If you’ve read my blog before, you’ve probably stumbled upon a Rags & Riches review or two. But how much do you really know about the Lexington, Kentucky-based duo behind “Speed of Sound,” Arival, and “Summer Nights?”
Formed in 2017, Rags & Riches is made up of brothers Tanner and Peyton Whitt. Over the course of their career, the band has released countless hit tracks, including “Speed of Sound,” their debut single that collected over 650,000 streams on Spotify and over 500,000 views on YouTube less than three months after its February 2019 release.
Rags & Riches’ latest release, “Summer Nights,” debuted today, July 17, 2020. The perfect song for the season, its instrumentals reflect a clear summer night in their echoing clarity. Booming drum beats and shimmying instrumental rhythms immediately remind me of my own favorite summer nights: Driving by the beach, salty air flowing through the windows and cooling legs roughed up by evening sand and sun. One of the most beautiful parts of “Summer Nights” is its general aesthetic, allowing the listener to experience its sound and storyline in their own way. Each person who listens will be able to connect the track to their own experiences, making it sure to be on their favorite songs list before too long.
The call-to-action chorus “Come, come, get up and dance!” is the perfect way to kick off a summer that may be different, but can still be enjoyable in many of the ways we all love.
But how did Rags & Riches come up with such a perfectly summery anthem? I got to ask Tanner a few questions related to the release.
Q&A
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the inspiration behind “Summer Nights?”
Tanner: Peyton actually started writing the song alone for fun. He showed it to myself and a friend. We loved it and said it needed to be a Rags & Riches song. We wrote it to be a carefree summer song.
Q: What does your ideal summer night look like?
Tanner: Personally, I enjoy being outside by the beach or going for a late night drive.
Q: In terms of Rags & Riches as a project, what has changed from last summer to this summer? How do you feel about it?
Tanner: Last summer, we were constantly touring with no time to spend in the studio. Our sound is always evolving, but from the very start we wanted to incorporate as many genres as possible within our music.
Our expectations are to inspire others and spread positivity. We feel that anyone who has heard our music feels that.
Q:What does your songwriting process look like? Has it changed as your sound has developed?
Tanner: The process is different every time we write. We always try different approaches to keep our sound relevant and current.
Q: What are your plans for the near future?
Tanner: In August/September, we will be joining The Extreme Tour for two weeks. During that time, we will be in Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Stay tuned for details on Rags & Riches’ end-of-summer tour and connect with them on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
Spotify
Website
Love Rags & Riches? Read more about them in When Times get Tough, Rags & Riches Reminds You: Don’t Look Down, Explore the Social Abyss with Rags & Riches’ New Single, “Blood Runs Cold”, and Best of 2019!
***Like the majority of my reviews, a submission fee was charged for this post.***
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