W: Peter James May I: Romarni 3

"A rom-com blockbuster-esque single that continues bold new beginnings for daydreamers."

London alt/indie-pop quartet daydreamers return with pure optimism on their rom-com blockbuster-esque new single, ‘She Is A Time I’m Living In’. 
It continues bold new beginnings for daydreamers, following on from their previous anthemic, hook-driven track ‘Good Intentions’.

ASBO caught up with writer, producer and vocalist, Riley, and asked 10 probing questions.
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1. For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?

Sad Euphoria. Real instruments, real songs and a real community around it where we all connect with the same little view of the world. 

2. Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?

I’ve always felt most at peace with songs that comfort you on headphones but beg to be screamed out loud live. So I feel the lyrical nature of what’s written on the upcoming songs and album kind of comes from this place of loneliness, isolation and wanting to connect with people – and then what we do as a group live encompasses this real feeling of all of us being in it all together, us and the audience. I think the true meaning behind it all is connection; and hopefully our fans feel that at the shows we do.

3: Is there a story behind the new single  ‘She Is A Time I’m Living In’?

The whole upcoming album was written in this little single room in a shared house in Cheshunt. It’s apparently one of the top 20 worst places to live (I didn’t think it was that bad though, if you’re from Cheshunt). I think that sets the tone of the album, but 'She Is A Time I'm Living In' was the last song I wrote and it comes from this feeling of pure hope. I remember hearing somewhere a discussion on religion, and somebody said “God is more like a time we are living in” - for some reason that really stuck with me, and then I met somebody and that phrase ‘she is a time I'm living in’ resonated. It felt like falling in love, obsession, desperation but in an all encompassing and safe way. So I guess the song came from that feeling.

4.What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist is ?

I think the strength of any artist comes from how they make their audience feel. When I think of our strengths, I think of meeting people after shows and chatting to them about the music and what it means to us all. It feels like we’re making people more connected, less lonely, and part of something. That’s what it’s all about.

5. What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist is ?  

I can’t juggle very well.

6. What music artist/band would you say have influenced your work? 

So many, and it’s constantly changing. When we started the band, Bleachers were a huge influence – Jack Antonoff inspired me with what a modern band could sound and feel like. Radiohead were the band I grew up loving, and their ability to develop themselves throughout their career and take their audience with them is inspiring. Right now I adore Jay Som’s album ‘Belong’ – it feels a little emo, bedroom-y and really authentic sounding. I love that album right now.

7.  What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?

All of this album was written before we released our first single, 'Call Me Up'. We’d been playing shows, and nothing was happening. We even did a showcase for a label, and for me I was pinning all my hopes on finally getting out of this shitty situation I was in, working multiple jobs and trying to make a living out of music. All of these songs came pouring out during that period, and when I reflect on it writing this body of work it was really the thing that got me out of it all. We played more shows, went viral and ended up getting signed. So I could finally move out. But the songs really feel like this extract from my life where I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I found comfort in making the music.

8.  What is your creative process when making music?

 Every time it’s completely different. I’ve recently started trying to write more whilst I’m on the move, and I find staying in the same place quite stifling. Sketching ideas on logic, or voice noting acoustic guitar ideas. I love making worlds though, and I already have the next album title and a few other future contenders. Although I'm not sure on being as rigid as releasing a concept album, I feel like all great albums have a few themes running through them. I guess to me art that I love points you towards a feeling, without waving it’s arms and saying “Hey please feel this!”. That’s the goal every 9. time, and every time it’s discovering it in a new way.

9. What can we expect from you in 2026?

The first ever daydreamers album, a headline tour, and hopefully a few more surprises.

10. As we incorporate fashion into the magazine, what is your favourite item of clothing?

I’ve got this black leather jacket from a vintage store in London I bought maybe 2 years ago. The first time I wore it properly was recording a video for ‘Call Me Up’ (our first single). It went viral, and I still am convinced that jacket was a big part of it. That and I changed my hairstyle on the same day (big shout out to my barber Ryan!!).

Mining inspiration from the likes of The Cure, Blur, Fleetwood Mac and Bleachers (plus enjoying music by the likes of Djo and Role Model today), the group’s signature style took shape honed by energetic live shows and marathon studio sessions. Having now amassed over 20 million streams to date, the band prepares to open their next chapter... one that embraces every possibility.  ASBO looks forward to hearing much more.

"‘She Is A Time I’m Living In’ comes from this feeling of pure hope."

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