On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Nashville-based artist Riley Smith (RYLY) to talk about the journey from Atlanta to Music City, shaping a sound that blends arena-ready indie pop/rock with songwriter roots, and what it takes to build momentum as an independent artist. We dig into writing from piano or acoustic guitar first, then “dressing up” songs in the studio, translating big arrangements to the stage (solo and with a band), and navigating the push-pull of social media while protecting your headspace.

Riley also teases new music on the way—including the forthcoming single “Somebody to Know Me”—and hints at a couple of side projects exploring different eras and flavors. If you’re into hooky melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and artists who think deeply about why the songs matter, this one’s for you.

Follow Riley and First Spin for updates—and stick around to discover a few new artists at the end.

Songs featured in this episode:

Figure It Out

Joyride

Better Alone

Sooner or Later

Young + Naive (I'm Addicted To My Phone And So Is Everyone Else)

Air

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Thanks for listening—see you next week.