Interview: Rijah
Singer-songwriter/producer Rijah fuses the soul of her hometown, Jersey City, with the jazz of Manhattan, sculpting a vivid self-portrait that reflects themes of perseverance, growth, and human nature.
In 2022, Rijah released ‘the only one i know’ EP, and through further exploration of herself and the world around her, her latest project, “Motion Pictures,” emerged. With an innovative approach to R&B, her songs reflect the bridge between youth and adulthood.
In September 2024, Rijah made her festival debut, sharing the same stage with Norah Jones and Noah Kahan at the 2024 Soundside Music Festival in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 2023 and 2024, she was featured in NPR Tiny Desk Top Shelf episodes with her songs “Up” and “House In Tattoos.”
Since then, she has experimented with blending the intricacies of jazz with the lyrical and melodic sensibilities of her musical inspirations, weaving a tapestry that tells her story.
What inspires your music?
My lyrics are all inspired by my own introspective thoughts and perspective on how I view the world. Being a woman of color and also navigating being an adult has inspired a lot of the songs I've written about perseverance, and other common themes that anybody in any transitional period in their life might relate to. Growing up in Jersey City, a cultural melting pot right next to New York City, and also growing up in a family of musicians first sparked my love for music, and continues to inspire me every day.
Who are some of your influences?
Stevie Wonder, Yebba, Allen Stone, Tori Kelly
What are some of your favorite memories from your career?
Some of my favorite memories are recent shows I've had with my band at the Soundside Music Festival in Connecticut and playing at the NAMM Convention in California.
Other incredible moments are some of the recording experiences I've had with my band. Filming the Tiny Desk Submissions has always been such a fun experience.
Which of your projects do you love the most?
"House In Tattoos" is my favorite song I have released. It is such a personal song about the specific objects in my house that are tied to people and memories I have. I also just love the concept because it expresses a visual that connects to the feeling of nostalgia.
Who are some of the collaborators who helped you create your favorite works?
Bass player and my partner in creative/music direction for my live shows, Owen Reinders (@reindoon) is one of my main collaborators and has played on multiple of my releases: "House In Tattoos", "Up", and "What Have I Got To Lose."
Shaan Ramaprasad (@shaan.ramaprasad) is a musician who has played and arranged strings on my songs "Salt" from my first EP and "House In Tattoos" from my recent project.
Guitarist Lex Kolody played guitar on my releases "Up", "Good Morning", "Midnight" and "What Have I Got to Lose".
Engineers and producers I collaborate with frequently are Zeke Sacaridiz (@zekesacaridiz) and Arthur Caplan (@artclass.mp3) who have both contributed to my EP Motion Pictures and live recordings.
What are you most excited to bring to your fans next?
I am most excited to record the next few songs I've written and connect with my audience through my live show.
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
My goal is to grow my fanbase and bring my live show to different cities.
How can your fans and our readers best support you right now?
You can best support me by streaming my music and by connecting with me on social media. I would love to talk to my audience and hear what you think! Keeping in touch on Instagram/TikTok for updates on any live shows I'm playing is the best way to show your support!
