Today, we are excited to feature Riaan, a promising young artist whose career is rapidly gaining attention among music enthusiasts. Born in 2003, Riaan is currently majoring in Vocal Performance at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. His musical journey began with training at SM Entertainment from 2021 to 2022 and now, with the help of Nostalgiaa Records, Riaan is ready to rock.

Riaan’s versatility with multiple instruments, including the piano and guitar, combined with his impressive vocals, has paved the way for his official entry into the music world with the release of his debut single, Treat Me Better, on July 30. The song is entirely in English and features collaborations with producer Flip_00 and the well-known Singaporean artist Gen Neo, emphasising Riaan’s soulful and polished vocals. Without a doubt, this quality is essential for making an impression on astute music critics and listeners. 

Following the release of his single, Riaan sat down with View of the Arts for a brief conversation about the creative process behind Treat Me Better. We also explored the influences that have shaped Riaan’s music and gained insight into his plans as an artist. This interview allowed us to discover the artistic mind of one of the most exciting new talents in music.

We all know that nothing lasts forever, I want to live each moment to the fullest and find meaning in it.

View of the Arts: Before we discuss your debut single, Treat Me Better, could you share what inspired you to pursue a career as a singer?

Riaan: When I was a little kid, my mom played pop, R&B, and classic jazz every morning. This exposure helped me develop a strong love for music. One day, she showed me Justin Bieber performing on a TV show, which inspired me to dream of becoming an artist. The second major influence was the Korean R&B artist Dean; every song of his was sensational and made me feel like I should be creating that kind of music as well.

View of the Arts: Treat Me Better is a powerful debut, showing not only a great musical arrangement but also your smooth and silky vocals. The song features a collaboration with producer Flip_00 and Singaporean artist Gen Neo. What was it like to work with such established and talented artists?”

R: It was a great honour for me. I’m glad to have had the chance to work with such fantastic musicians and to learn more about how it all works.

View of the Arts: I find it interesting that you and the company chose to debut with an R&B track fully recorded in English. What influenced the decision to release an English version rather than a Korean one? 

R: Having spent all my school years abroad, I feel comfortable speaking English. This comfort has also led me to sing in English, as I want to connect more with my global fans.

View of the Arts: Treat Me Better, beautifully blends soothing R&B melodies. How involved were you in the production process of the song?

R: It was pretty challenging with the lyrics. I wanted to write something that everyone could relate to while also ensuring that the lyrics fit well with the melody. I remember staying up for several nights working on them.

View of the Arts: Talking about R&B music, which artists do you believe have influenced your style or might shape your future work, and why? Apart from R&B, is there another music genre that you like to listen to and is close to your heart?

R: I enjoy listening to all genres of music without any bias. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been influenced by various artists with unique styles, such as Justin Bieber, Dean, and Keshi. Each of these artists has a distinctive flair, which has greatly impacted my musical journey.

View of the Arts: Given your proficiency in multiple instruments, including the piano and guitar, how did you integrate these skills into your debut single? Also, can we expect to see you performing on these instruments live in the future?

R: Sure, I’m excited to make this for you all. When I was young, I took piano lessons and also developed an interest in guitar, so I practised on my own. I can’t wait to show my fans a different side of Treat Me Better through live performances, which will have a unique feel compared to the recorded tracks.

Whenever I listen to music, certain songs remind me of specific colours and places; it’s more than just the melody.

View of the Arts: You are currently majoring in Vocal Performance at Seoul Institute of the Arts, how do your academic studies influence your approach to music and artistry?

R: I’ve come to understand what it means to communicate with people through music, and this experience has deepened my knowledge of it. These elements seem to have helped me develop a better perspective on the music I want to share with others in the future.

View of the Arts: You’ve been gaining recognition among Korean listeners with your covers that reinterpret various songs all uploaded to YouTube. How do you choose which songs to cover, and what was the response from fans when they learned of your debut?

R: I wanted to give my fans a preview of my voice, so I covered songs that I thought would suit it well and that people would enjoy. When my debut date was announced, the response was supportive. That gave me a positive kind of nervous energy, and I felt just as excited as everyone else while preparing for it.

View of the Arts: As you continue to grow as an artist, what goals do you have for your music career? How do you envision your journey?

R: This has been something I’ve thought about since I started making music. I hope that my music can be a source of strength for people. I want listeners to feel energised at times, to relate, and to reflect on my songs. Just as I was inspired to pursue my dream of becoming an artist by others, I hope that I can be a role model for someone else, inspiring them to follow their own dreams as a future artist.

View of the Arts: Looking at your life, to what extent do you think your surroundings have shaped you, creatively speaking, and in what way?

R: Everything we experience as people – love, passion, short letters, relationships, the excitement of our daily lives – shapes who we are and gives us a reason to make music and be ourselves. Because we all know that nothing lasts forever, I want to live each moment to the fullest and find meaning in it.

View of the Arts: When I listen to music, I see shapes and colours. What happens in your mind when you’re listening to your favourite tune, and how does it influence your approach to creativity?

R: This is something personal to me. Whenever I listen to music, certain songs remind me of specific colours and places; it’s more than just the melody. This influences me, whether I’m experiencing something new or I’m in the mood to move on to the next steps in life.

View of the Arts:  Apart from releasing your debut single, what can your fans expect from you in 2024?

R: I believe we have the potential to be something special. I’ll do my best to show you more than you’ve seen so far. Let’s see how this year goes and how people respond. This could be a new beginning for us, and I hope my music can brighten people’s days and nights.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Nostalgiaa Records

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}