Riff Reign is a Nottinghamshire-based indie rock band, established in 2014 to develop and record songs written by David Wright. As a growing project, self-produced and released, there are now seven members. With four albums, three successful launch gigs and 3000 worldwide online fans – and even a Christmas single – the band is looking forward to future releases and more live performances!
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Riff Reign about their Magician album, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
The band is from the Worksop area of the UK. Band members are:
James Bennett (hand percussion & keys)
Richard Hall (drums)
Linda Lawrence (vocals)
Russ Parsons (vocals)
Chris Pearson (guitars & vocals)
Dave Wright (bass guitar)
The band has so far self-released six full albums, a blues rock EP and a Christmas single, and is currently working on its 7th and 8th albums.
The band’s style is rock-based, but also reaches out into Americana, blues, country, funk and pop.
Several songs are USA influenced. In 1963 Dave’s eventual wife Gwen got herself an American pen friend through the Beatles Fan Club. As a result, Dave and Gwen have travelled extensively in the USA. Songs with a USA influence are Catfish Stew, Country Store, Down To The Town, John Wells, Outlaw and Touchdown London.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Band members have been playing music all their lives. After a long break, Dave returned to live performing in 2013 and resumed song writing, since when he’s written over 100 songs.
Motivation to keep going comes from the knowledge that the band’s songs are popular. For example, the band is played daily on Jango Radio where it now has over 6,500 fans in 157 countries.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
The Magician album doesn’t set out to be different from previous albums. It aims to build on what’s gone before and to improve. The only real difference is that there’s a foray into disco dance with ‘Alright Baby’.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
The main challenge is growth, because it’s very difficult to hold an audience’s attention for more than 24 hours. Most internet services are designed to show immediate statistics (and some give false or irrelevant figures), but the downside is that they very clearly show ‘flashpoint’ interest and how quickly that wanes, when everyone moves on to something new.
Technology has helped the band massively. Plenty of examples. James has a degree in creative music technology and uses his skills constantly with his keyboard work. He’s also the studio engineer, so the band has a huge advantage in that regard. Email is invaluable as is the ability to move tracks around on the internet using MP3s.
What was the last song you listened to?
The last song Dave listened to was Everybody Dance by Chic.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
The band doesn’t record on vinyl because of the cost. All releases are available as CDs as well as being available to download. MP3s are great for moving tracks around on the internet.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Bandcamp is preferred because it’s the only platform that promotes and encourages a workable business plan for artists on any level, and encourages fans to value their work appropriately.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
All releases can be heard on YouTube and can be purchased as downloads at riffreign.bandcamp.com.
