Rees Finley

L.A. singer/songwriter Rees Finley to bring musical variety to Vallejo venue

July 25, 2017 by Nick Sestanovich

What can audiences expect when Rees Finley comes to The Hub in Vallejo for a concert Friday? According to the Los Angeles-based singer songwriter, just about anything. Finley has dabbled in every genre from ‘80s synthpop to Motown-inspired retro funk to intricate folk to witty modern alternative rock in the vein of Death Cab for Cutie and Ben Folds.
Finley— who grew up in Columbus, Ohio— says he owes a lot of his love of music to his parents.
“My parents are big music lovers, so I grew up around a lot of it,” he said in an interview with the Herald. “My dad would always be playing The Beatles or Harry Nilsson. He also loved to sing and taught me pretty early on how to harmonize with him since he had been in choirs and done barbershop. We would sing together and he would show me all sorts of music which I consumed rapidly.”
Finley’s mother was also a huge fan of artists like Elvis Costello and Prince, who were both played around the house a lot when he was a kid, although Finley himself did not get into those artists until he was older.
“I used to not think my mom had a good taste in music but now I would say that Prince is one of my biggest idols so I definitely get it now,” he said.
At the age of 7, Finley begged his parents for piano lessons and began writing his own songs at the age of 9. Since then, he has been playing and writing music with great frequency.
Finley enjoys writing music as an outlet for his own emotions, and he always looks to how other artists have poured their souls into their music.
Listening to music is a very spiritual experience for me,” he said. “When I hear music that comes from the soul, it doesn’t matter if it’s Brahms or Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell or Freddie King. The real heartfelt stuff is true intimacy and that feeling is addicting for me both as a giver and a receiver.”
Finley performs music in a wide variety of genres, although he finds formats less important in crafting great music than strong hooks and melodies and thoughtful lyrics.
“I think anything I hear influences me in one way or another,” he said.
Finley currently teaches music but aspires to focus on making music as a full-time job. He says the teaching position is rewarding in its own way but I’d love to not have to rely on that.”
“I think there have been a lot of times where a song or a performance felt like they reached out directly to me and changed me as a person,” he said. “I’d like to be able to pass that on to as many people as possible.”
Five of Finley’s songs are available on Soundcloud, and his song “Animated” has a music video featuring stop motion Lego figurines animated by Zach Siegel. In a few weeks, those five songs will also be made available on Apple Music and Spotify.
After more than a year of performing shows in Ohio and Southern California, Finley will finally bring his talents to the Bay Area this week for the first time. On Thursday, he will be performing at the Caravan Lounge in San Jose, and on Friday he will be coming to The Hub with a trio who Finley says will expand on some of the arrangements.
“I’ll be switching between keyboard and guitar,” he said. Some stuff will be really dance-y and funky, there will be some punk rock, a taste of jazz and blues and there will be some folky ballads. I try to do a little bit of everything and keep people on their toes.”
“It’s my first time playing in the area which I’m pretty excited about,” he added.
Finley will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 28 at The Hub, located at 350 Georgia St. There will be a $15 cover charge. For more information on the show, call the venue at 561-6514. For more information on Finley’s music, go to reesfinley.com. - Benicia Herald

Rees Finley is a singer/songwritter from Columbus, Ohio, currently residing in Los Angeles. His style is as authentic as it gets. When I first heard his new single, Addictive Personalities, I felt like I was in the room with the guy. His lyrics are real and relatable (for me at least), and there is an effortless flow that keeps a consistent lighthearted, yet slightly melancholic vibe from start to finish. EarToTheGround Music describes his style perfectly, “Combine the phrasing and style of Ben Folds and the syntax of Green Day.” His style brings me nostalgia, since I grew up in the alt rock/punk era of the 90s, where songs were true evocations of the artists emotions and the chorus was always super addictive.

I’ve talked about that nostalgia element as huge factor in creating an earworm (addictive music). This one is an earworm for me, because after I stopped listening, I kept hearing it in my head while I was at another concert.

Rees Finley has an eclectic range of productions and live shows. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano and guitar while jumping back and forth from seductive solo sets to rambunctious punk rock with his band. Rees will be releasing his solo EP in this Summer. - rBeatz

“Addictive Personalities” by Rees Finley

Talented Columbus, Ohio native Rees Finley arrives with his latest addictive, mesmerizing and hypnotizing single, listen to “Addictive Personalities” and fall in love with it as I have. There’s something so honest and real about the story that takes shape and form within the music, you know you’ve seen it, heard it or even lived it. Rees touches on a subject that allows feelings, emotions, addiction and a crush gone wrong to be seen in a clear light. Through lyrics that borrow from a personal experience, he opens up to us and we can’t help but understand and visualize the situation for addiction sadly revolves around us. Through a friend, family, a past lover or some stranger on the street … it’s always out there, simply waiting to jump on someone and create a bad situation. He invites us in and we are thankful for he though us worthy to hear it and see how something like that has created a music gem worthy to be heard over and over again. Enjoy the melody and take a look around you and see if anyone needs your helping hand.

I think addiction manifests in different ways for different people. I often felt the same urges compelling me to drink or get high would also tell me to eat an entire pizza or text a girl that I knew would only get me into trouble. I wrote this song after burning myself and part of my couch when I passed out with a joint in my hand. It was a particularly bad night that involved me texting somebody that I shouldn’t have then driving home drunk, ordering a whole pizza and eating it alone, and falling asleep while getting high. Ultimately I got pretty lucky and I think the whole thing kind of funny in a sad, pathetic sort of way. - Wolf In A Suit

Rees Finley is a frenetic pop artist originally from Columbus, Ohio now living in Los Angeles, California. “Talk to Me” is his third solo single release following several years performing as the lead singer and songwriter of the band “dale.” It is Finley’s first single to be produced by Cary Singer, guitarist for artist such as Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, and Tobias Jesso Jr..

Of the song, Finley says, “I wrote most of the song without instruments which is somewhat unusual for me. I just had this beat in my head while I was driving and I started singing a melody with lyrics that referenced my relationship with my younger brother. We’ve both had issues with drugs and depression and he can be self-insulating in dealing with his struggles which scares the s–t out of me as his older brother. He’s had a really tough year and had to leave school because of some medical issues and it was really important for me to write this for him. I ended up finishing the song with my friend Philip the day after I had the initial idea and we were developing the chorus but it wasn’t working the way I wanted to until I had the idea of sampling Dictionary.com saying the word ‘talk’ and putting it through a bunch of processing. That kind of ended up making the track and I’m pretty sure it’s the only track that survived through the entire recording process so shout-outs to Dictionary.com” - SOM Magazine

Rees Finley – “Dear Abby” - Combine the phrasing and style of Ben Folds and combine it with the syntax of Green Day. Do you hear it? Yeah, you do. Because this is an interesting, clever songwriting style that is just about as “timeless” as alt rock can get. The intricate songwriting elements even sometimes feel like Queen. Enough with the name dropping, this is just a really unique song. The lyrics are cryptic and entertaining. The whole song is a wonder. - Ear to the Ground

For those of us feeling stuck in a rut, Rees Finley has been there, and has crafted an ode to the downtrodden in his latest track “The Band Broke Up.” Through a chronicle of relatable personal anecdotes, Finley serenades us into catharsis. The song features an endearing whistle track to keep it light, along with various classic pop elements that make this song infectious. This one-man band is proof of the light at the end of the tunnel that is one of life’s many low points, and he lays it all out on the table for everyone to see. This is easy listening at its finest – so plug in and remember, it only gets better from here. - Buffablog

There are times when one must break from another due to love running its course, or the slow, yet sudden realization that you don’t love them anymore. Or never did to begin with. Maybe it was a long rebound. Maybe there was a multitude of distractions. But they swallowed you, carried you, and saved you. On I Don’t Want To Walk Away, Columbus-raised, LA-based Rees Finley touches on this experience and the moment you let them walk out the front door.

I’ve got half a mind to run to your door

But I’m not sure, I’m not sure

I’m not sure how to love you like before

I’m not sure how to love you anymore

Where Finley’s previous EP was of the indie-rock/pop sort, he returns to his garage rock roots and is reunited with former dale bandmate Jake Noveck. A simple guitar strum and tempered percussion sit back as Finley laments about his conflicted feelings.

“I’ll keep on moving it’s for the best/ It’s not fair to give you just one night,” he sings before propelling into a catchy hook that soars between skyscrapers and the great yawn of regret that you can still taste on your tongue. Finley further explained the single:

“I felt like I needed to write this song because I couldn’t find another song that expressed the emotions I was going through at that time. I wrote it about the conflict of leaving someone who I loved in anticipation of our incompatibility. I couldn’t help second guessing my actions and I knew that if I went back to her she would accept me and forgive me but I knew that wasn’t fair to her. So, I guess it’s about this shitty kind of breakup that happens when you’re able to look at a relationship maturely and recognize that even if you do love someone, you might just be wasting their time and that if you really care about them you should let them go. I felt a lot conflicting emotions but ultimately had to realize that I can’t go back to the place where things were before and I’ll always second guess my choices because that’s just what you do when you lose someone that you love.”

Rees Finley will be releasing another collection of songs before the end of the year and plans on going on his first extended tour in the Spring of 2018. - ohestee

For the past year or so, solo-act Rees Finley has been a staple on buffaBLOG. Last time we checked in with him, we were digging the feel-good, frenetic pop of “Talk To Me.” This time, we’re highlighting the fuzzy pop of his latest single, “I Don’t Want To Walk Away.” Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Weezer, Pavement, and American Football, there’s plenty for fans of the 90s, fuzz rock, and emo sentiment to get behind.

Rees has his own website… Check it out. - BuffaBLOG

There's a tinge of college rock about Rees Finley's 'I Don't Want To Walk Away', especially in the chorus but Finley gives this his own modern spin. I'm an absolute sucker for 'epic melancholy', which is exactly how this song feels to me. - Wee Claire

Rees Finley is a frenetic pop artist who’s returns to his roots on his newest single, “I Don’t Want To Walk Away.” Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Finley now lives in Los Angeles, California.

The new single reverts to the his early garage rock aesthetic, and was actually recorded in collaboration with his former bandmate, Jake Noveck on guitar.

“It was gratifying to return to the simple kind of guitar, bass, and drum format,” said Finley. “Jake and I had already worked together closely in the band ‘dale’ and so it was pretty easy for us to communicate on the kind of sounds that I was looking for. I felt like I needed to write this song because I couldn’t find another song that expressed the emotions I was going through at that time. I wrote it about the conflict of leaving someone who I loved in anticipation of our incompatibility . I couldn’t help second guessing my actions and I knew that if I went back to her she would accept me and forgive me but I knew that wasn’t fair to her. So, I guess it’s about this shitty kind of breakup that happens when you’re able to look at a relationship maturely and recognize that even if you do love someone, you might just be wasting there time and that if you really care about them you should let them go. I felt a lot conflicting emotions but ultimately had to realize that I can’t go back to the place where things were before and I’ll always second guess my choices because that’s just what you do when you lose someone that you love.”

Finley plans on going on his first extended tour in the Spring of 2018. - Salute Mag

Everyone deserves love and happiness right? Well, Rees Finley believes he does and wants the world to know just that.

His latest single, “Deserve” is an up-tempo, vibrant record that has a bit of an 80s flair to it. With a rather cheerful beginning, listeners may notice their day randomly start to brighten up. The combination of Finley’s vocals and the background instruments will inspire a feeling of optimism and motivation. Although the song gives off a happy vibe, Finley’s lyrics suggest that he is essentially unhappy with the little attention he receives from others.

“If there’s anybody out there, anybody listening, anybody who cares, would you give me something to believe? That’s all I really need,” he expresses.

The Columbus-raised singer also shows off his vocal range in the track; switching up his tone throughout the record. Did I mention that the song is entirely self-produced? Every element of the tune is composed by the singer; from the instruments featured to the supporting vocals. Finley explains the idea behind “Deserve”.

“Lyrically, I explore questions of self-worth and whether or not anyone truly deserves anything. Of course, this question ultimately leads to the spiritual realm and my personal relationship with the higher power.”

There are many sentiments and themes that listeners can relate to in this record. It is safe to say that this track “deserves” some attention. Finally, hear the song below. - Grungecake

“Reckless” is Rees Finley’s second single. The first time I listened I thought it was incredible that Rees was able to take a look at tendencies to self destruct but keeping the tune happy and sweet. Like a comedian at a comedy show taking the mickey out of him/herself. Worth a listen!

Rees Finley is a frenetic bedroom pop artist originally from Columbus, Ohio now living in Los Angeles, California. “Reckless” is his second single since the release of “Songs 1-5” in late 2017. Like many of Rees’ previous releases, “Reckless” is entirely self-produced and performed by the artist. Finley continues to explore lyrical themes of neurosis and self-destructive tendencies while keeping the music light and jubilant. Of the contrast, Rees says, “Overly serious introspection has always been kind of disgusting to me. There’s something disturbing about artists who aren’t able to laugh at their misfortune. I don’t necessarily intend for my music to be funny per se, but I’ve always been fascinated by comedians and humorists who use their wit to balance the often depressing subject matter that they discuss.” Rees has performed up and down the California coast and will be playing a string of shows in the Midwest in late July. He will release several more singles and music videos in the coming months. - Music Injection

REES FINLEY - 'RECKLESS' - US frontman blends 90s pop-punk with modern pop on this bouncing new release. - Mystic Sons

Rees Finley – “Reckless” - The real talk style of this track reminds me a bit of Ben Rector. Finley’s songwriting is witty and to the point. The funky blend of pop sensibilities and layered electronics works really well. It’s not the typical folk music fare we typically feature here, but it’s forging a unique genre identity that we are happy to support. - Ear to the Ground

INDIE POP ARTIST, REES FINLEY, RELEASED A FANTASTIC NEW TRACK...

"Rees Finley is a frenetic bedroom pop artist originally from Columbus, Ohio now living in Los Angeles, California. He released his debut EP, 'Songs 1-5', on August 10th, 2017, following several recent singles and music videos. Rees’ music is always melodic, frequently neurotic, and simultaneously sarcastic and sentimental. On record, Finley ranges from 80’s style synthpop, to retro-motown funk to overdriven alt-rock, often within the span of 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Live, Rees draws upon his multi-instrumentalism, jumping from piano to guitar; performing intimate solo sets and raucous punk rock with a trio."

Today, we get to help showcase one of Rees's latest releases entitled 'Reckless' - a fun synth pop jam with a hell of vocal melody and a catchy chorus to keep you coming back for more. Like many of Rees' previous releases, 'Reckless' is entirely self-produced and performed by the artist. Finley continues to explore lyrical themes of neurosis and self-destructive tendencies while keeping the music light and jubilant. Of the contrast, Rees says, "Overly serious introspection has always been kind of disgusting to me. There's something disturbing about artists who aren't able to laugh at their misfortune. I don't necessarily intend for my music to be funny per se, but I've always been fascinated by comedians and humorists who use their wit to balance the often depressing subject matter that they discuss." Rees has performed up and down the California coast and will be playing a string of shows in the Midwest in late July. He will release several more singles and music videos in the coming months.

Lastly, if you're diggin' what Rees Finley is up to - make sure you throw him a follow on his social media links and stay up to date with his work as it drops. You wont want to miss out on anything else he has in store for the next few months. You'll find everything you need and the stream to 'Reckless' down below! Enjoy! - Sensei