Certainly Beatlesque, with the odd flash of Elvis - all brought into the modern era.
No AI, no sampling, just 100% self-made songs.
Songs By the child within, for the child within
a hunger seems to exist
For some time now there has been a growing trend of music lovers turning to the old classic bands and their albums. Even younger generations are showing a craving for music created before they were born, that golden era of rock and pop supergroups. Turning their backs somewhat, on the perfectly-produced, but often soulless, modern music that seems to have saturated our world, not to mention the direct threat of AI creations.
So 'the why' is simple. Real writers, real singers, real musicians. There was always a spirit in that music that connects people back to the soul - and stirs feelings of a better time.
Songs of Riley is the collective body of work from English Singer/Songwriter and Producer, Lee Riley. His passion has always been to re-connect with that spirit and bring it into the 21st century.
You would certainly describe Lee's music as quite naturally 1960s influenced, with the odd injection of the likes of Buddy Holly, Paul Simon and even Elvis. Lee is playful with genres and loves using his voice as an instrument, switching vocal styles to fit the song or story. From his humble beginnings as a 14 year old self-taught guitarist, to a dedicated songwriter, vocalist and imaginative storyteller, Lee's passion and excitement for music has endured over the years.
On the subject of writing, Lee explains "My songs seem to come from that inner child within, as if singing to the inner child in others".
It cannot be said that Lee hasn't worked hard for his art - building up thousands of hours writing and recording, as well as 20 years as a gigging musician in various bands.
“Song writing is my passion. It is, and has always been, the primary driving force in my soul. It's about doing what makes yourself happy.” - Lee Riley
Pre-2006
Lee spent years passionately writing a lot of songs, carefully forging out the better ones from the bad. He spent the odd jam session with old guitarist friends, playing in temporary blues and garage bands, but nothing significant. Writing was Lee's primary focus at this time, being inspired by life's loves, changes and events, as well as good old imaginative story telling.
“The creation process is all about getting yourself in the right state or mood and staying there. You have to love what you're doing enough to lose yourself in it. I immerse myself in my own imagination and play like a child would play. Out of all that 'play' come the songs.”
2006 HayDay
Having built up a body of original material, Lee began this year reaching out to collaborate with other artists and answered an advertisement from a fellow singer/songwriter, Amy Haydon. They met and instantly sparked, forming the duo Hayday, working on each other's songs.
Their voices complimented each other wonderfully, producing warm and folky harmonies. One of the most notable songs to come from this partnership was We'd Make Up, which they finished together from the rough idea of a song of Lee's called 'She Wakes Up'.
Alas, the duo were unable to keep up the momentum and split later that same year.
“There's always a song in my head, waiting to get out. If I get lucky, a simple song can quickly gain a life of it's own, and when it does, magic happens..”
2007-2013 Surrender The Booty / Headstock
These years saw Lee team up with another guitarist and songwriter, Andrew Antcliff, and bassist Andy Howley, to form the trio Surrender The Booty, performing originals and 60s-80s rock hits around the local area.
In dire need of a drummer, they replied to an advert in a local music shop and Alan Poskett joined the band on drums. They renamed the band Headstock and continued to perform around the local circuit as a 4 piece for several years.
In 2013 the band called it a day with both Alan and Lee leaving.
2014-2022 The Timezone Years
A year after Headstock disbanded, Lee took up an offer from his old drummer, Alan, to play rhythm guitar for the cover band he was in, Timezone. They were already quite a successful, established outfit, principally performing classic rock and pop 'guitar band' hits from the 1950's to 1990s. They gigged extensively in clubs, pubs and for private functions across the North and East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Timezone received many acclaims during these years as the tightness of the band grew and business boomed. They built a large solid fanbase and a wonderful reputation as a live 'goodtime' dance band. During these years Lee massively improved technically and enjoyed his live performances while he continued writing original material in the background.
The 2020-2022 period during lockdown saw Lee knuckle down in his home studio, honing his production skills. With everyone isolating and no socialising, this became a very productive studio period with many older songs being recorded and mixed, and new ones written.
“I often hear the finished production in my head. Every bassline, drum fill, harmony, guitar lick. It then becomes a giant jigsaw puzzle to drag into sonic existence. The difficult part is making it sound as good as it does in my head.”