Riley Smith
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
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Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Riley Smith is a 29 year-old pop/rock/alternative songwriter from Victoria, BC. He began writing songs at the age of fifteen after playing guitar for just six months. As a seventeen year old, Smith experienced the joy of playing guitar on stage with Green Day, his all-time favourite band. But he didn't manage to do this just once- he did it three times (2002, 2004, and 2005). He was lucky enough to be given two guitars as a "thank you" from Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong. These were phenomenal, inspirational experiences for Smith, and really threw him into a songwriting frenzy for the next several years.
In 2007, Smith tracked his first professional recording with a high quality single, "A Song For Dave," produced in Vancouver, BC. It was recorded as a tribute to his stepfather who passed away earlier that year. "It was a tremendous experience," said Smith, "And I learned a lot about recording, and how powerful it can be."
In 2008, Smith recorded a follow-up single with Victoria producer Adam Sutherland at Infinity Studios. There, they recorded a song called "Ronnie," a tribute song to his uncle who was tragically killed as a 24 year-old in 1964. "Ronnie" features Riley's father, Norm Smith on guitar, accordion, and vocals. It turned out so well that Smith decided Infinity Studios was where he would record his first full-length album, "Lockley Road," which he had been working on for years.
Tracking for Lockley Road began in 2009 with Victoria-based producer Jason Cook. They recorded 8 songs by April, 2010. At this point, Smith took some time away from his album to work on a side project - a southern rock group with his pal Darren Woods. Smith toured Western Canada in the summer of 2010 as a rhythm guitarist for The Wiley Fawks Band.
In May, 2011, Smith decided it was time to finish "Lockley Road." He returned to Infinity Studios in Victoria, BC, and recorded four more songs with producer Adam Sutherland. "Lockley Road" was finally released in April, 2012. Since then, Smith has been gigging locally with his 3-piece band, Riley Smith & the Telesmashers, which includes his long-time best friend Arlen Finnerty hammering out the beats on the drums, and 21 year-old bass prodigy Kevin Gontovnik. As a trio, they are turning heads and ringing ears in the Victoria music scene. Although they only play a few songs from Lockley Road, Smith is demonstrating he is still moving forward as a songwriter. Smith is currently recording his second studio album.
*His song "Wide Awake" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2013 Vancouver Island Music Awards.
*His song "Chicago" was nominated for Pop/Rock Song of the Year at the 2014 Vancouver Island Music Awards.
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