RIVAH Interview - A Natural Progression
Meet RIVAH, one of the newest pop acts to emerge from Brisbane. We had a chat to the rising vocalist about her latest single, 'Cheerleader', launching the RIVAH project, and much more.
Futuremag Music: Hey RIVAH, how's life?
RIVAH: Haha so good. Brisbane winter is mint.
Futuremag Music: I feel that, how great is QLD weather! Being a new artist to the scene, can you give us some insight to your relationship with music over the years?
RIVAH: I’ve grown up in music. Sometimes I kinda wish I had gone camping more too but as a kid I grew up backstage at the theatre while my dad was music director. Music has always felt like home. Some people ask if I get nervous on stage but it feels natural. I get nervous in sports comps.
Futuremag Music: What inspired you to launch the RIVAH project?
RIVAH: I disappeared to live overseas and write. I’d always wanted to do full-time songwriting to see what I could come up with if I really immersed in it. Oh man. Not what I expected. My eyes opened to so much more than writing and funnily enough the less I tried the better I found it. The songs I wrote were definitely the start of something new hence, RIVAH.
Futuremag Music: Your single, 'Cheerleader' is the definition of pop. How'd you write and produce such an infectious single?
RIVAH:Aw thanks! Well, a few things went into that.
A) Lots of sugar from the floor to ceiling lolly cupboard at Universal Music Studios,
B) Lots of energy between me and Jesse Porsches on the day
C) My natural instinct to go against the current.
Let me explain... when everyone is sad I’m like "heyyyy guys it’s not so bad," and when everyone is happy I’m like "yeah but have you thought about these problems?" I was actually coming out of a season of feeling pretty isolated and lonely but I’m like "nahhh I’m gonna write a song about having people around me who love me and cheer me on!" Often the lyrics I’m speaking out are also what I hear said to me.
Futuremag Music: What was your favourite part of the writing process?
RIVAH:Writing is such a funny thing. So unpredictable. My favourite part of the writing process is surrender.
Futuremag Music: A sort of funny one to wrap things up, if 'RIVAH' was a cocktail, what would be in it to best describe yourself and your music?
RIVAH:Mmm if would definitely have peanut butter in it... And berries... And almond milk. Like a peanut butter & jelly cocktail? I’m not sure if my music sounds like peanut butter but I love it. I would like people to get peanut butter out of my music.