Ria Marie

Hailing from Bristol, Tenn., the birthplace to one of the most successful music genres in the world, Ria Marie, née Alex Gibson, has an undeniable passion for creating music that runs as deep as her home town’s country roots.

To say that singing is in her blood would simply be an understatement; she is a distant relative of the trailblazing Carter Family and the daughter of a singing prodigy who at one point had been associated with musical legends such as the late Whitney Houston and Bob Marley, to name a few.

Growing up, Ria spent her formative years listening to modern icons of soul and pop music like Houston, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson, all of whom have undoubtedly influenced her buttery smooth vocal runs and razor-sharp precision as a singer. She is also no stranger to the stage, having shared roles with Broadway performers and even making callback upon callback leading up to a filming portion of America’s Got Talent at just 14 years old.

However, it was as recent as 2017 when Ria Marie, the artist, first began to take center stage.

After a studio session with renowned jazz pianist and composer Jeff Franzel (Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Lady Gaga, The Temptations), who admired her rendition of Etta James’ “At Last,” Ria was ready to begin singing her own truth.

“I just knew I had something more to say,” the 23-year-old shared, regarding a period of time in which she had exclusively recorded covers of popular songs. “I have always loved singing other people’s songs but there’s nothing like putting your own heart down on paper and sharing its message with people.”

A smoky, gritty blend of modern R&B, Ria’s soundscape involves hard-hitting beats anchored by infectious melodies that leave you wanting more.

Her kaleidoscopic mix of melodic pop sensibilities and refreshingly bold, reflective lyrics make for songs that are immediately accessible to today’s listeners. She effortlessly exudes the Millennial persona: independent and carefree - but not afraid to let you know when she does care and when it’s going to go her way.

Whether it’s showcased through the playful lens of love at first sight as on the sultry “Honey,” or on “Dancing Through the Fog,” a future self-empowerment anthem, Ria unapologetically wears her songwriting heart on her sleeve, baring it all for the world to see.

The strikingly introspective lyrics of “…Fog” depict a maturity wise beyond her years as she details the honest inner struggle of falling prey to one’s own ego and dismissing it by focusing on spirituality over rich vocals: “Reflecting light is not easy in the dark / But it won’t last if my inner sun guides me.”

These two tracks make up a fresh batch of songs that find Ria honing her craft as she prepares for her live shows. Following the release of her debut single “Honey,” which is accompanied by an elegant visual (watch here), she is ready to bring her life’s story to the stage in 2019.

“I can’t wait to feel that instant connection with a live audience,” she gushed. “That instant gratification of relatability and knowing you’re not the only one who has gone through an experience is one of the main reasons I love performing. If one audience member can walk away from my show with even one lyric or note that has struck a chord with them, then I’ve done my job as an artist.”

I think it’s safe to say we’re all listening.