is life!
I write from my heart and sing from my heart. If it’s not real and authentic it will never work for me, just like anything in this life.
I write my own melodies, music, arrange and produce my own vocals and sing all of my own background vocal parts.
8. How did you learn to sing/ to write/ to play??
My parents. They met in the church choir in their teens. There was always music around the house growing up. We sang together as a family at home and in church. I sang my first solo when I was 4/5. I still remember that day, the song and the response from the congregation.
Writing came out of necessity. I wasn’t allowed to be myself growing up and the pain and anguish of concealing my sexuality had me humming melodies quietly in my bedroom. Those melodies became songs that I kept to myself and were my therapy.
9. A question you’d like to answer, but have never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
After performing for so many years why is it only now that you’re releasing your own music?
To expand on what I wrote above…I’ve been writing since I was a lille boy but it is/ was a very personal thing for me. I was also not very confident that anyone would like to hear what I had to say. “I Need Your Love” is one of first songs that I’ve written that isn’t depressing. It’s fun, sexy and confident. It’s reflective of where I am in my life now and I’m so comfortable in my own skin and proud of who I am. It’s been a long, long journey for me to learn to love myself as a gay man and not be afraid show people who I am.
Instagram: @the_real_rhian