10 Questions with ... Riley Clemmons

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

At 18 years old, Riley Clemmons is currently the youngest artist gracing the Christian Adult Contemporary radio charts, as her debut single "Broken Prayers" recently broke into the Top 20 at both Mediabase and BDS. She's a pop artist at heart, but considering the Nashville-bred singer-songwriter was raised on Southern Gospel by a mother who sang in the church gospel choir, she's certainly developed a versatile style and delivery of her own, since signing with Capitol Christian in 2016.

1) Is there a specific moment when you realized that you were meant to be an artist?

Growing up, I knew I wanted to sing. I knew I wanted to write and create my own songs. I met my manager when I was thirteen, completely accidentally at a middle school choir performance. A few months later, I signed on with him and went on my first co-write. Looking back, I'm beyond grateful that I was able to put my dream of doing music into action at such a young age. It's been such a wildly hands-on learning process, but made me even more sure that I wanted to be an artist. I'm 18 now, and it still feels very much like a dream. Writing and singing are passions, and being able to write and sing as an artist is truthfully a dream come true -I know that sounds so cheesy, but I mean it!

2) Who has most-influenced you as a singer-songwriter?

Taylor Swift. Say what you will about her, but she can write a song. I've grown up on her music; initially enamored by the fact that she writes and crafts her own music. She so genuinely was-and is-able to speak to where I am in my own life, which is so important to me as a young woman. She's relatable and honest, and speaks to her audience in a voice that's uniquely hers. At 10 years old, I distinctly remember having the desire to tell my stories through music like Taylor Swift.

3) What role has your family played in supporting your career as an artist?

Starting out in the music industry at 13 years old, my family has always been incredibly supportive and involved. Going to high school and starting a career at the same time has definitely presented it's own challenges, all of which my parents and siblings have been right by my side. It's a unique situation so it's been a learning experience for all of us, and I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to be surrounded by such a great foundation throughout this journey. My family has been a constant source of unconditional love, helping me to keep the main thing the main thing, because it's not always easy. It's been fun to get to experience this with them.

4) How do you maintain life as a normal teenager, considering you're not exactly living a normal teenage life?

Starting a music career has definitely created some abnormalities in my teenage years so far, but honestly in the best way possible. It's been so much fun. During my junior year of high school, I started writing and working more intensively than ever before, so I would go to school and leave early every day to go to a meeting or the studio. I think that's when it first hit me that the next few years would look a little bit more unorthodox. As abnormal as my schedule has been with music and traveling, I do make a lot of effort to keep things normal by spending time with my friends and family. Not to mention, I'm finishing up my senior year of high school online, so that also helps to maintain a pretty normal teenage life.

5) What are the most important lessons you've learned over the past year as a new artist in the music industry?

Stay open to learning. Listen in the studio. Watch how music production works. Ask my co-writers questions. Ask the label questions. Learn how the music industry works. Learn how radio works, how streaming works. I did a lot of research and asked so many questions. It's been important for me to be able to insightfully add to a conversation and to ask the right questions. I'm always learning something new. It's really helped me to understand who I am as an artist and as a member of the music industry. As a young woman, I want to be able to use my voice and support my ideas and decisions. I think a big part of using my voice has been found in being willing to listen.

6) When did you first start writing songs and what were you singing about? What is one song you've written that will never see the light of day?

I started writing songs around the age of eight. I had a billion little journals full of song lyrics and poems, and if I read them out loud now I'm sure we'd all be cringing. As I grew older, my desire to write songs continued to grow; learning how to be more vulnerable and honest with myself and in my music. It became more natural and important for me to express whatever it was that I was in the middle of in a transparent way. I think some of my earliest songwriting (the stuff that doesn't make me totally cringe), came from a period in my life when I started asking difficult questions about my faith and self-worth. Coming from a church background, the idea of writing about God was never foreign to me, but I knew that as a songwriter, I 100% wanted to push myself to write exactly what I feel when it comes to figuring out who I am and what I believe. I definitely grew into writing, learning from co-writers and producers, listening to music, and experimenting as a songwriter. I've written my fair share of songs that will never see the light of day. I love listening to them from time to time. It reminds me that growth is a beautiful and constant thing.

7) As your label released "Broken Prayers" to radio, how did the promotion aspect of the release stretch you?

As "Broken Prayers" was being released, I went on my first radio promotion tour. That in itself provided its own set of challenges. Throughout the course of one month, I had around twenty flights and spent a good bit of time driving around the US. I was sleeping in different cities every night, away from family and home, which was a brand new concept for me. I did a lot of school work on airplanes and in cars, learning to adjust to a new and unique schedule. I genuinely enjoyed the process. It was incredible to have the opportunity to visit so many cities, meet so many different radio stations, and to begin to learn how radio operates. Radio is such a powerful outlet, and I enjoyed getting to have conversations with the individuals behind the microphones. It was a gigantic learning experience, but I think it was incredibly important for me as an artist. Having the opportunity to share my story and hear the stories of the music directors and program directors of various radio stations allowed for a meaningful and personal connection to be made between myself, radio, and the song.

8) As an artist, what has been the most "I can't believe I'm doing this" moment for you so far?

This entire journey has been a stream of "I can't believe it" moments. One of my favorites so far has been filming the "Broken Prayers" music video in the salt flats of Salt Lake City. It was surreal. The video hitting one million views was another one of those moments. Seeing the music connect is unlike anything else. It's a very unique experience to watch a song transform from a personal experience to something that an audience can access and apply to themselves.

9) Are there any collaborations on your upcoming album?

I chose not to include any collaborations on my first project, because I really wanted to genuinely introduce listeners to who I am as an individual and artist. I'm excited to share personal pieces of my story on this project and through the songs I've written. In the future, I would love to collaborate with other artists. I love hearing unique voices and sounds come together.

10) Do you consider how much you want your social media followers to know you? What messages about yourself and your purpose do you hope/aim to present to them?

From the beginning, it's been really important to me that I'm hands-on with my social media. Social media often gets a really negative light, and I can understand that, but it's also a really powerful tool. I want to use my social media to let followers get a clearer picture of who I am, behind the music and images. For me, it's a means to control the narrative in a throughly positive way. I've had days where I'm personally struggling and see something on social media that adds light and hope into my life. It can be such a source of community and connection, which, in the end, is what it's all about. I love communicating with the individuals listening to the music. I want my followers to know that we're all in this together, truthfully never alone. I love that social media can help to bridge those gaps.

What artists-dead or alive-would make up your top three dream collaborations?

Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel and Adele.