IT has been 10 years in the making... but talented singer-songwriter Riley is finally going for it with her debut single.

The 21-year-old began creating her own music at the age of 11 and has been building a steady reputation as one of Glasgow’s most promising and most exciting live artists.

Now, with a varied catalogue of performances under her belt, she’s hoping for mainstream success in 2021 with her very first single.

Her recording debut Go-Getter is already tipped for success after attracting radio play and being chosen as Single of the Week on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show.

As she waits impatiently for its official release tomorrow, Riley spoke to the Glasgow Times.

“I am so excited to finally release my debut single, Go-Getter,” she said.

“As an independent touring artist, I thrive when performing live in front of an audience, but lockdown has given me the opportunity to really channel my creativity into writing and recording new material.”

While being unable to play live has been tough, Riley has taken the chance to make connections overseas using video calls.

She added: “Over the past year, I’ve also been able to take part in co-writing sessions across Zoom with writers and producers from everywhere from Germany to Australia, which is an opportunity I might otherwise not have had.

“I also reached out to many of Scotland’s best upcoming artists and musicians to collaborate on a cover of Bill Withers’ Lean on Me which we used to raise money for SAMH and Music Venue Trust.”

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Riley has already captivated audiences during gigs at King’s Tuts, Belladrum, Skye Live, Doune the Rabbit Hole and Country on the Clyde and as support to 2020 breakthrough band Tide Lines.

The creative 21-year-old, who cites Joni Mitchell, Maren Morris, The 1975 and Taylor Swift amongst her biggest musical influences, has been song writing since she was 11 years old and describes her sound as “Nashville-inspired country-pop with folk-style lyrics”.

Riley’s first big break came when was she was chosen to support Donnie Munro at a gig in Ayr, after which she began regularly performing support slots and headline gigs at live music hotspots around Glasgow including King Tut’s, The Garage, 13th Note, Broadcast, Hug and Pint, Nice N Sleazy and The Blue Arrow.

Her commanding stage presence coupled with her beautifully melodic vocals, relatable lyrics and striking image meant it didn’t take long for gig-goers to take notice and for her to start building up a strong following of her own.

The singer-songwriter, who was once asked to audition for American Idol after being spotted online by talent scout Marylynne Stella, mother of pop sensation Lennon Stella from hit TV show Nashville, said: “Go-Getter is a feelgood anthem for 2021.

“It’s about leaving self-doubt behind in exchange for finding true happiness within ourselves.

“It’s a song I hope people will sing along to in the car, dance around their living room to and, eventually, which I will be able to perform live – maybe even in Nashville.”

“No matter if you’re going through heartbreak, or there’s been a certain someone living in your head rent-free for too long, Go-Getter will serve as a reminder that you’re perfect just the way you are.

“It highlights the tough reality and life lesson that you are all you’ve got and you’re the only one responsible for your happiness.

“It’s a nudge to leave negative thoughts, people and vibes in 2020 and make room for a successful and magical 2021.

“I have been blown away by the reaction to Go-Getter so far.

“Hearing my music being played on mainstream radio has been a dream come true.

“For a young and independent artist like myself, that level of exposure and support can be of paramount importance to the success of the song so I am really grateful to everyone that has given it a spin.”

Riley continued: “If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that life is too short to spend your time being hung up on what you can’t control, and you should instead instil in yourself a ‘go-getter’ mentality and chase the dreams you’ve always wanted to.

“Go get it.”

Go-Getter will be released tomorrow on Spotify, iTunes and AmazonMusic. Pre-save on Spotify and Pre-order on iTunes(79p)/AmazonMusic(69p): www.smarturl.it/go.getter

To find out more about Riley, see https://linktr.ee/rileymusic