Riley Q

Music – Motherhood – Marriage – Mental Health | Listen to the Solidarity Podcast on Apple & Spotify🎙| Twitter & IG: @riley_quin

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Welcome back to the Merge Podcast!

Today’s episode features my favorite Coil couple: Michael & Patty B! They are bloggers, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and a JOY to have around!

Listen in to hear their story, all about where they came from and why they’re such a special part of the XRP & Coil blogging community!

This episode is probably one of my favorites I've ever done. It's not the most technical or “informative” per se, but I promise you will learn so much about the hearts within the Coil community! It's also so cool to see how both Patty and Michael approach blogging from completely different creative backgrounds and passions. I think you'll love this episode as much as I do.

You can follow Patty & Michael on Coil and Twitter!

Patty’s Twitter: @PattyB09952203

Michael’s Twitter: @XRPMichaelB

Patty’s Coil: @PattyB09952203

Michael’s Coil: @MichaelB

Let’s connect on InstagramTwitterCoil and Cinnamon! If you’d like to be featured on the podcast to share about what you're up to as a creator or developer, or you know of someone who would be perfect, reach out on social media or send me an email, riley@rileyq.com.

- RILEY Q

https://www.buzzsprout.com/790439/2853280

or!

Show Notes:

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It's been awhile since I let ya'll in on my songwriting process and I thought it would be fun to talk a little music today!

I don't usually talk about songwriting because it's not something I am proficient at. I'm not sure if anyone could ever really say they're 100% proficient, because it's an ever-changing subject and process, but I think a lot can be determined by how often you write and the ways you push yourself.

Writing has always been a little bit of a thorn in my side.

It's not that I can't write, it's in my blood, but at the same time I have never felt and probably never will feel like I'm good enough.

Really, I think all writers feel this way. Some are more confident than others, but all of the good ones, they never feel done. They never feel like they've written “the song”. It's like a never ending pursuit to do better than the last time, which can sometimes feel impossible.

I started writing at age 11. After I wrote my first song “Step by Step” of which I only remember the chorus and the bridge to the lyrics:

“It's just step by step, that you have to get to me.

It's just step by step, that you will still love.

It's just step by step, to get into my arms.

So baby, come to me.

And baby I just wanna hold you once.

Baby I just wanna scream and run.

Baby I wanna see you by my side,

Baby come to me and you'll be mine.”

And yes, I totally just sang along and I totally was writing that to the guy who was painfully unaware I was obsessed with him in the 6th grade.

Anyways... I thought I was the best thing that had come around since sliced bread and of course I showed all of my friends.

I got a ton of praise, because to 11 year olds, any song is a good song. That really got me going, but my enthusiasm quickly died when I realized I actually sucked. It wasn't until years later that I started showing people what I was writing. But ya know, it was good for me, I learned a lot and got much better as I grew, experienced and studied other writers and songs.

I'm not a traditional writer, I really can't just sit down and write a song, it's really difficult for me.

When I write a song it usually starts in the most inconvenient places. I'll be in the shower or cooking or driving and I'll get the coolest melody and lyric (fun fact: they come at the exact same time for me) and I'll have to quickly find my phone and record it right then so I don't lose it. I usually then finish the first draft of the song right then and there.

I've written songs on menus, napkins, my phone, flyers, even once on a paper plate. I literally drop everything because it hits me like a ton of bricks.

When I'm writing I go into a different place. My mind transforms and suddenly I'm back in the exact situation I was in that is inspiring the song. That's why it's so hard for me to write about things I haven't experienced, because I wasn't there. When I'm in that zone I'm smelling the air, picturing my surroundings, feeling the same feelings and hearing the sounds around me. It allows me to write very descriptively and well, accurately. I love this trait about myself but at the same time, I wish I was better at writing from another persons shoes. That's where great co-writers come in!

Every writer has their thing. I haven't really found mine, but I know that there are three elements that usually go into all of the songs I write.

  1. They're from a sad/depressed point of view. Sad girl pop has become more and more of a thing recently, probably because all of us Gen Z'rs are a little bit more sad than others, or maybe it's because we're not as afraid to talk about it. I'm not sure. But what I do know, is that I've been known to put a depressing spin on all of my songs. Whoops 🤷‍♀️
  2. I might be the glass is half empty kinda girl, but I do have a tendency to try and teach in all of my music. I like to leave my listeners thinking. Whether it's because they relate or they know someone who does, I like to keep my listeners thinking about how what I was saying relates to them. By doing this it not only starts conversations, but it keeps people thinking about and listening to my music.
  3. I am VERY literal in my storytelling. I really didn't realize this about myself until I started co-writing. I was in a write once and my co-writer suggested I changed a lyric and I looked up at him blankly and said “but it didn't happen that way”. He laughed. I know, I know, songs don't have to be the way things happened, but I honestly prefer them that way. I can sing them with more emotion, advertise them much better and I often find that they're much more captivating.

I've gone through my seasons.

I went through one in 2018 where I didn't write for 9 months, I just couldn't. Sometimes I get really bad writers block and then all of the sudden I'll write like 3 songs a day for two weeks straight. It's strange and frustrating, but it's just part of the process.

I'm always looking for new ideas, new concepts and new angles to write about. But yet, I always end up going at it from the same direction; my direction.

It's crazy really how many songs we are continually able to write and put out into the world. Every word, beat and concept is crafted with love and heart from someone, at least every good song.

I really encourage you that next time you're listening to music, really think. Think about the story behind the song, the writer's who poured their hearts into it and what their intentions were behind the song. Don't be afraid to follow those people on social media and look into them, their stories and lives are just as important as the person who's singing them.

Let me know if ya'll want to hear more about songwriting or see behind the scenes, I might just film it sometime!

xoxo – Ry

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My heart is kinda sad this morning. I received some slightly disturbing news that yet again, people are being manipulative and using each other on this platform. I'm going to be completely honest, I'm not 100% surprised.

Whenever there's money, approval or validation involved, things always start to get messy.

People start double crossing, giving bad advice, and being manipulative to try and gain more.

I'm not here to tell ya'll to quit, because I know that won't help. Manipulative people will always be manipulative.

Narcissists will always be narcissists.

So instead, I hope to lead by example and try and build a few of you up, because I see your greatness and by acknowledging that, I'm taking nothing away from myself or my content or my engagement.

First I'd like to highlight a few creators who's content I really enjoyed this week..

Patty BMy Coil Journey

This article made me smile and I think it's a great encouragement to anyone who's starting out on Coil or has been around for awhile and is getting discouraged.

Dani TorresIntroducing Restorative Ingredients

Dani has provided amazing value in this series and this installment is no different. As someone who is struggling with this right now and trying to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, articles like these empower and educate me. Thank you Dani!

Adam WaringThe End of Privacy Is Not Inevitable

Adam always provides tremendous value in his articles and videos on Cinnamon. He's well versed in several topics and I found this article extremely interesting. Thank you for bringing this to our attention:

“There is a bill to ban federal use of facial recognition technology until Congress has established rules for it. This is the link if you want to check it out:

A moratorium on the government use of facial

recognition technology

I really do feel like governments around the world forget that they exist purely to facilitate the will of the people. I work in technology, I get really excited about so many incredible advances in technology.... but I'm also super aware that not everything that has been built is good for us.”

Andrew Reviewing Coil Articles pt. 3

https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=259321791887967311

If you're not following Andrew on Coil & Cinnamon, you're missing out. He's trying to pave the way with comedy on Cinnamon and it shows. His Coil reviews are hilarious.

SHEEBillie Eilish Cover

https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=252918983877985300

'nuff said. It's gorgeous.

BrentCartoonish pt.2

https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=241666376870135007

I know this came out in January but I just finally got a chance to watch it a few days ago. So freaking funny. 😂 He's extremely talented and I have it on good authority that the next episode is going to be great!

That's all for this week, but..

Build each other up, we can go so much farther together- as equals, hand in hand. Nobody is better than anyone else. Nobody needs to be in control. A community works together and feeds off of each other and as long as we're all honest with each other, we can thrive and turn Coil into something beautiful.

So with that, here are some words of encouragement...

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“I'm done. I can't do it, it's never going to work. Nobody wants to know what I have to say and that's all there is to it.”

Those words came out of my mouth in October of 2018. Dustin and I were dating at the time and he had asked me if I was going to ever try to do music again.

I had given up. I had completely and 100% given up.

When I moved to Michigan in July of 2018, I was leaving my entire community and network behind. Years leading up to that move I was constantly jumping from one place to another that I could move to. I wanted out so badly. At one point I was going to school in Durango, Colorado, at another point I was moving to North Carolina, another time I was moving to New York City and another time Chicago- my pastor even announced it on stage. 🤦‍♀️ It never ended, I was constantly looking for an opportunity, a way out.

So when I “announced”, yet again, that I was moving out of Michigan, nobody believed me. Honestly, people thought I was just down here visiting and would come back. Other people told me I wasn't going to be able to do it, I wasn't good enough and I'd come crawling back.

Needless to say, I didn't leave with a bunch of confidence. But I still went on, I left and here I am.

When I first moved to Nashville I had humility in the fact that I knew I didn't know what the heck I was doing when it came to music, but I still had a pretty big ego. It wasn't a good combo. Although I knew and understood the realities of the industry, I was so overwhelmed that I just started losing hope before I really even started trying.

Before I knew it I had met Dustin and I feel head over heels in love with him. I knew we'd be married and I knew that meant moving out of Nashville and into the country. Within a few months I had completely given up. I mean honestly, I couldn't get over the “hows”.

How would I make money? I didn't want to play shows and then only shows you could book were country and I wasn't that.

How would I be noticed? I couldn't go to mixers, I was only 19.

How would I be recognized as an artist if I wasn't living IN Nashville?

How would I have enough money to put out music online? Or promote it?

How was I ever going to meet a good producer I could trust?

Was I even good enough?

Did anyone even like me?

I let those thoughts overwhelm and take over my brain and eventually I just stopped.

I went 9 months without touching my piano or my guitar.

I went 9 months without writing a song.

I went 9 months without watching my favorite singing shows, it hurt too bad.

I went 9 months believing that I would never be good enough and so why even try?

And then, Coil.

Coil entered in and suddenly there was a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly there was a possibility that I could be someone.

Suddenly I had the opportunity to make money and show up as is, without having to play shows, lug equipment and sell crappy merch.

Suddenly the entire world was literally at my fingertips.

I was scared, like really scared. But I was also at the point where I knew it was now or never. Either I tried or I'd live my entire life kicking myself for not trying.

And now here we are. I've released 5 songs in a little over 6 months. I've grown exponentially as a songwriter and an artist.

I've established a loving fan base and ya'll seriously are the best.

You keep me going and you never stop rooting for me.

There was a point in my life where I thought my voice didn't matter.

But ya'll showed up and you proved me wrong and now I'm determined to make sure that every single person that I come in contact with knows that their voice matters and deserves to be heard.

But of course, I'm going to do that from the comfort of my couch as long as I can. 😉

I hope ya'll enjoy my new song, I'm really happy that it's finally out!

You can or watch my official lyric video on YouTube, Vimeo & Cinnamon!

xoxo – Ry

https://open.spotify.com/album/1CMDyPFaTIHHOJZefX62kX?si=rFu_7Cc3TdOsNLCSGaqWcQ

It's release day and I am PUMPED! I haven't released new music since November and I have been itching to give ya'll this song.

I am truly an introvert at heart and have become one even more since moving to a rural area and working from home. You can usually find me in bed or on the couch working- I know, bad habit- but it's just where I feel safe and can get in the zone!

Anyways, I've coined this the “Introvert Anthem” because I mean, let's be real, isn't Netflix really every Introvert's best friend? 😉

I hope you stream it, love it, save it, add it to your playlists, follow me on whatever platform you listen on & share the heck out of it!

xoxo – Ry 😘

Listen on all platforms!

https://open.spotify.com/album/1CMDyPFaTIHHOJZefX62kX?si=vQtCKVrzQSm74rrUH0eoOA

https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=259262134716729316

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