Bedroom demos and daydreams have turned into sold out shows and rapidly disappearing vinyl runs for the sensational Rianne Downey, entering the warm summer months with her third single, Do Or Die. Coming from the same ‘sink or swim’ burst of creativity as when the 21-year-old faced the bleak reality of Covid’s shutdowns, the track is a countrified, honey-voiced note to self and an intended source of strength for every soul that finds themselves lost once in a while.
Downey’s debut, ‘hometown’ show at Glasgow’s legendary King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (Fri 24 September) sold out in quick order, establishing the young, gifted former busker and queen of the ‘indie socials’ as a new voice to reckon with. Her debut, vinyl Fuel To The Flame EP, released on special edition red and marble black plastic, has also ascended to collectors’ item status, selling out rapidly to knowing new music fans.
Similar to previous singles, the BBC Radio 2-supported, Stand My Ground, and Fuel To The Flame, given airplay by BBC 6 Music, Do Or Die finds Downey wearing her influences on her sleeve, in thrall as she has always been to the towering talents of Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline. Worked through the filter of her Bellshill upbringing and a pure and unending love of Amy Winehouse, The Specials and indie-titans like Stone Roses, the result evokes the glacial cool of First Aid Kit and refined confidence of Taylor Swift.
She says: “Why wait for tomorrow? There’s been times when I have really wanted to do this, but not wanted to fail. At the end of the day, there’s no option but to. ‘Do Or Die’ is about getting to the point of trying. Now is always the right time.”
