Rags and Riches are back with a new summer single for one of the strangest summers in recent human history, but they do a great job to remind us to take our minds off of things. With their hi-fi pop meets boom-bap hip-hop groove sound, Rags and Riches offer up not only a fantastic chorus hook on "Summer Nights" but great production that proves they have staying power for whatever they do next.
Energetic guitars drive the track forward as Tanner Whitt's soaring vocals get us excited for the summer nights that are still left yet this year, this is truly a great pump up track. Below is our interview with the duo, along with their new single "Summer Nights"!
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Peyton Whitt - Producer/Drummer
Tanner Whitt - Vocals/Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Rags and Riches? How long has the band been around?
We were both in a band called Radiant Union from 2013-2016.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
We started writing in 2017 and had no name for this project. RAGS AND RICHES came from when Peyton and I (Tanner) were working at a local rug cleaning business. We were out driving around, trying to come up with a name for this band. We wanted something that represented everyone as equal, no matter what walk of life they came from whether that be wealth or poverty. That’s when I blurted out, “what about RAGS AND RICHES?”. We both knew that was the perfect fit for this band.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Peyton and I (Tanner) both write the songs. There may be times where myself or Peyton has a song lyrically finished, but we always come together to perfect it.
A lot of the topics for the songs come from us wanting to spread positivity. So anything along those lines to inspire people to do the most with the time they are given. We both have plans of letting the music style and lyric style to change continuously, similar to what Queen was able to achieve.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We have been extremely inspired by Twenty One Pilots, Imagine Dragons, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and X Ambassadors. Along with other artists such as Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and Jon Bellion.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I can say for myself that I was watching Thirty Seconds to Mars perform at Rock Am Ring in 2010 on AXS TV. The way he was with the crowd and his performance was truly inspiring. I loved the wildness of it all, that definitely inspired me to perform at a higher standard most certainly.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Normally before I go on stage, I get my circulation going by doing jumps and pulling my legs up to my chest repetitively. I also will hype myself up within my head by saying motivational things.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
We won $10,000 by winning the 2019 Cincinnati, Ohio Battle of the Bands Contest. We competed against 25+ bands in multiple rounds.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
I would say it would be between Queen, Twenty One Pilots, or Kanye West. I know those are all very different stylistically from each other, but they each put on some of the best performances of all time. Each would fit well with our style of show.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We plan on releasing more music during the remainder of 2020. Stay in touch by following us on our socials.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ragsandrichesmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragsandrichesmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_ragsandriches
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGQmlljdoIB38zgEuXcCkw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7mVlCjxLHAv9sO79hRP0hB
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rags-and-riches/1449514922