Riley Armstrong (musician)

Riley Armstrong is a Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter from the hamlet of Dapp, Alberta, Canada. His live performances have been described as innovative, engaging, funny and surprising. Musically his work is eclectic, combining acoustic guitar and hip-hop rhythms, with layers of sound supported by sampling and programmed loops. A few of his notable songs are "Sleep", ">" (Greater Than), "What I Found", and "The Only".

Riley Armstrong
Riley Armstrong at RUSH 2013
Background information
Also known asPlain Edson
Born (1976-05-20) May 20, 1976
Dapp, Alberta, Canada
OriginCalgary, Alberta
GenresContemporary Christian, folk
Occupation(s)singer, songwriter, engineer, producer
Instrumentsacoustic guitar, looping device, vocals
Years active1998–present
LabelsFlicker Records, 7Spin Music, Independent
Websitewww.rileyarmstrong.com

Musical career

Riley Armstrong moved to Vancouver at the age of 18 to pursue a career in music.[1] He earned a degree in sound recording[2] and soon became the sound engineer for the Christian rock band Hokus Pick.[3] Armstrong was the engineer on the 1997 Hokus Pick album Snappy. A year later he released his own independent effort Novel Reason under the pseudonym Plain Edson.

Riley persuaded the members of Hokus Pick to let him be their opening act, as well as being their sound engineer.[3] While in Nashville on a Hokus Pick tour he befriended the members of the Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline. Soon thereafter three members of Audio Adrenaline founded a new record company. Riley was invited to be the first performer to release on their Flicker Records label.[3][4]

He then moved from Vancouver to Nashville, where he spent the next five years.[5] Riley Armstrong became the opening act for Audio Adrenaline.[4] During this period he released a follow up album, Whatever the Weather. Armstrong then asked to be released from Flicker Records and returned to Canada. Marriage followed, with the couple settling in Calgary. Riley and his wife Shannon have one son, Zeffren, who was born in 2005. Also that year Riley released the album La Loop on the 7 Spin Music indie label. His band members were Rick Enns on bass, Dan Kim on guitar and Jared Falk on drums.[6]

During 2010 Riley Armstrong toured in the U.S. during which time he also opened for Starfield during their "The Saving One" tour.

Discography

Albums
  • Novel Reason (Independent, 1998) (as Plain Edson)
  • Riley Armstrong (Flicker Records, 2000, reviews[4][7])
  • Whatever the Weather (Flicker Records, 2002, reviews[8][9])
  • La Loop (7 Spin Music, 2005, review[10])
  • Alive and Acoustic (2007, live concert CD/DVD)
  • Comedy Songs (2010, EP)

Songs on compilations

Video
  • Not From These Here Parts (2003)

Awards and recognition
Shai Awards (formerly The Vibe Awards)
  • 2003 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year
  • 2004 nominee, Male Vocalist of the Year

Collaborations and other credits

References
  1. Banister, Eric. "(News) biography – riley armstrong". The Unofficial Riley Armstrong Website. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  2. Pollard, Kevin (September 2003). "(Review) Riley Armstrong: Whatever the Weather". Canadian Christianity. Archived from the original on June 29, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  3. Williams, Eve (May–June 2000). "(News) Riley Armstrong sports a humble 'tude". Living Light News. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  4. Pollard, Kevin (June 2000). "(Review) Riley Armstrong: Riley Armstrong". Canadian Christianity. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  5. "(News) Riley Armstrong". 7 Spin Music. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  6. "(Artist) Riley Armstrong". The Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  7. Goodge, Mark (August 1, 2000). "(Review) Riley Armstrong". CrossRhythms (UK). Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  8. Argyrakis, Andy. "(Review) Whatever the Weather". Christianity Today. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  9. Pollard, Kevin (September 2003). "(Review) Riley Armstrong: Whatever the Weather". Canadian Christianity. Archived from the original on June 29, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  10. DiBiase, John (June 15, 2005). "(Review) La Loop". The Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  11. "(Credits) Riley Armstrong". AllMusic. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  12. Pollard, Kevin (September 2003). "(Review) Toby Penner: The Late Show". Canadian Christianity. Archived from the original on June 29, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
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