First Spin
Hey, I’m Hayden Thomas—musician, lifelong music fan, and the guy who still makes mixtapes for road trips.
First Spin is my weekly interview show where I sit down with emerging artists who I genuinely believe are doing something special. You might not know their names yet, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to change that.
This show isn’t about hype. It’s about real conversations—about the first gigs, the late-night doubts, the sound that finally clicks. It’s a space for new voices to tell their stories, and for all of us to listen a little closer.
If you’re always on the hunt for the next song that’ll mean something to you—welcome. You’re in the right place.
New artists. Real stories. Weekly drops. Let’s give ‘em their first spin.
First Spin
RYLY on creative droughts, genuine fans, and the influence of The Killers.
On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Nashville-based artist Riley Smith (RYLY) to talk about the journey from Atlanta to Music City, shaping a sound that blends arena-ready indie pop/rock with songwriter roots, and what it takes to build momentum as an independent artist. We dig into writing from piano or acoustic guitar first, then “dressing up” songs in the studio, translating big arrangements to the stage (solo and with a band), and navigating the push-pull of social media while protecting your headspace.
Riley also teases new music on the way—including the forthcoming single “Somebody to Know Me”—and hints at a couple of side projects exploring different eras and flavors. If you’re into hooky melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and artists who think deeply about why the songs matter, this one’s for you.
Follow Riley and First Spin for updates—and stick around to discover a few new artists at the end.
Songs featured in this episode:
Young + Naive (I'm Addicted To My Phone And So Is Everyone Else)
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Thanks for listening—see you next week.