Chick of the Week | Ria Mae

This week's chick of the week is Halifax's own Ria Mae, who has recently made a splash by releasing her latest single, "Clothes Off". Check out the new single and read what she had to say when she answered a few of EWM's questions below.

EWM: How would you describe the style of your music?

RM: I've just been calling it pop these days.. I guess there are elements of acoustic singer/songwriter, with hiphop beats. Sort of a combination of my two favourite genres..

EWM: Are there any particular people or artists who influence your music?

RM: I'm really influenced by pop music, but I grew up on pop-punk music when I was younger. I loved Green Day, Rancid, Operation Ivy etc. But I also loved Boys II Men and Tracy Chapman..The Beatles. I'm loving Sam Smith right now. His song Money on my Mind is cool. I really like the production.

EWM: What was the craziest thing that happened to you while on tour last year?

RM: I don't have too many crazy stories.. There was one show in Carrboro, North Carolina that stands out.. we opened for Melissa Ferrick and it happened to be Pride week down there. We had picketers outside the show, protesting, and it was the day that DADT was repealed in the States. After our opening set, we also were Melissa's band. She did this impromptu set and monologue about human rights…we all had chills…It was one of those moments where we felt history was being made. It was a packed room of about 300 people and everyone was crying and hugging each other. My band mate and I still talk about that show as being one of the most intense moments we were present for. I could see how powerful and important it was that Melissa played that show for those people. It was unreal. Other than that, we've had people break into our green room before, or hang around too long afterwards, but nothing too weird.

EWM: What/who are you listening to right now…4 song playlist...GO!

RM: 1 - Ryn Weaver - Promises

2 - Ryn Weaver - Stay Low

3 - Dear Rouge - I Heard I Had

4 - Bad Suns - Cardiac Arrest

EWM: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

RM: I would like to work with Rick Rubin or Linda Perry.

EWM: For all the Hali students out there - where’s your favourite going out spot in the city?

RM: I spend my time at Lion and Bright, The Company House and Freeman's. You can't go wrong in the North End!

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Find Ria's playlist in our "Playlists" section!

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