Belfast-based alt-pop artist Ria Timkin has released her new single, The Difference. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I have two degrees in law but I always knew I was going to be a musician one way or another. I'm a classically trained pianist, and I sang in a choir for eight years before getting into a solo music career. My biggest flex to date is the fact that I played at the Glastonbury Festival - it was one of the best moments of my life, and I hope to do it again in the future!
How would you describe your music?
I call it cinematic alternative pop. There are lots of synth bass sounds, drumbeats and piano passages in my music with a huge amount of vocal harmonies! I enjoy high contrasts when it comes to music - how sad and almost self-deprecating the lyrics can be while disguised in a catchy tune or how dramatic and theatrical some of my ballads sound, transporting listeners to a completely different scene.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I’m a big fan of Imagine Dragons, and my newer music has definitely been inspired by them. CHVRCHES is another band that’s very high up on my list of inspirations. I also get very attached to specific albums, so Lorde’s Pure Heroine and Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. They are albums are on constant repeat for me.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball. I was absolutely mesmerised by the show and thought to myself: "This is what I want to do with my life!"
What was the first record you ever bought?
I was in the US and I bought the Hannah Montana: The Movie CD together with Red by Taylor Swift. I was very happy that day!
What’s your favourite song right now?
This is a little bit self-centred but I’m so proud of The Difference, the new song that I made, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it! I was going through a rough patch when I wrote it, and the lyrics of the song are very motivational, so I used them as a self-help guide to get myself out of a rut. I hope this song will help someone else like it helped me!
Favourite lyric of all time?
I really like the lyric from Halsey’s song called The Tradition: "Ask for forgiveness, never permission". I’m such a stickler for rules but sometimes you need to take a risk and put yourself out there without having to ask or having to worry about other people’s opinions. This line is a good reminder, I have it on my visualisation board for this year.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Counting Stars by OneRepublic. It is such a good song! A little bit sad but also full of hope and that feeling of stubbornness to go on!
Where can people find your music/more information?
Head to my website and get the links to your favourite platforms in one place! I’m very lucky to have a consistent username on every platform, so if you type @riatimkin, you’ll find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and all the other platforms.
Alan Corr
