Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Ria Timkin

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My earliest memory connected to music is being on a walk with my family somewhere in the countryside, humming a made-up song just for fun. My mum has a video recording of it, so I’m not entirely sure whether my brain has substituted the footage for a real memory – but in the video I’m around four years old and clearly enjoying the impromptu performance. 

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I’ve always been a musical child and attended piano lessons and choir singing from an early age. My passion for creating music really took shape in my teens, when I wanted to express my feelings without necessarily having someone to talk to about them. I started writing songs and found it incredibly liberating. I began writing on piano and later progressed to guitar, learning basic chords through YouTube. 

What’s the story behind your current music project?

I started performing in piano and singing competitions quite young, and it was always under my own name. Many of the artists I admired growing up also performed without pseudonyms or band names, so subconsciously it became important for me to keep my name as the stage name.

Initially, it was a solo project – I began with acoustic guitar and piano performances, gradually expanding into a live looping act by introducing different instruments and layering beats, vocal harmonies, and sounds. After moving to Belfast, I knew I wanted to push my sound even further, and for that I needed a band. Now I perform as a trio with Jamie McNamee on bass and synth, and Harry Whyte on drums. I absolutely love playing as part of a band and don’t think I’d ever revert to being solo on stage. 

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I describe my sound as cinematic alt-pop. It’s full of contrast in the best way – some songs are bright and full of hope and energy, while others lean into darker, more atmospheric spaces inspired by the worlds of fantasy and fiction. I really love exploring both extremes and seeing how they can coexist.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

We live in a world with very short attention spans, and I’ve learnt that you need to make your musical impression on a listener quickly. This was a hard lesson, especially as I started out as a live looping artist who relied on slowly building layers of sounds before reaching a song’s peak. Unfortunately, you do have around 20 seconds to capture the attention of listeners, radio curators, or promoters, so you have to put your best foot forward immediately. It completely changed the way I approach songwriting, and over time I’ve become quite ruthless about cutting filler parts that I know don’t represent my strongest work.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

I often write songs while doing other things – walking, driving, or going about my daily chores. I try not to put too much pressure on myself, allowing lyrics, melodies, and rhythms to form naturally alongside my everyday life. For a while, I worried about whether I could actually write a song on demand, but last Christmas I was asked to write a festive song for a special performance and was relieved to discover that I could write under pressure too.

Once the song is fully formed in my head, I move to the piano to work out the chords. I then create a proper demo with all the instrumental parts and harmonies in a music software called  Ableton, which we also use for live performances. From there, the song is ready to be recorded in the studio. 

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I really admire artists like Aurora and Ruelle who’ve built international audiences while maintaining creative control of their careers. Locally, I love fellow indie-pop band Beauty Sleep – they’re a great example of a Northern Irish act developing a strong artistic identity independently. 

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

I’ve always used songwriting as a tool to express my feelings and work things out. With my latest EP, though, I began taking a more creative approach to my narrative, leaning into darker, more atmospheric spaces and exploring fantasy worlds. I’m obviously no ancient warrior, but I love transporting myself and my listeners to imagined battlefields, exploring darker stories and blending them with the everyday realities. 

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I’m a dreamer at heart, and most of my music explores different facets of chasing dreams – from the light moments of hope and happiness to darker emotions like frustration, desperation, and anger. I’d love my listeners to experience that emotional journey and perhaps come away feeling a little bolder in their own aspirations and thoughts. 

 What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

The most important lesson I’ve learnt is that you have to believe in yourself ten thousand times more than anyone else does. You have to be so stubborn and resilient that no amount of criticism, rejection, or negativity can ever stop you. You have to be unapologetically yourself and just keep going. 

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I was incredibly lucky to be invited to play Glastonbury as a solo artist quite early in my career. My biggest dream is to return with my band and perform on one of the major stages. Locally, I’d love to play the Stendhal Festival, which is one of the best music festivals in Northern Ireland. 

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I’d love to collaborate with Nine Inch Nails. They’re exceptional songwriters, producers, and live performers. Their collaboration with Halsey on “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” is one of my favourite albums ever. 

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

I have a website riatimkin.com and online store store.riatimkin.com for all my music updates, newsletter sign up, live dates, and merchandise. I’m also on most social media channels and you can find me as @riatimkin on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Youtube, and X. 

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

I can’t wait to release the rest of the EP I recorded with Tom Wilding and take it on tour.

Playing live is my favourite thing in the world, so I’m excited to bring our show on the road. 

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope my listeners discover just how much I appreciate their support. Every kind comment, every interaction, every ticket purchase, and every piece of merch means the world to me – none of it goes unnoticed. Performing live is my greatest joy, and everything I do day to day is driven by the desire to step on that stage and connect with people.