Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Riva Taylor
While the saying “a star is born” is surely not a new one, singer and songwriter Riva Taylor is the embodiment of just that…literally. Singing and performing since the age of of child, she has not only left a mark on the UK scene but conquered the global landscape. Performing in some of the world’s most prestigous establishments, Riva Taylor has graced television and theatre, a representation of her overall powerhouse package as a well-rounded artist.
Born Rebecca Jane Grosvenor Taylor in London, the starlet began her career at 7 years old performing at the Palace Theatre in the West End. Around the age of 12 she became the youngest artist to sign a record contract at EMI. Releasing music under Becky Taylor in 2001 with her debut A Dream Come True, she dropped sounds in 2005 as Becky Jane Taylor when she unveiled her gorgeous LP By Your Side, which showcased her ability to bridge elements of pop and classical in one seamless sweep. Taylor broke in the international market, performing on American talk shows as well as enjoying success in Asia, mind you, all while still a teenager. For most artists, this career start would be a dream come true with no looking back, yet she decided to take a bit of time off to attend the University of Durham, graduating with a degree in History.
Returning to the music industry in 2014 under Riva Taylor, it was evident that she was yet again ready to take make a big splash with her track ‘The Creed’ which was the theme of the Assassin’s Creed empire. She then unleashed a slew of singles in 2018 and 19 with cuts like ‘My Mouth’, ‘Mr Right’, ‘Running at Walls’ and more. This would all be the lead-up to her 2020 full length This Woman’s Heart .1 The blissful pop record was a reminder of her top tier vocal ability and skillset as an incredible songwriter. Riva Taylor then rounded out that year with her soul reaching single ‘Celebrate’.
Riva Taylor is back with her latest single ‘Magic’, an upbeat blend of pop and soul that is in one sense brilliantly nostalgic and refreshingly modern in another. It is also proof that musically she can do anything and do it effortlessly.
Having started your career literally from the age of 7, what was that experience like entering the business at such a young age?
Riva Taylor – I felt like life performing at the age of 7 was just life! I guess that’s the beauty of being young – you do things instinctively, you are so totally yourself in that moment you don’t over question – you just do them because they feel right, without a label or a comparison to measure against. I got my first deal at 12 and I have so many amazing memories of performing and recording in fun places. What a gift. And what schooling! The industry is never without its twists and turns which makes you grow up fast but I had parents on hand keeping me grounded, and an understanding label.
In regards to the ins and outs of music, what are a few valuable lessons that you’ve taken with you from your journey as a child star to your adult years as a singer and performer?
Riva Taylor – Ah so many! Always trust your gut instinct being one! When it comes to the people you work with, surround yourself with people you trust and who you can be honest with about your vision and who can help you realise that. You know yourself best and showing the audience that persona is giving them what they really want (not someone else’s version of you!)
When you decided to return to music as Riva Taylor, did that feel like a sense of rediscovery and a rebirth of self in a way?
Riva Taylor – 100%. It was needed. I was no longer identifying with my former childhood self from an artistic perspective. In fact, I’m not sure I ever really did fully when I was signed, I felt like I was wearing the ‘wrong dress’ a lot of the time! Life had moved on and I knew I needed to remove myself from that chapter. The name change was a defiant move for me that I haven’t once regretted.
You released your album This Woman’s Heart .1 back in 2020. Aside from being a fantastic record, it also felt like it allowed you to fully stretch your wings as an artist. You executed various vocal textures and the whole nine from the very start with ’Jealous’. What was the recording process like with This Woman’s Heart .1?
Riva Taylor – Well….thank you! It was an interesting process as it had been a labour of love for a little while! It was written between LA, Stockholm and Berlin and produced in London. We actually ended up using lots of the production and some of the same vocals originally recorded when we wrote it on songs like ‘Jealous’ and ‘Chaos Killed The Thrill’. We wanted to achieve a blend of organic and synthetic sounds.
Your song ‘If I Could Ever Stop Loving You’ dropped a little later after the initial release of This Woman’s Heart .1. It is such an epic single. However, it wasn’t on the LP. Was that track recorded after the album was already wrapped up?
Riva Taylor – The release of ‘If I Could Ever Stop Loving You’ was the beginning of the unveiling of my next album …I’ll let you guess what it’s called (what follows .1?) I released ‘Celebrate’ in November, and ‘Magic’ in March. They are all part of the second part of the album which is out next month! The reason the song wasn’t released on the first part is because it fitted with the concept of the second half…which is all about personal resolve and positive futures. The first half is the darker half of the heart.
‘Magic’ is your latest single which you have described as a kind of embracing of the process of falling out of love. What inspired you to write this song considering that most people would typically have the opposite feeing about the ending of a love?
Riva Taylor – Trust me…I hadn’t felt like that all the time. This song is about that moment of euphoria after the healing process has come an end. It was written on day I woke up for the first time with myself, meaning I was only thinking of what the day ahead held for me and not about my ex, and what they were doing and who they were with. I wanted to capture that feeling!
I read that you wrote ‘Magic’ in Nashville. Did being in a city with such a monumental history of music inspire your songwriting or overall approach to music?
Riva Taylor – Yes! Its a city I absolutely love. Music is on every street corner and the people who live there are the best. I love to travel when I write and this was definitely a place of inspiration. It’s no coincidence that ‘Magic’ is guitar lead!
Finally, what is one thing that you are looking forward to once we finally get back to normality post lockdown?
Riva Taylor – Good question. As I can’t get my priorities straight I’m going with two!
Starting the day with a group gym class, I’ve missed my morning routine in the company of people! Ending the day with a big margarita in a buzzy bar listening to live music!
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