Riot Son connects with us about the emotional journey behind the release of "Loneliest at Best"
- STAFF
- Aug 23
- 8 min read
By: Staff
"Loneliest at Best” is a breathtaking exploration of heartache, vulnerability, and raw emotion.
Riot Son, the rising force behind one of the most captivating new tracks of the year, has just released "Loneliest at Best", a song that feels like a personal diary set to a driving, emotional soundtrack. But what lies beneath the surface of this dynamic single? We spoke with the artist to uncover the deeper layers of the track, its haunting melodies, and the raw, vulnerable emotions that shape its soul.
In a world that’s constantly shifting between chaos and calm, Riot Son's sound stands as a powerful, unapologetic reflection of emotional complexity. "Loneliest at Best" isn’t just a song, it's a journey through love, heartache, and the quiet introspection that follows. As the track builds, so too does the tension, pulling listeners into an intricate web of sound and meaning.
But what is it that drives this artist to share such an intimate glimpse into their life and mind? How do they handle the pressure of opening up in an increasingly critical world? And what role does their home studio, tucked away in the misty hills of Boone, NC, play in shaping the music?
We spoke to Riot Son about their creative process, the art of vulnerability, and what comes next.
Read on to dive into the world of an artist who is on the brink of something much bigger.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello RIOT SON, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved the opening notes of “Loneliest at Best.” The dynamic intro that flowed so beautifully into your vocals was exhilarating. Also, we really felt captivated by your tone and emotional delivery. It’s such a fantastic song. When did you first realize the power of your voice, and what moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A. At an early age I was self conscious about my voice. I always had the desire to perform and eventually became more confident in time. As long as I can remember, I was always singing songs. I always had a desire to perform infront of people. I remember during school I would play guitar in the parking lot, or at parties. I started busking downtown in front of strangers, and that’s when I realized the power my voice had through my own songwriting.
Q. What message do you want to express with “Loneliest at Best”? How do you hope that resonates with fans?
A. This song is about how you should never be afraid of feeling the way you truly feel, and that It’s ok to be brave and wear your heart on your sleeve no matter what.
Q. Since “Loneliest at Best” speaks to a lot of emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment and judgment-driven world, or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. I have always found it easy and liberating to express my own vulnerability through music.
A lot of times in life I find music is the only thing that truly makes sense to me. Through my own composures I want others to easily connect with what they may find hard to express.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the title of “Loneliest at Best”? Was it your first choice, or did the title evolve over time?
A. With most of my songs I’ll carefully find a key word, or phrase in the chorus that sums up the songs entirety. In some cases, I’ll have the title before I write the song.
Q. Given your DIY approach to recording in your home studio in Boone, NC, how do the physical surroundings of your environment influence the emotional tones in your music? Do you find the local landscape becomes a character in your songs?
A. I have always sought refugee and peace in the forest growing up in the mountains. I find the mountains have always invoked a feeling of melancholy that trickles through each and every one of my songs like rain. Most of my inspiration comes from long walks in the mountains, or with a hot cup of coffee at a cafe in the downtown area. I’m also inspired by driving on long lost roads through the rainy forests. Most of the times, I’ll find myself immersed outdoors in my surroundings writing what comes to mind through feeling.
Q. Your sound has a blend of early 2000s indie emo rock with jangly post-punk elements. Was this always the go-to of your style, or was this something you evolved into?
A. My music is alternative and versatile in the way that I encompass many styles and genres. I want to create my own unique and collective sound that takes on a whole notion of
Its own. I don’t want to be confined by a specific genre, for that limits myself as an artist. I would rather incorporate many elements on my own
Accord, and make my own signature sound.
Q. There's a distinct melancholy tone that comes through in both your music and the setting of Boone, NC. Do you feel like the seasons or even the weather there actively shape your creative process, or is it more about mood and mindset?
A. I would say, growing up and living in a temperate rain forest in the mountains contributes to the overall mood and mindset of my music. I like to hike on the Parkway and find myself very inspired writing most of my songs in this manner. I find peace in nature while contemplating on my feelings and writing what feels natural.
It’s rainy and overcast most of the year making it a gloomy place to be at times. When the sun does come out it brings me a lot of melancholy. My music has always had emotive characteristics that are inspired by the grunge and post-punk scenes. These artists that inspire my writing came from similar climates, which create a mood that I can very much relate to with my own writing.
Q. The term "cult-like fan base" was mentioned in reference to your growing following. How do you connect with your fans on a deeper level, beyond just the music? What kind of relationship do you aim to build with them?
A. It’s really great to see so many fans all over the world connecting with me on a personal level. It really is a special feeling knowing others resonate with you and believe in you. Music will always have the power to comfort you and speak to you on a personal level. I believe when that level is reached between musician and listener, a fan is truly forged.
I have dedicated fans across seas who have expressed interest in flying to Us cities for shows. It all varies, whether it be a fan in Birmingham who shares poetry with me, or a personal dm from a drag queen in Brooklyn, It all means so much to me to build a sense of belonging and overall understanding with my fans.
Q. What role does the feeling of “being alone” play in your music, especially in tracks like "Loneliest at Best"? Is it more about isolation, or does it have a deeper meaning for you in terms of artistic freedom?
A. The feeling of isolation on a physical aspect with my surroundings, and an emotional one, go hand and hand with my music on a personal level, in most cases, regarding my song writing.
Q. You’re working with producers like Magnet$u and Philip Spalding, each with significant industry experience. How has working alongside these seasoned professionals changed your approach to songwriting and production?
A. Me and Philip Spalding met through a mutual friend from the Indie rock scene in NYC. He is a very experienced musician and producer in London. He has worked with Martin Rushent who worked with legendary acts such as Joy Division and The Buzzcocks to name a few. He has helped craft and guide my lyrical composure, structure and overall vocal delivery over time. I credit him as a complete visionary. I’m quite excited about releasing an EP with him.
Magnet$u is an influential producer to say the least. I find familiarity with his music, as it very much encompasses a whole mood on its own. His sound is very impressionable making it similar to my own writing style, so making this Ep came easy.
Q. The statement "save your breath, you pretend it's okay" from "Loneliest at Best" captures a moment of emotional exhaustion. What makes this particular lyric stand out in your catalog? Does it have a specific memory or experience tied to it?
A. That particular line refers to a moment I shared with someone I really cared about. They bottled everything up inside and just went on Ignoring everything that mattered. They were essentially pretending everything’s ok, when in reality they were screaming from within to find some type of peace. This pattern eventually reached a breaking point, which inspired the emotional drive into the ending of the song.
Q. As you look ahead to your New York City music video and show, how do you anticipate the shift from a more intimate, homegrown environment to the energy of a bigger city will influence your music or your performance style?
A. I’m very excited to grow as an artist with new experiences and environments shaping my overall sound. Letting go and going into the unknown is something I gladly anticipate.
Q. Do you find yourself needing to push back against trends to stay true to your sound, or do you feel like the current state of music encourages innovation?
A. I am definetly a collector of ideas and transformations. I have recently been finding myself inspired by the fusion of various genres into one, which is a new wave of music that’s emerging from the underground that I am happy to be a part of. The idea of pushing foward instead of back is more idealistic to me.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. That being an artist is about staying true to you through your own innovative perspectives
Q. We’d love to dive deeper into the story behind your artist name, RIOT SON. Now that we’ve had a chance to experience your music, it’s up clear that your fans will be equally curious about the meaning behind the name that accompanies your sound. How does the name “RIOT SON” connect to the music you create, what significance does it hold for you personally, and what is the origin or backstory behind the name?
A. This is actually a funny story, So I was working as a taxi driver driving an art student from Boston to the aiport. On the long ride we were pondering artist names together! We decided “RIOT” captured the rebellious, true to yourself aesthetic, and that “SON” just captured the solo moniker very well, yet making it relatable in a sense connecting to family ties. I told her If asked, I would always tell this story! The name “RIOT SON” also brings about a multifaceted vision which makes it appealing for my overall direction.
Q. And finally, we can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. I will be releasing my EP with Magnet$u this Fall following an EP with the London based producer Philip Spalding. There will be music videos and pop up shows, along with a more concentrated image, that will be evolving along with my music.
RIOT SON, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared RIOT SON’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
