Riley! on new EP 'To Live And Die In The American South' and finding belonging

Riley! have released 'To Live And Die In The American South', their first record for Pure Noise Records. The trio, from the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas, cut the five-song EP with producer Phil Odom, marking their first time working in a proper studio after years of bedroom recordings and DIY releases.

The title arrived mid-writing. Vocalist Ryan Bluhm says the band had settled on something else before the phrase came up during a stop outside the van, and it stuck because it matched where the lyrics were heading. The opening track deals directly with the love-hate relationship the members have with their hometown.

Bassist Izzy Izaguirre grew up in Mexico and, after moving to the United States, went more than a decade without travelling outside Texas. Leaving the Valley, she says, made her appreciate how culturally rich the area is. Kris Gallardo rounds out the line-up.

As an openly queer band based in a deeply conservative state, Riley! credit emo and alternative music with providing a community that was otherwise hard to find locally. Izzy adds that the band refuses pay-to-play arrangements and makes a point of looking after the acts they take on tour, having been on the wrong end of unpaid shows and rough drives themselves.

The EP tackles isolation, anxiety, grief and the sacrifices tied to chasing a purpose. Odom contributed percussion, piano and synth ideas without taking over, according to Ryan, who says the biggest priority as the band grows is keeping songwriting fun. Riley! have previously shared stages with Hot Mulligan, Arm's Length and Saturdays At Your Place.