An Americana influenced alt. country singer-songwriter currently living in Melbourne, last week Riley Catherall released his debut album 'When I Go'.
It's a collection of 11 songs Riley has written the past three years during which he found inspiration to write after being in a "pretty toxic relationship, then the aftermath of that, then the aftermath of the aftermath" as well as a deep dive into the new world."I spent a lot of time looking for somewhere to call my home and I think there's been this constant theme of always uprooting, having things ripped out from underneath you, not really been able to settle down," Riley says, looking at the songs on 'When I Go'.
"I think that's been a theme not only in my songwriting but in life the last few years.
"My job is to make people feel things; I think that's the whole point of writing and storytelling," Riley adds. "I hope that the rise and fall of everything, the quiet parts and the building up to loud parts, does the same and makes you feel something."
Ahead of a massive run of live shows (fingers crossed there are no further COVID disruptions that cause postponements), here Riley shares five words that are better than using 'vibe'.
1: Mood
"I love the VIBE in here." You mean you're thrilled about the general mood? The laid-back atmosphere even? What exactly do you like about it? Tell me more. The lack of qualifying information you've just given me suggests that you're not even in the room. Think harder.2: Groove
"I loved the VIBE of that last song." This one gets me. If for whatever reason you've turned on the radio in your car and there's rhythm in your loins, a yearning to thrust them hips, tap your foot or even whip your hair back and forth, you might be attracted to the groove.If Marvin Gaye is commanding you to get it on and you're totally down, be explicit when you ring up the radio station to give your two cents.
Feel
A close cousin to 'groove', 'feel' can be used to describe something musical that's doing it for you; or not doing it for you – if, perhaps, you've just left the Boiler Room tent mid set when a tempo decrease reminded you of the drive home after your last breakup, struggling to make out street signs through the tears.It can also be used in lieu of mood: perhaps you've just walked into a club and something doesn't feel right. Maybe the music and lights are making you feel uncomfortable, and DJ PressPlay has just cued up 'Afternoon Delight' to an empty dancefloor. Sans the "this isn't a vibe" monologue and just leave.
Energy
All of the above can be applied to anything, not just music. Energy, though, might be your go-to though for all things spiritual. If someone is giving off bad VIBES, maybe their energy isn't right.If you're worried about sounding too preachy, maybe consider expanding a cohesive sentence: "For some reason I just don't trust him"; "I get a bad feeling about that guy"; "He's being a bit of a buzz kill." Particularily for those with 'No Bad Vibes' in their Instagram bio.
Vibrations - for what it is
Finally, let's just say that for whatever reason, you're trying to describe the back-and-forth movements of particles: the way in which oscillations are occurring to create pitch. Or perhaps in a more physical setting: the bus that you're on, rattles at an idle and at such a velocity that you can't safely drink your morning coffee without spilling it all over your lap. "F..., these vibrations are intense."Doesn't sound as poetic? Well, The Beach Boys used it. Why can't you? And back to pitch, Solfeggio recommends you find 741 Hz on your tin whistle: that is, 741 vibrations per second – to assist in 'problem-solving, cleansing the body, and self-expression'. Important for developing your own voice.
Another V-word you might like to look in to is VOCABULARY.
Riley Catherall 2021 Tour Dates
Sun 1 Aug - Americana Festival (Wangaratta)Sat 7 Aug - Curious Rabbit (Wagga Wagga)
Sun 8 Aug - Church St Hotel (Wodonga)
Fri 13 Aug - Finding Fillmores (Kiama)
Sat 14 Aug - House Concert (Bundanoon)
Sun 15 Aug - House Concert (Nowra)
Sun 22 Aug - Geelong Cement Bowls Club
Thu 9 Sep - Little Alberts Room, The Vic (Bathurst)
Fri 10 Sep - The Old Bank (Dubbo)
Fri 17 Sep - The Wheatsheaf (Adelaide)
Sun 19 Sep - The Curtain (Melbourne)
Thu 23 Sep - Petersham Bowling Club (Sydney)
Fri 24 Sep - The Stag and Hunter (Newcastle)
Sun 26 Sep - The Canberra Irish Club
Thu 7 Oct - Oodies Cafe (Bundaberg)
Fri 8 Oct - The Junk Bar (Brisbane)
Sat 9 Oct - Bar Wunder (Toowoomba)
Sun 17 Oct - Tumut River Brewing Co (Tumut)
