A DAY IN THE LIFE: RIVER
RIVER invites us into her universe, opening up about creative freedom, her debut album A dying source and new single ‘Paradise’.
For RIVER, music is a universe of its own. One built on instinct, honesty and the freedom to do things her way. After a journey shaped by extraordinary highs and devastating lows, the Swedish artist is stepping into a new chapter with her debut album, A dying source, trading polished personas for something altogether rawer. Today, she releases her new single, ‘Paradise’, and invites us a little further into her world. We caught up with RIVER for a Day In The Life, chatting creative freedom and chasing dreams, alongside a few behind-the-scenes snaps of RIVER on set recording the music video for ‘Paradise’.
F WORD: For some people, this may be the first time they’re hearing your music. How would you introduce yourself at this point in your life?
RIVER: I would introduce RIVER as a universe where I aim to play fearlessly with musical and visual expressions. When I first created RIVER, it worked as my alter ego to help me step out of my shell and overcome my fear of following my own voice rather than what I believed was expected of me. It has helped me reach this point in my life where there is no question for me: I follow my gut and stay honest with myself and how I live. My debut album, A dying source, marks a new chapter where I am letting go of old fears and facing uncomfortable truths within myself.
F WORD: What was the biggest change you made to the album during the writing process?
RIVER: Coming from a live background, I wanted this album to feel organic, human, and built to be performed on stage. On my first EP, the songs leaned lighter and the sound was much more polished and pristine. My intention with this album was simply to make something that sounded like me, rather than trying to fit a specific mold. I didn't actually know what "me" on the inside would sound like on the outside until my producers-Johannes Henriksson, Rickard Andersson, and August Vinberg, and I slowly started unleashing what eventually became A dying source. So the biggest change was probably letting go of a polished persona and giving up the need to control the outcome beforehand. It transformed the project into something much rawer and heavier than anything I have done before.
F WORD: What do you hope listeners will take away from this album?
RIVER: I hope people really take the time to listen, not just to me, but to the music itself. This album is the result of many years of work with some truly fantastic producers and musicians, and I want their craft to be heard and appreciated. There is so much quality and heart in the instrumentation. I want the listener to feel that depth and hopefully find something in it that resonates with them. It’s not just about a message, it’s about the atmosphere we’ve built together over all this time. I want them to feel the work that went into every layer of the sound.
F WORD: If you had to choose one essential component of a great album, what would it be?
RIVER: It would be creating a universe of its own. For me, a great album requires closing out the noise of what everyone else is doing, so you can build a space that feels completely genuine and uncompromised. And to not force it.
F WORD: What advice would you give yourself for tomorrow?
RIVER: Don't take yourself too seriously.
F WORD: Fuck, marry, kill: album, EP, or single?
RIVER: Marry the album, fuck the single, kill the EP.
F WORD: The world would be better without _______.
RIVER: The world would be better without corporations killing us.
F WORD: The world would be worse without _______.
RIVER: The world would be worse without Dolly Parton.
F WORD: Do you believe in manifestation?
RIVER: I believe in manifestation, but it isn't about sitting back and wishing on a star. To me, manifestation is staying true to my dreams and putting in the work- showing up again and again, even when it sucks. And when I flop, I lie flat on the floor and wine and dine until I’ve had enough of myself. I’m surrounding my life around my dream and passion as an artist and that's the best way I know to manifest.
F WORD: What’s motivating you the most right now?
RIVER: Nothing makes me tick more than time. Posthumous success would be for the living, and I’d much prefer to blow up while I'm still alive.
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