EXCLUSIVE: Zach Riley Talks “With You” and His Transition from Drummer to Frontman

Zach Riley, a skilled drummer known for his genre-blending abilities, is stepping into the spotlight with his new single, "With You." 

Dedicated to his wife, the song merges catchy pop melodies with pop-punk influences, reflecting Zach's diverse musical background. Zach Riley describes the song as a tribute to his wife's unwavering support and their mutual encouragement to be the best versions of themselves, hoping the heartfelt message of enduring love resonates with many listeners.

After seven years of drumming for various bands, Zach felt a strong desire to express his own musical vision. Inspired by artists like Neck Deep, Ed Sheeran, and The Band Camino, he crafted "With You" to capture the energy and emotion of a supportive relationship. 

The song is more than just a love song; it's a powerful testament to the impact of having someone who believes in you. With its infectious energy and relatable lyrics, "With You" is set to become an anthem for anyone uplifted by love. We talked to him and here is what he said. ¡Enjoy!

Hello Zach, thanks for your time. From drummer to frontman - what sparked the decision to step out from behind the kit and take center stage?

I actually used to drum in another band a few years ago, but we couldn’t find a singer. We knew another guy who could drum, so he became the drummer and I sort of got thrown into the deep end with singing. That band ended up not working out, but that was the kick in the ass I needed to start singing and releasing my own songs.

You describe "With You" as a genre-hopping song. Can you walk us through how your diverse influences like Neck Deep, Ed Sheeran, or other artists come together in your music?

I grew up on a lot of classic pop punk bands like Fall Out Boy, Sum 41, Blink-182, etc. so that music will always be engrained in me and my style one way or another. As I got older, I definitely veered more toward pop music. When I started playing guitar and writing my own songs, Ed Sheeran was getting very popular, and his music and lyrics really resonated with me. Since then, I’ve discovered a bunch of different bands that really influenced my sound, like The Band Camino and The 1975.

"With You" feels like a perfect blend of catchy pop and heartfelt lyrics. Is this the direction you see your music going in the future?

I honestly think the sound really depends on the song I’m working on, but there will always be a pop element for sure. The lyrics will always be a priority for me, though. I’m a huge lyric snob, and I think there are a lot of great songs out there that get ruined by bad lyrics. I think a lot of musicians prioritize melodies and making sure the song is catchy enough without putting any thought into the lyrics. I strongly believe you can’t just have a strong melody or just strong lyrics. Both are important, and the best songs are the ones that have both.

Seven years drumming in bands - are there any hidden gems or musical moments from that time that you'd like to revisit or reimagine in your solo work?

Ya, there are definitely a few songs I’ve worked on with past band members that never got to see the light of day that I’d still love to work on. Not sure if any of those would come out any time soon, but you never know.

As a songwriter, what inspires you the most? Are there themes or experiences you find yourself constantly drawn to?

I wouldn’t say I’m naturally drawn to it, but for some reason, sad topics usually just flow easier for me when writing lyrics. The lyrics just naturally come out, and it’s either about heartbreak or another sad aspect of life. I definitely prefer writing happier music, but the sad stuff just seems to be natural for me.

Transitioning from collaboration to leading your own project - what are the biggest challenges and rewards you've faced?

Challenges would definitely be the financial side of music. It’s an expensive career path, especially when you’re first starting out. But when you have 4 other band members to help you with the costs of everything, that’s super helpful. Having full creative control though is massive. Not having to run the music or lyrics by anyone first and just playing what I think sounds good? Huge.

How does your drumming background influence your songwriting or performance style as a solo artist?

When I write lyrics or music, it’s almost always very poppy. But my drumming influences consist of musicians like Josh Dunn of Twenty One Pilots, Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters, Cobus Potgieter, Ben Thatcher of Royal Blood, Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys, etc. Honestly, I could go on and on. There are so many drummers I love and admire, but just very different compared to my singing and songwriting influences.

You mentioned wanting to express yourself more fully. What are some unexpected ways you've discovered yourself creatively in this new phase?

I’ve definitely done a lot of self-reflection on myself as a person while songwriting in the past couple years. There have been some moments while writing where some lines just come out of me, and I’m like “Woah that was deep. Am I okay?” But I love that, ‘cause I’m discovering more about myself as a person the more I write and create music. It’s kinda therapeutic in a way. 

What's your songwriting process like? Do the lyrics or melody come first, or is it a more fluid back-and-forth?

I would say it really depends on the song. Sometimes I get a melody stuck in my head and I just kinda hum along until words start to flow. Sometimes I think of the lyrics before the melody and try to find a melody that works with them. It’s different every time, and I don’t really have a concrete process. 

Do you have any dream collaborations or artists you'd love to work with in the future?

Oh, man! There are so many. This one’s probably a cliché, but Ed Sheeran would probably be near the top of my list. He just seems like a genuine guy, and he writes some incredible songs. I’m also a huge fan of Matt Maeson and Noah Kahan. Both of those guys have a bunch of beautifully written songs. It would be a dream come true just to have any of them notice me, but if I worked on a song with any of them, that would be unreal. I’d never shut up about it.

What can fans expect from your live shows? High-energy pop anthems, or something more intimate?

I’ve done quite a few intimate shows where it’s just myself and a guitar, but with the full band shows, I love to keep it high energy. Get people dancing and having a good time. I also love interacting with the crowd and trying to get some laughs here and there. When I go to concerts, I’m always super impressed when the artists are able to interact well with the crowd and get them involved. That’s definitely something I try to incorporate into my performances as well. 

Any hints about what other genres you might explore in your "genre-hopping" journey?

I’m sure I’ll cross over into some genres I never expected myself to go into at some point. As for right now though, there may be some rockier songs in the near future, but that’s about as “crazy” as it’ll get for me for the time being.

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