A Chat with RIOT SON (12.06.26)
Ascending as one of the most intriguing new acts from the alternative underground, RIOT SON binds post-punk intensity with dream-pop intimacy in his signature “Appalachian Gloom” sound. We speak with the US-based musician about his debut EP, My Love Is A Promise That I Can’t Keep, what music means to him, and much more.
OSR: Rather cliché, but what drew you to music? How did RIOT SON come about?
RIOT SON: RIOT SON was born from the ashes of absolute reinvention. It emerged from a potent combination of various ingredients that have formulated what RIOT SON has slowly become. For as long as I can remember, music has been a solace to me. I quickly learned that I wield the power to transform my feelings into meaning and story. I started playing music in band class as a kid and took piano lessons at church. I got my first electric guitar in grade school, followed soon after by an acoustic guitar that became my personal muse while I isolated in the mountains and started writing songs. What began as a hobby became a daily ritual for escapism and connection – one that has completely consumed me lately. With this recent epiphany, I have been materialising the idea of music as a career, carving my path to yield it to the world.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
RIOT SON: Music is a way of connecting and feeling what seems impossible at times. As an emerging singer-songwriter, I feel it’s my responsibility to share my music with the world. To me, music is a universal voice for the collective consciousness that resonates to bring people together.
OSR: You recently released your EP, My Love Is A Promise That I Can’t Keep. What can you tell us about it? Is there a particular theme or backstory?
RIOT SON: The process of writing My Love Is A Promise That I Can’t Keep has been a path of healing and transformation. Like most classic rock ‘n’ roll stories, it was inspired by heartbreak and loss. This EP is a chapter-by-chapter story from beginning to end, written like a personal diary to create an intimate bond with the listener. Its underlying theme is that when you take a risk on love, you better gear up for heartbreak because it’s inevitable. Sitting with that heartbreak can be a heavy, weighing process that makes us sink like an anchor at times. The process of writing this EP gave me the strength to transmute that pain and vulnerability into something positive and relatable. I believe that was the real magic behind this cathartic release.
OSR: What do you hope people take from My Love Is A Promise That I Can’t Keep, and your music in general?
RIOT SON: If there’s anything this EP conveys, it’s that it’s okay to not be okay. Facing yourself head-on takes real strength – a strength we often bury because society teaches us to, which only continues a toxic cycle of poor mental health. I think our real power lies in learning not only how high we can bounce back from a fall, but how our mistakes and scars give us unique characteristics we can learn to live with. I like to think of myself as a conductor for individuals from all tribes and paths of life to connect with. My message through this EP is that it’s okay to feel the way you do, but don’t let it consume you. There is hope, and there are brighter days ahead no matter the storms we weather.
OSR: What does this EP mean to you?
RIOT SON: This debut EP is incredibly special to me because My Love Is A Promise That I Can’t Keep transmutes the quiet pain and suffering we all feel but struggle to express. I learned that getting uncomfortable with yourself, taking the darker things, and transmuting them into self-awareness and acceptance was the key message of this project. It unfolds like a diary-style playlist for the listener.
OSR: Do you feel My Love Is A Promise That I Can’t Keep is a true representation of you as an artist at the moment?
RIOT SON: It was a true representation of that specific moment in time, which was necessary for the growth that moved me to where I am now. I am currently working on a new project with a well-respected producer in the London music scene, which is a very exciting pivot. I am also making a visually bold and striking transformation. It’s a theatrical, over-the-top debut that channels mystery, rebellion, and grit, all wrapped up into a feel that is very ahead of its time.
OSR: If you could change anything about the EP, from writing to production, what would you change?
RIOT SON: I wish I had released it sooner, but sitting with it created a built-up sense of anguish that can be felt throughout the record – specifically on the final song, ‘Slowly Without You’, which anchored the EP as a complete story.
OSR: If you were to introduce your music to a new listener, which single from your discography would you recommend?
RIOT SON: Honestly, ‘Falling Down’, because I feel it wraps up a little bit of everything RIOT SON has been so far. It has evolved into a definitive fan favorite across playlists.
OSR: Describe your music in a single sentence.
RIOT SON: Music that is meant to be a map for those who are misguided and lost along the way.
OSR: What advice do you have for emerging artists?
RIOT SON: Never give up and always reach for the unreachable. That is how our truest potential is unlocked; if we don’t reach for the stars, that potential will always be left lingering untapped! Be kind, be whole, and most importantly, be true to yourself no matter what.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
RIOT SON: Thank you for reading this, looking me up, streaming my music, and keeping up with my journey as an artist. There is so much more in store waiting right around the corner, so stay tuned!
Once again, I can’t stress enough that this upcoming music will be a massive turning point for me as a creative and singer-songwriter. It is by far the most innovative work I have done yet. ‘PULSE’ will be the first single released from the new project! Don’t forget to follow my socials for more news, and thanks for having me.
Many thanks to RIOT SON for speaking with us. Find out more about RIOT SON on his Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustianablecurator
