01Profile
A George Riley Photo
George Riley
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
George Riley, London, Shepherds Bush.
Describe your style in three words?
Express every day.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s so hard I can’t remember yesterday but seeing Onyx Collective & co perform at the MOMA in NY was a moment.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Okay, I'm gonna say, Erykah Badu, the living legend and Gil Scott-Heron.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Is funk a subculture? I don’t know maybe not, as much as it is a way of life! aha. The Brothers Jonhson, Bootsy, The Blackbyrds, Parliament (of course), Rick James (of course) – it's flamboyant, it’s expressive, Afrofuturism’s kinda at its core. The Mary Jane Girls also of that era – amazing girl groups with great vocals and harmonies, that’s a big part of my musical education! And then I would have to say dance music, rave culture, clubs, dancing, sweating, beats, thundering bass lol, I miss it! I’ve been listening to a lot of Loraine James recently, also Kush Jones, Actress.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
James Baldwin. Just wanna call him up and be like James, my man what the hell do we do!? A friend recommended me 'The Fire Next Time' which is a great short intro to his writing but if you really want to cry go read 'Tell Me How Long The Trains Been Gone'.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
You know what we played the Windmill in Brixton for Wu-Lu’s birthday, best line up that night, Lex Amor, KwakeBass, Rago Foot – 'twas a family affair and we played a great show. That was in Jan 2020 I think so little did we know that would be one of the last times.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Demae!!! Definitely. The recognition is coming in, her recent Colors performance was historical or should I say herstorical, but yeah, I absolutely love her music. Please check it out if you haven’t already.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Probably 'Rewind' by Craig David.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Regulate' by Warren G or 'Doomsday' by the late MF DOOM. That’s summer teenage memories for real.
One record you would keep forever?
I hope I keep every record I have forever but defo 'Water No Get Enemy' by Fela Kuti, the classic.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I'm impressed every time you smile
When I feel like you mean to smile
‘Cause you can be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
Every morning, when you wake up
You put on a new disguise
How long did you think it would take me to realize?"
From 'When You Are Who You Are' by Gil Scott-Heron. Gets me every time, and taught me that you really don’t have to complicate things to convey an emotion.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Hangin' On A String' by Loose Ends. Love to aunty dance any place, any time.
A song you wished you had written?
'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' by Al Green. Which I think was originally written by the Bee Gees, but it’s the Al Green version that really gets me going.
Best song to turn up loud?
'A Greater Love' by Yves Tumor.
Best song to bring people together?
'I’m Still In Love' by Alton Ellis.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Where Are U Now' by Justin Bieber. This is a banger I don’t care what anyone says.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Drum Song' by Jackie Mittoo.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'The Band' by Black Noi$e. Been listening to this newish project - love this track featuring Liv.e. She was also definitely one of my most listened to in 2020.
'Pastor (feat. Maxwell Owin and O the Ghost)' by Anja Ngozi, she’s a good friend and she’s so talented.
'Puerto Kickstart' by TWEAKS. Don’t know much about the artist but love this track.
'I Feel Like I’m Blue' by Lea Sen. Really beautiful music can’t wait to hear her ep.
'Brush U' by Ragz Originale. Big up, loving his latest release.
'Love is in Demand' by Brother May. He put this out in 2020, loved the whole thing but favourite song from him is 'Aura Type Orange'.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
George Riley, London, Shepherds Bush.
Describe your style in three words?
Express every day.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s so hard I can’t remember yesterday but seeing Onyx Collective & co perform at the MOMA in NY was a moment.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Okay, I'm gonna say, Erykah Badu, the living legend and Gil Scott-Heron.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Is funk a subculture? I don’t know maybe not, as much as it is a way of life! aha. The Brothers Jonhson, Bootsy, The Blackbyrds, Parliament (of course), Rick James (of course) – it's flamboyant, it’s expressive, Afrofuturism’s kinda at its core. The Mary Jane Girls also of that era – amazing girl groups with great vocals and harmonies, that’s a big part of my musical education! And then I would have to say dance music, rave culture, clubs, dancing, sweating, beats, thundering bass lol, I miss it! I’ve been listening to a lot of Loraine James recently, also Kush Jones, Actress.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
James Baldwin. Just wanna call him up and be like James, my man what the hell do we do!? A friend recommended me 'The Fire Next Time' which is a great short intro to his writing but if you really want to cry go read 'Tell Me How Long The Trains Been Gone'.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
You know what we played the Windmill in Brixton for Wu-Lu’s birthday, best line up that night, Lex Amor, KwakeBass, Rago Foot – 'twas a family affair and we played a great show. That was in Jan 2020 I think so little did we know that would be one of the last times.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Demae!!! Definitely. The recognition is coming in, her recent Colors performance was historical or should I say herstorical, but yeah, I absolutely love her music. Please check it out if you haven’t already.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Probably 'Rewind' by Craig David.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Regulate' by Warren G or 'Doomsday' by the late MF DOOM. That’s summer teenage memories for real.
One record you would keep forever?
I hope I keep every record I have forever but defo 'Water No Get Enemy' by Fela Kuti, the classic.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I'm impressed every time you smile
When I feel like you mean to smile
‘Cause you can be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
Every morning, when you wake up
You put on a new disguise
How long did you think it would take me to realize?"
From 'When You Are Who You Are' by Gil Scott-Heron. Gets me every time, and taught me that you really don’t have to complicate things to convey an emotion.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Hangin' On A String' by Loose Ends. Love to aunty dance any place, any time.
A song you wished you had written?
'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' by Al Green. Which I think was originally written by the Bee Gees, but it’s the Al Green version that really gets me going.
Best song to turn up loud?
'A Greater Love' by Yves Tumor.
Best song to bring people together?
'I’m Still In Love' by Alton Ellis.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Where Are U Now' by Justin Bieber. This is a banger I don’t care what anyone says.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Drum Song' by Jackie Mittoo.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'The Band' by Black Noi$e. Been listening to this newish project - love this track featuring Liv.e. She was also definitely one of my most listened to in 2020.
'Pastor (feat. Maxwell Owin and O the Ghost)' by Anja Ngozi, she’s a good friend and she’s so talented.
'Puerto Kickstart' by TWEAKS. Don’t know much about the artist but love this track.
'I Feel Like I’m Blue' by Lea Sen. Really beautiful music can’t wait to hear her ep.
'Brush U' by Ragz Originale. Big up, loving his latest release.
'Love is in Demand' by Brother May. He put this out in 2020, loved the whole thing but favourite song from him is 'Aura Type Orange'.