Name: Riley Remington

Social Media Handle/Username: awstenashell

Introduce Yourself/Tell About Yourself: I’m Riley, i’m 16, i play guitar and bass, i’m transgender and i have a chronic illness, i’m currently in college but i’m trying my best to pursue music.

What Inspires You Every day? : Listening to music from the bands and musicians I’m into. Just hearing what they’ve done and how far they’ve gone reminds me that I could get that far if I try hard enough.

What is some words of wisdom you live by?: I think the phrase that sticks with me most is ‘this life is for living’ from the song Live Like We Want To by Palaye Royale. It’s so simple, but it reminds me that life is there for me to grab and take what’s mine.

What is your ultimate goal in life? : My ultimate goal? Probably to just inspire people the way the bands I listen to inspire me. I want to be able to envoke the same physical reaction I get from listening to their music onto people who want to listen to mine.

How have you been during the pandemic and how has it affected you? : I’ve been decent, I think. It’s been hard – I was diagnosed with crohn’s disease in july 2020, so it’s been an uphill push from there. I was also denied the chance to actually sit my final high school exams. It’s definitely made me look at life a lot differently though. I’m less inclined to take things for granted now.

What is a message you would like to give others? : I’d just like to remind people that no matter how hard it seems, life is your one shot. The world sucks so bad, everywhere you look there’s a bad headline. But this is one shot – don’t waste it. Try and make that change to the world. Protest, sign petitions, amplify voices. Even if it’s not on such a major scale, just wear what you want. Dye your hair, learn that instrument. Life is too short not to.

What else would you like to tell others about you or your life?: I like to think I’m pretty easy going. I’ve been in and out of hospitals a lot recently, and it’s super scary. I know it’ll be okay though. I also have three cats, and I’m really into drawing! I have an art tablet which I use religiously. When I manage to get an EP out, I’ll probably design the cover with that very tablet.