At RIOT, music is more than just a passion—it’s the pulse of our creativity. We’ve always championed bands and artists pushing the boundaries of music and their entire package to the outside world, or, as it’s 2024, their “branding.”. One band that epitomizes this ethos is Sleep Token. Their unique branding, an intricate blend of mystique, musical innovation, and visual textures resonates deeply with us and fuels our creative vision at RIOT. The Genesis of Sleep Token Sleep Token appeared on the scene in 2016, almost out of nowhere, with their debut single, “Thread the Needle,” presenting a sound that defies conventional genres. Their music is an eclectic mix of progressive metal, ambient soundscapes, and soulful melodies that immediately captured our attention. However, it is their branding—rooted in anonymity and mystery—that truly sets them apart and aligns with our philosophy at RIOT. Sleep Token’s enigmatic presence, led by the mysterious figure known only as Vessel, involves members donning masks and robes, keeping their identities concealed and emphasizing the art over the artist. This approach isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a core element of their brand, allowing the audience to immerse themselves fully in the music and the narrative. The Mythos […]

In an epic twist of fate, today we unearthed the legendary lost archives of AltSounds, back when it was a cutting-edge music blog with a global team of writers diving deep into the world’s best talent. We grabbed the SQL database, loaded MYSQL up and started to dig into this treasure trove that includes this stellar 2013 James Blake interview, conducted by the phenomenal Margaux Knecht. RIOT collaborated directly with Margaux when she worked as a producer at our good friends Coach — she has since skyrocketed to success as an entrepreneur. Get hyped, because we’re about to drop a year’s worth of mind-blowing interviews and rare gems from the RIOT Vault. Stay tuned as we unleash the ultimate throwback, bringing the AltSounds legacy back to life! James Blake Interview: A Deep Dive into Overgrown and More, May 2013. It’s almost impossible to categorize the British singer-songwriter James Blake, much less describe his body of work to someone who is not familiar with his sound. His music has evolved so much over the past few years though, that it really would be a disservice to try do so anyways. With classical piano training, beautiful vocals, evolving sonic textures, and beats […]

At RIOT, music isn’t just in our bones; it’s the heartbeat of our creativity. From our early days in bands, producing records, to running zines, we’ve always pushed musical boundaries in the creative world. One legendary musical figure who embodies this spirit is the late Steve Albini, a legendary musician, music producer and audio engineer who died last week. This week, we re-discovered an inspiring letter he wrote to Nirvana in 1992, just before working on their iconic album, and our personal favorite “In Utero.” Albini’s Unfiltered Philosophy And His Candid Take on the Music Industry Albini’s letter, featured in Shaun Usher’s Letters of Note Substack, offers an unfiltered glimpse into his creative philosophy. Addressed to Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic, the letter is brutally honest and deeply insightful. At a time when Nirvana was at the height of their popularity, Albini’s candid advice must have been a breath of fresh air for the band amidst industry pressures. In his letter, Albini refers to industry executives as “front office bullet-heads” and cautions Nirvana against letting them interfere with their music. He emphasizes the importance of the band’s mood during recording, stating, “I have seen a direct correlation between […]

Discover the raw artistry of Ren's 'Sick Boi' in our latest RIOT journal entry. Dive into the world of audio tape revival and experience how this Welsh rapper's personal narrative is driving a resurgence of musical tangibility.