“I call myself a Scottish country-folk fairy!”
Gill Sherry
“My mum says I could sing before I could speak.”
Abba’s ‘Thank You For The Music’ immediately springs to mind, but these are not lyrics from the Swedish pop quartet, these are words spoken by the Scottish singer/songwriter, Rianne Downey.
Born in Bellshill, Glasgow, Rianne was the only musical member of her family, influenced by the likes of Patsy Cline, Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac.
“When I heard them, it was almost like a chemical reaction. I just felt something in my gut, and it spoke to me. I would learn the songs that I loved. Those artists, Patsy Cline especially… I just felt so alive when I was singing her songs. They’re so raw but her voice is so beautiful. It was the pinnacle of storytelling as well, particularly with Fleetwood Mac. The stories and the raw emotion all intertwine.”
Rianne started busking when she was just 15 and moved on to playing in pubs and clubs when she turned 18.
“I always wanted to do music. There was never a plan B at all.”
Like many musicians, she found herself uploading songs during lockdown, not only as a creative outlet, but also to entertain her gran.
“My grandad passed away. His funeral was the day before lockdown, so my gran was in the house by herself. I started uploading videos to Facebook so she could hear me sing, just to try and keep her company and cheer her up. They started to take off, so I uploaded more covers, and they went down really well. That’s when I started to think, maybe now’s the time to throw myself into writing and become a real, legit musician.”
That decision led to a deal with an indie label.
“It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind!”
Although Rianne studied music as part of the curriculum at school, she chose not to further her education at college or university, opting to learn through experience instead.
“I never really did well in a formal education environment, my mind was always on other things. I went to college for a few months but then quit because I ended up doing proper gigs. I was always trying to see beyond the horizon. I just wanted to perform.”
As well as singing and songwriting, Rianne also plays the guitar and is currently learning the banjo. She’s also celebrating the launch of her debut album, The Consequence of Love.
“I feel like every song is born out of the consequence of love… the relationships I’ve had with family, friends, romantic relationships as well. They’ve all led me to where I am now, to actually create this album.”
The songs have all been written by Rianne, including a selection which she co-wrote with her guitarist and songwriting partner, Nathaniel Laurence. So, how would she describe the sound?
“I call myself a Scottish country-folk fairy! I’m always in a daydream and I’m really inspired by nature, especially in the Scottish Highlands, so I feel like my mind’s always away with the fairies!”
There are also touches of pop, she confirms, resulting in a combination of a variety of influences.
The lead and second single from the album is titled ‘Good and Goodbye’ which followed ‘Angel’, a song given its world premiere in August by Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2!
But that’s not the only huge achievement Rianne has celebrated this year. In July, she performed at TRNSMT, singing songs from her new album on the King Tut’s Stage.
“It was my third time at TRNSMT… it holds a special place in my heart.”
Her first appearance at the festival was in 2021 and came as a bit of a surprise.
“I got pulled in at the last minute. I was there watching The Cortinas and I got an email saying someone had pulled out of the River Stage and they needed someone to fill in. I’d never actually played a proper gig as Rianne Downey with my own songs, so TRNSMT was pretty much my first proper gig as a legit artist!”
Her second time was equally memorable but for very different reasons.
“In 2023 I got a mad opportunity. I was asked to join Paul Heaton for the summer to be his co-vocalist because Jacqui Abbott could no longer perform. One of the first gigs I did with him was on the Main Stage at TRNSMT! That was amazing.”
She’s now embarking on a tour which includes a sell-out headline gig at the Old Fruit Market in Glasgow.
“I’m excited to play the songs live because I’ve worked so hard on them. I’ve lived with them for so long and I’m excited to actually share what I’ve been working on. I think my songs come across better in real life, there’s a definite rawness to them… and the connection between two people in a room is so much stronger than listening to something on your phone. I’m really excited to connect with so many humans in one go.”
Rianne will be playing to around 400-500 people each night, increasing to 1300 at the Old Fruit Market. Presumably, she’s guaranteed a good reception in her hometown?
“It’s going to be really special. It’s the people of Glasgow that have got me to where I am today. They’ve been the ones supporting me from the very beginning. It definitely feels like it’s going to be a full circle moment and a way to pay everybody back and to celebrate with everyone… a way to say, look what we did – look what you did!”
She predicts an emotional night, but also one which leaves her audience feeling fulfilled.
“I’m going to be pouring my heart and soul into my songs. It’s a chance for so many people to connect and celebrate music in one place. And because it’s me that’s bringing everyone together, I feel very grateful. It will be a feel-good night.”
She’s come a long way since she first began experimenting with music, and she’s right to want to celebrate what she has achieved.
“I never really felt like I belonged anywhere. I always felt like the odd one out. I’d always been in a turmoil and never really knew why. Music was a way of expressing myself because I couldn’t always articulate how I felt through words.”
So, what’s next for this Scottish country-folk fairy?
“I’d love to play The Barrowlands. And I’d love to eventually make it over to Nashville to play the Grand Ole Opry. That would be a proper ‘I can die happy’ moment!”
Something tells me this super-talented fairy will get her wish.
To purchase her album, listen to her songs, or to buy tour tickets, visit
www.riannedowney.com You can also find her on all social media channels.
