At just nineteen, Owen Rivera has already spent a lifetime in music. Discovered by NAMM at age four, he’s since shared stages and studios with the likes of Mavis Staples, Jason Mraz, and Graham Nash, built a career as a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter, and even landed voice acting credits on shows like The Loud House and Super Wings. Now signed to Curb Records, he’s stepping into a new chapter with his latest single, ‘LaiLuv’, a breezy, golden-hour ode to summer love written by GRAMMY-winning producer Michael Lloyd and Emmy winner Greg O’Connor.
We sat down with Owen to talk about the story behind “LaiLuv,” his earliest memories of songwriting, the artists who shaped his sound, and what he’s got cooking next.
For anyone discovering you for the first time through ‘LaiLuv’, who is Owen Rivera, in your own words?
That is always such a tough question for me. Simply put, I am a musician. Music has been my passion since I was born. I love writing, recording, and performing for people. I am a proud Puerto Rican who loves my family, my pups, and Futbol!
What does ‘LaiLuv’ mean to you?
Lailuv is a feeling… the way I feel love oughta be…I haven’t found her yet, but when I do… Lailuv expresses how I know I will feel about her.
What do you hope people feel, specifically, when ‘LaiLuv’ comes on?
Lailuv is all about summer love, warm nights, golden hour, and that feeling you wish you could stay in a little longer. I hope people reminisce about all the best moments of their past summers when they hear Lailuv come on.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you right now?
Right now, it’s a flurry of ideas followed by hours and hours of recording to find the right parts that give the song I’m working on what it needs. I’ll start off with an acoustic guitar or drums, depending on what the song I’m creating calls for, then build it from there. Every song is unique and follows a different journey. The key for me is to be in the studio and create constantly. It’s definitely my happy place.
Who were the artists you grew up listening to, and which of them still influence what you make today?
Oh, there were so many, ranging from lots of Latin to R&B, singer-songwriters, soul, rock, rap, and grunge. I grew up with a very diverse cast of artists, but some I still pull from include Santana, Celia Cruz, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Supertramp, The Temptations, Chicago, El Gran Combo, everything from Stax Records, and yes, even the Beastie Boys.
What’s the hardest part of being a musician that people on the outside never really see?
I would say being vulnerable. When you write or perform any new song, you are sharing a piece of yourself with the world. You have to let yourself be vulnerable, and that can be tough. I do believe that the more honest your music is, though, the more people will connect with it.
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? What was it about?
I do! I was 7 years old and working with the amazing Kevin Gruft, who was actually recently nominated for a Grammy Award! Kevin, his now wife Agina Alvarez (my music mama), and I worked together to take my writings and ideas about trying to make sense of love, war, and peace, and created an album. It was such a fun project that even led to us working with Grammy Award Winner Eric Seats and The LA Inner City Gospel Choir. What an experience at 7 years old. We even worked at the studios right off Hollywood Blvd at Musicians Institute (Thanks, Stacie). It was awesome!
What does a live Owen Rivera show look and sound like right now, and how does that compare to the studio version of your music?
I feel like in the studio it’s all about the creative process and being a perfectionist with what I am trying to achieve. It’s all about the business and the focus of creating. But…when I perform live, it’s all about taking that hard work and turning it into storytelling. I want each audience member to feel like I am only performing for them. Like, there is no one else in the room.
What are your next plans?
I am always creating in my mind; it never rests. My Latin Music is on its way, as well as some new record releases. I also have some collab projects in the works with multiple Grammy Award Winners. Wherever music takes me, I’ll follow, and I can’t wait to see where my music journey goes next.