River Westin doesn’t have much about himself on the Internet, but that’s probably because he lets his music speak for itself. Steeped in the vulnerability and opulence of ’60s pop, the queer singer-songwriter croons tales of love and heartbreak that represents people whose stories could not be told in the genre’s heyday. Westin’s new single “Old Love” was released by popular demand, a tapestry of retro sounds that make a tale as old as time feel fresh.
“This song was a study of early 1960s songwriting for me,” Westin explains. “I tried evoking authentic melodies that could be sung by my favorite crooners like Ricky Nelson or Bobby Vinton. This soft, super romantic, lush orchestral pop track was the result. The lyrics discuss a relationship with someone who has an old ex that left them insecure & wounded, and guaranteeing that won’t happen again. I had fans vote for my new single based on snippets on new tracks and this song won.”
Who are some of your musical influences?
I am a bit obsessed with the early sixties. I love vintage pop crooners like Ricky Nelson, Bobby Vinton, Del Shannon, and Bobby Rydell. I love the super romantic vibe of that era and the jazzy orchestral elements in production during that time. In terms of music today, my songwriting heroes are Brandon Flowers and Lana Del Rey.
Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
I cannot stop listening to Abba’s new album since its release last year! Listening to their music has always felt like getting a free masterclass in crafting perfect pop records.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
I may have a few words, a title, or a phrase I know I want to work with but typically it’s the vocal melody first. Then the music, and then lyrics last. Even when just listening to music though, the vocal melody and overall soundscape are the first things that strike me and make me fall in love with a song so that’s usually where I start.
Where are some places you’ve found joy within the country/Americana world?
For me a huge joy in this space has been seeing Orville Peck blow up over the past couple years. I was such a fan right from his first couple releases and to see such an original, insanely creative country act be so unapologetically queer has been inspiring.
How do you feel your queer identity ties into your performance style or music?
I think it’s just such a foundation of my songwriting that is always felt. I reference a lot of past eras with my sound and image that weren’t the best times to be gay but to tell LGBTQ+ stories with those sounds feels empowering in a way. I’ve also made so many connections with other queer indie artists so it’s great to be in such a supportive community where we can try to uplift each other and share each other’s music