Keeping it Real: An Interview with Singer-Songwriter Riley Catherall

 

At the age of 24, most musicians are still finding their feet, and can only dream of one day sharing a stage with some of the industry’s greats.

While country music’s Riley Catherall may still be making a name for himself, he has already collaborated with ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Kasey Chambers, and worked with her and her father Bill on his debut EP, Venture in Vain whilst planning for an upcoming tour and potentially an album in the not-too-distant future.

Despite all this he remains humble in his achievements, as I found out in this interview where we discuss  what he learnt from working with Bill and Kasey Chambers, his passion for writing songs that matter, and the ever-changing face of success.

Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, Venture in Vain, featuring your singles Robin and Watered Down Man. It sounds great.  What was the inspiration behind the singles and your EP?

Thankyou! It feels great to finally get these songs out, I’ve been sitting on them for quite a while now.

They all come from a period of when I’d just moved to Melbourne, away from the stability and routine of living with my parents and friend in Canberra. I sort of found myself alone in this city without friends and not really knowing what I was doing. So, I guess they come from a place of vulnerability trying to figure all that out.

ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Kasey Chambers and Bill Chambers feature on Venture in Vain, and you’ve also recently done some touring with them. What have you learnt from those experiences in relation to the music industry?

I find the Chambers family to be incredibly inspiring, helpful and authentic. Both Kase and Bill have helped me find my feet in the Australian Country scene and shown me that you don’t need to compete with anyone or anything to get to where you need to be.

Their easy-going nature also proves that with the stress and hectic scheduling that they both endure, it is important to make sure you’re enjoying it and in it for the right reasons.

Can you talk me through the recording process as a whole?

The recording process involved taking my songs to Bill’s studio on the Central Coast, tracking drums and the band live on day one with Paul Novosel and then spending the rest of the week adding embellishments.

We had plans to re-track all the guitar and vocals we had put down as scratch tracks to keep the drums in time but ended up using them on the final product instead, believing that the ‘first-take’ imperfections added to the character and prosody of the songs.

Kasey dropped in on the Wednesday and was in and out within the hour, reminding us all how you really do it. Then, just like that, we had all the songs ready to go within about four and a half days.

 

Do you plan to release a full-length album in the near future?

I definitely think a full-length album is next on the cards. I only chose to do this record as a 5 track as I had these five songs which I thought worked in the theme – all being written within the time I had just moved to Melbourne. I’d like to make time to write and record a full length, without the conceptual limitations I placed on this EP.

Your music has been received quite well thus far, with great reviews from Happy Mag and other outlets including Triple J. How does that encourage you when working on new material?

I guess I try not to write FOR anything. I used to get caught in a trap where I was trying to please a specific audience and would often find myself writing gutless songs. Though, in saying that, knowing that the songs that I am proud of, songs that make me happy to have written them, have been received well, is incredibly heart-warming.

How does recognition from platforms offered by those like Triple J help aspiring musicians launch themselves in the industry, in your opinion.

I think the platforms they provide are awesome; I’d honestly like to see more platforms for other styles of music. I think Triple J does a great job at supporting particular genres, though some people expect more from them.

Country music has a great community and I feel so lucky to be a part of such a supportive genre. I’ve found other genres to be much more hostile in a sense, where others often treat the industry as a competition.

You took to music quite early, as your parents were also musically inclined. How did this influence you as a musician? Did you feel better prepared for the industry because of their encouragement/influence?

I was lucky in the sense that I did a lot of growing (musically) when I was younger, so at 24 I’ve now got a firm grasp on what sort of musician I want to be.

I know people who get stuck in to particular genres or ways of producing music, that they’re never completely sure of and in turn, [and] can be scared to try new things.

My parents were very supportive of me trying different avenues, such as classical, jazz and blues.  For a little bit there I was convinced I would find myself in the classic rock world.

 

Who are your idols, both personally and professionally?

My Dad is one of my biggest idols, he was getting me gigs when I was only 15, and encouraging me to play all the time. Both mum and dad have taught me alot about respect and doing what you love, so I aspire to be someone who can do that for my own kids one day.

Musically, you started out with the jazz and classical genres. What appealed to you when making the leap to country music and the Americana sound we can hear on Venture in Vain?

I found a real appreciation for beautifully crafted, simple songs. I started to obsess over good song writing and believe that at the core of any good song, is a well-crafted song that makes you feel something. I found James Taylor, Jason Isbell and Neil Young to be particular good at creating concise, three-and-a-half-minute story telling songs.

Would you ever record a jazz-themed album?

No, I don’t believe so. I definitely tend to draw on my jazz knowledge from time to time. I think James Taylor is a great example of someone who would often bridge the gap between the genres of jazz and folk/country.

 

Can you tell me about your experiences at the CMAA Academy of Country Music and how those experiences influenced you as a musician?

The Academy was a great introduction into the world of Australian Country music. With the help of some incredible mentors and my peers, I was able to try my hand at all sorts of country music and really find my feet.

 

You’ve got a couple of live shows coming up (including appearances at Tamworth). What makes Tamworth Country Music Festival so special?

Tamworth holds a special place for me as my first memories at the academy and the first festival I attended. [It has] provide[d] me with moments of great friendships and pivotal points in my song writing career. I look forward to catching up with friends and being inspired by all the great songwriters up there each year.

 

Is there anyone in particular you’re looking forward to seeing whilst at the festival?

I look forward to seeing all of my friends perform, and to see how they’ve grown as writers and performers. I also look forward to seeing the likes of Lachlan Bryan and Shane Nicholson, as well as BBU [Bennett, Bowtell and Urqhart] and Kasey.

What can fans expect to see at one of your gigs?

Horrible on-stage banter and some sad alt-country songs.

I saw some footage of your Watered Down Man launch, when you did a cover of Bright Lights. Will you include any covers in the set-list for your upcoming gigs, or is it mainly about showcasing your original material?

Mostly originals, I think. Tamworth is a great platform that allows for original shows, which I find truly supportive So I think I’ll make the most of such an opportunity.

What do you enjoy most about touring?
I really enjoy driving, and arriving in different towns I’ve never heard of. I also enjoy all the interesting people you cross paths with.

You’ve had a couple of festival appearances as well as smaller gigs. How do the two compare?

I love the festival scene, there are so many cool people to meet after hours and having so much music in the one spot over a week or weekend. In saying that, I do love playing small intimate rooms that allow me to really home in on trying to captivate a smaller audience, it become more personal that way.

 

Do you make any changes to your set-list or performance style when playing a smaller gig versus a festival slot?

Not really, if I’m with the band things might change to include a few larger songs towards the end of the set, but it all depends on the venue and how the audience is feeling.

 

 

How do you see country music in Australia evolving?

I’m excited to see this ‘Alt-Country’ and ‘Americana’ really take up and find traction. I’d like to see good song writing get more of an appreciation and I believe that these streams of country will be the flagships.

When not performing or recording, what does an average day look like for you?

I do fair bit of session work and pre-production for other musicians here in Melbourne, as well as teaching. When I do get time off, my coffee intake decreases, and I try to get away to the coast with my girlfriend and out to see other people play.

 

What’s the biggest misconception regarding making a career out of music, in your opinion?

That it’s either glamour or absolutely no sustenance. I think people see bands being either really successful or not at all. There are so many great artists and bands out there working really hard at it and achieving their own personal goals – just because they aren’t selling out stadiums doesn’t mean they’re not doing well and reaching goals.

That’s what is great about music, it can be whatever one needs it to be. I don’t believe anyone needs to be as famous as Ed Sheeran to be content with what music provides them with. Some people get the same satisfaction from playing a song they wrote to a half empty bar on Brunswick Street. It’s all relative.

 

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?

Something involving dogs. I bloody love dogs.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry (living or dead), who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with James Taylor, I find his playing and song writing so graceful and he seems like such a humble, gentle man.

How does social media play a part in your success thus far, in terms of expanding your audience and connecting with fans?

I’ve never been great with keeping active on the socials, but I believe that in terms of putting on shows and releasing music, it allows easy access to music and informations that I don’t think I could go without.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Writing songs is practising writing songs. You can’t sit back and wait for the song of the century to come out of you, working on your craft is the only way to get better.

What are the best and worst pieces of advice you’ve ever received in relation to making a career in music?

“You should get a loop pedal” (some punter) is definitely amongst the worst.

“Don’t be a dickhead” (Kasey) would be amongst the best.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve been listening to a bit of Justin Townes Earle and Lori McKenna as of late.

What’s the epitome of success for you as an artist?

When people tell me that seeing me play or listening to my songs inspired them to go home and write as well.

On one particular occasion, someone told me that and I felt I’d reached the height of my career and realised that it doesn’t matter how many people I’m playing for or how successful I am. If I can make someone go home and write like listening to my idols or seeing them play live had made me want to go home and write then that all I could ever dream of.

Riley Catherall will be appearing at Tamworth Country Music Festival on the below dates. To find out more, visit his Facebook page or the festival website.

19th January – Story Tellers – City Sider Motor Inn – Tamworth, NSW

20th January – Tamworth City Bowling Club – Tamworth, NSW

21st January – Royal Australia Bank Stage – Tamworth, NSW

23rd January – Square Man Inn – Tamworth, NSW