EXCLUSIVE: Powerhouse Riva Taylor Releases her Debut Album, ‘This Woman’s Heart.1’

London native Riva Taylor chats to us about the release of her debut album This Woman’s Heart .’1′. The compilation was over a decade in the making and encapsulates a story of not just personal devastation and recovery, but of a resilient woman who is finally finding herself through her music. In our exclusive interview Riva opens up about the album, the writing process and how she really spends her downtime.

Tell us about your new album in your own words…

This Woman’s Heart has taken five years to make. The first is the darker half of my heart, that’s what it represents. It’s seven tracks and I really hope it takes the audience on a journey.

Where you conscious about taking a long time over writing it, because you wanted to put so much work into it?

I think it’s taken so long to make because I have changed. What this album represents to me is my 20s and I think through those years a person changes a lot. They have new experiences, they make mistakes, it’s been the process of finding me and becoming Riva and putting that into my own words. The album has been made in more than one location. It’s taken me to some amazing countries, I’ve met some fantastic people, between Berlin, Paris, LA, Nashville and here in London, and Stockholm. Which is where the first single, Jealous, was written. Its been a journey to make the album and I wouldn’t have it any different.

You strike me as quite a perfectionist so I can imagine you’re very happy with the final result of This Woman’s Heart.

I am happy with the final result. I think that’s the beauty of this day and age, releasing music is that you can continue to test the market. We have been doing that with this material over the years. Two years ago we released My Mouth which received amazing feedback with Elton John playing it and adding it to his personal playlist. I’ve learnt from that process of releasing a few tracks, what the audience seems to like. I feel confident throwing this out into the world.

Do you have a favourite song on the album?

I think I love the track Jealous, it’s my boldest statement so far. Not just in terms of sentient but in terms of pushing my boundaries musically. I also connect with This Woman’s Heart, I think every artist has a song that tells their story, and that is the one for me. It explores my journey from being a young artist to the woman I am today.

Where do you take your inspiration from for the music and lyrics?

I take inspiration from wherever. It’s funny because I have to be in a place to feel inspired. A lot of people feel that. Maybe I have to take myself off to a different country and be in another space. That’s why I’ve started doing so many writing trips over the years. I tend to write when life is on the down, I think you have two choices at that point. You can either lock yourself away and don’t see the world or you use those negatives and turn them into a positive.

Do you have regular writing partners?

I do and I’ve honed those over the years. I think it’s healthy to have that now I’ve realised because there are great writers out there but you have to have that connection with them. James Walsh is somebody I will always go to write with. We wrote Running At Walls together.

Is there anyone who haven’t written with yet that you would like to?

I would love to write with someone like Stormzy, I think he’s an awesome lyricist. I think Emeli Sande is great and I’d love to write two women together, writing something heartfelt.

Who are your favourite artists?

I flick between listening to some of the more established artists like Annie Lennox who I adore and Kate Bush. I like Imogen Heap. I’ve always liked Katie Melua’s stuff and I think it’s because back in the day I performed with her and she’s a lovely girl.

Is there a venue you’d love to play?

I’d like to perform at the O2. I have seen some artists say it’s not the ideal venue to perform in but I feel like I’ve seen so many concerts there and I’ve learnt so much from other artists.

Is there anyone else on the list you’d like to collaborate with?

I’d like to perform with Annie Lennox. That would be killer. I’ve always been a big fan of Lady Gaga. I think she’s fascinating and such an awesome performer.

Away from music, how would you spend your down time?

I love to keep fit. I’m often in the gym. I’ve always danced throughout my whole life. At one point it was acting, singing and dancing. I’ve always tried to keep up with those and just hanging with friends.

Would you ever contemplate going back to the West End, you were in Les Mis as a child, is that something that would ever be on the cards for you?

I would love to. I’m waiting for that right moment. There have been a few opportunities to do it over the years but there has always been a release or something scheduled, but at one point I would love to. All singing and all dancing would be great, but I’d also love to play Fantine in Les Mis.

What does 2020 have in store for you now post Coronavirus?

Oh my goodness, I hope we have a decent chunk of 2020 left after Coronavirus. Well, the 2nd part of the album is due to come out. Continuing to write a bit more for that but we’re nearly there with it. Hopefully some live performing. That’ll be a real celebration when we emerge from this and can do that and I can hear this album in the live space.

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