We’ve got an amazing three days of entertainment lined up for you over the Bank Holiday weekend and we can’t wait! Turn up and tune in to the Big Weekender for a long weekend at home, with live music from the hottest up and coming talent. Every night from 7pm on the @riverisland Instagram Live, you can enjoy everything from pop and R&B, to folk music and indie-pop.
SIIGHTS
Tell us a bit about yourself
We’re an Irish/Scottish Duo - Mia is from Dublin and Toni is from Glasgow. We’re songwriters, multi-instrumentalists and vocalists. Mia is also a producer.
Describe your sound
We mix organic instruments with electronic sounds and its quite groove based. We have a lot of influences, from folk to funk, so I think they come out in our music.
When did you fall in love with music?
Mia: For as long as I can remember I had a lot of music around me. I used to listen to my parent’s record and CD collections and my dad started teaching me piano when I was 3. I took up guitar a couple of years later and then bass and drums. I used to try to play any instrument I could get my hands on! I was always singing and was fascinated by harmony. I wrote my first song when I was 9 years old and then found that writing songs was a way of expressing myself. Almost like a release and escape in some ways.
Toni: Similar to Mia, I was always too fascinated with music and instruments from as young as 3 years old. I remember getting my first keyboard and writing poems and then turning them into songs. Music has always played such huge role in my life.
When did you start writing or making your own?
Mia: I wrote my first song when I was 9 and I was always interested in the process of recording music and how a song came together in the studio. I recorded my first proper demos of some of my songs when I was 15 - I sang and played all the instruments on them and learned so much from the process. I knew it was something I wanted to continue doing, it felt so natural and I felt so happy doing it.
Toni: I had always written poems for as long as I can remember! I got my first guitar when I was a teenager, taught myself how to play it and started turning the poems into songs.
How did you guys meet?
Toni: We met as Mia was finishing a tour with Hozier! We started writing together as songwriters for other people first and then decided to become a group ourselves.
How are you finding isolation?
It’s definitely challenging, but we’ve been trying to stay positive and been using the time to write and make new music in the studio. I think the key is not to be too hard on yourself if you can’t be as productive as usual and try to stay positive. Making sure we’re getting daily exercise really helps as well!
What are you most looking forward to as we return to ‘normal’?
Getting on a plane, travelling and seeing our friends and family!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Yes, we have a lot of new music on the way which we can’t wait to share! Follow us on social to keep updated - we’ve got a lot of exciting stuff on the way.
ISAAC BUTLER
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Isaac Butler and I’m a singer from Dublin. I write songs about my life and try my best to sing them. I write about everyone… friends, family, ex’s - no one is safe.
Describe your sound
I’d describe my sound as pop. I like to tell stories and write about things that happen in my life - my music is definitely honest! While most of the tracks are nostalgic and youthful, there are some songs that touch on darker subjects, such as heartbreak and anxiety. When producing songs, I love mixing live and programmed elements. There’s nothing like getting in the room with a session musician and coming up with ideas together and then adding all the tasty electronic bits after. The creative process is my favourite part of the puzzle.
Why did you fall in love with music?
Going to gigs made me want to do music for a living. Seeing bands like The Killers and The Script live and experiencing the atmosphere they could create, I loved it and still do. I want to create that sort of atmosphere for other people.
When did you start making your own?
I wrote my first song when I was 12 as part of a charity CD my school was involved in. It was called ‘4 Leaf Clover’ - there’s still quite an embarrassing video of it somewhere on YouTube so if you dig deep you’ll find it.
What do you want it to make people feel?
I want people to listen to my music and feel like they can relate. There are some songs I’ve written about being a bit anxious about the future and writing these really helps me calm down. If I can do that for the listener, I’ve done my job. The other side of it is that I want people to be able to come to a gig and have a great time.
Who inspires & influences you?
I love bands. The Killers, Coldplay, Mumford & Sons. I saw the Killers headline Lollapalooza in Chicago 2018. It was immense. Seeing bands like that play to 50,000 or more is just incredible. That’s the dream, to have a sea of people scream back to me the words I wrote in my bedroom.
How are you coping without IRL audiences?
Performing live is where it’s at for me, so I miss them a lot! There is no better feeling than an intimate room where you can connect with people, have a laugh with them but also know that they are giving you their full attention. Irish crowds are great for that. They give you their full energy for the big moments in the set but when it's time to get quiet and listen they do! I’ve been doing some live online sessions which are fun, but I’m buzzing to get back to the venues.
What are you most looking forward to as we return to ‘normal’?
Just being with friends. This is the time of the year where we should be out enjoying the long evenings. A few drinks and good chats, that’s what I’m missing most. Gigs as well of course! Playing and attending.
SAM CALVER
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Sam Calver and I’m a singer-songwriter from Hastings on the South Coast.
Describe your sound
I would describe my sound now as singer-songwriter with a pop influence.
When did you fall in love with music?
Music is in my bones. I've always loved it. My parents played music around the house all the time growing up and my dad plays guitar so there was always music happening somewhere. I listen to music constantly, I don’t like silence so even if it's in the background I've always got something on.
When did you start making your own?
I started writing my own songs around 14 i think? I then spent a long time playing covers in bands which put my own writing on the backseat, but thankfully I picked it back up and chased my dream again.
What about your style, is it influenced by your music?
I would say yes, I usually wear a very classic and timeless look. I love denim and vintage styles and I guess my music is similar. I try not to use too many sounds which are popular because as soon as the trend moves on, the music seems to follow. Same with style for me, I have so many jackets, denim and bombers - they’re always fashionable, right?
What are you most looking forward to as we return to ‘normal’?
Going to the pub and seeing friends and family!
What makes you feel good?
Family and music. Biscuits too!
Anything else you’d like to share with the RI audience?
My new song “River” will be out in a couple of weeks to conclude my new EP titled HOME. Give me a follow on Instagram and Spotify and get involved! Thanks for having me.
LEXIE
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Lexie, a singer-songwriter from Leicester! I’m very Sagittarius, I love spontaneous adventures, I’m definitely a chocoholic and a bit of a wine snob!
Describe your sound?
Pop soul, with plenty of female attitude! You can definitely hear my old-school influences creeping through. I also listen to a lot of country - I think that's why most of my sounds are quite detailed stories, most of which have come from personal experience.
When did you start making your own music?
I used to make up songs and dances at the side of the football pitch every Sunday because mum and dad always dragged me along to support my brothers football team! But the very first song I wrote on my own, including the guitar, was after my first break up. It was called ‘Find My Way Back To You’ and it was about finding comfort in the fact that if it was meant to be, we would re-connect in future when the time was right... it never was! But it helped me get by at the time.
What do you want it to make people feel?
I bare all in my songs and I hope the honesty and vulnerability is reassuring for other woman. We are not alone ladies! We all go through craziness, but we can always come out stronger and sassier on the other side. I can’t lie, most of my songs have been about past relationships but since being in quarantine I wrote a super cool song about kicking negative thoughts to the kerb, so super excited for people to hear that!
What about your style, is it influenced by your music?
If I’m being completely real, my style depends on how I feel when I wake up. I’d say I like to be ‘sexy tomboy chic’ if that makes sense, and during isolation well... trackies, hoodies, and cosy knits have been my best friend!
How are you finding isolation?
I’m actually loving it! At first I was stressed but then I figured I had so much time to do positive things towards my career and creativity. I’ve been writing, painting, reading, practising guitar and promoting my latest single ‘Can’t Keep His Jeans On’. In my line of work there is always something to be getting on with, so there’s no such word as bored! I’m also lucky I actually live with five people, so at least I’ve had plenty of good company.
How are you coping without IRL audiences?
It took a while to get used to doing the live streaming - it’s hella nerve racking! Not to mention it stays on there for 24 hours, so people can listen back to your bum notes… but the nice thing is you can actually engage and chat with your fans or people who have enjoyed your online performances. It also means you can watch back, learn and find ways to improve.
Anything else you’d like to share?
It took me so many years to figure out who the hell I was, but now I know and it feels amazing. I’m making music I really love, I’m dressing how I want, I don’t stand for any BS, and I made my goal in life to be happy. I hope through my energy and music I can help others feel the same way, if you wanna check out my music and follow my journey you can find me at @lexieofficial across all platforms.