James Riley is a songwriter and performer whose music sits at the intersection of folk, soul, 

and acoustic pop — rooted in live, tactile instrumentation and led by lyrics that favour story, subtlety and poetic flair. His guitar style is percussive and rhythmic, often acting as both melody and pulse, while his voice moves between quiet intimacy and raw declaration.

Influenced by the craftsmanship of artists like Joni Mitchell, John Martyn and Sting, his songs draw on themes of heartbreak, restlessness, belief, addiction, and everyday transcendence — sometimes through clear narrative, sometimes through suggestion and texture. One song is a sea-shanty lament for a sinking relationship (Until the Current Pulls You Under); another (Penny) starts with a coin on the pavement and ends as a portrait of a woman’s life on the margins. Others explore the bittersweet pull of drink, the ache of winter, or the small, necessary acts of resilience that carry us through.

James’s debut album Transatlantica was recorded over two years in Nashville and released in 2020. When the pandemic hit, he began livestreaming rooftop concerts from his North London home, raising funds for local food banks and drawing national press attention. These sessions sparked Rooftop Assembly — a cross-genre side project that channels James’s songwriting roots, pairing them with Tottenham MC Kayes Mensah, live drums and a string quartet. Blending raw lyricism, grime rhythms and orchestral textures, their debut EP Storeys came out in 2024.

In 2025, James begins work on his second album — a collection of new songs written between London and the US, set for release in 2026. 

“A folk genius” - BBC DJ Janice Long

“It hooked us on first listen…from the harmonies to the guitar work there’s nothing to not like” - Folk Radio UK