Social media – this generation’s greatest catch-22. It connects us in a way that can make your heart sing. But when all that’s in your heart is singing, social media is now your stage. Your audience, vocal in their opinion. Fervent support and fierce criticism are just a click away.
For 22-year-old singer-songwriter Rianne Downey, it’s been a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it’s catapulted the rise of her fledgling career. On the other, it’s produced obstacles capable of wearing out even the most durable of people.
“Social media can be this terrible thing,” Downey says. “Even though it’s built me up to where I am, it’s made me miserable the full way up. It’s a very hot and cold thing, but I’m so, so grateful for it.
“I was never someone who got picked up by a big label at the start. Luck wasn’t really on my side in that sense. I really did need social media to get my name out there and build myself up.
“The talent you’ve got and the way you are with people play their part too, but if it wasn’t for social media, no one would have gotten to see that side.”
These experiences online aren’t exclusive to any one person or industry. When you’re a creative though, immersed in a sea of talented people vying to swim to the surface, the pressure is acute. Comparisons are chronic.
“You’re just constantly bombarded with people who look to be doing better than you. Social media’s an addiction, it’s all you can look at all the time.
Robyn, Logan & Wiktoria chat to Seán about social media on this episode of the
TNG Podcast.
“You wake up in the morning - you could be feeling quite positive - and the first thing you do is look on Twitter and see this person’s got put on this festival line-up or was signed by this big label and straight away, you feel like a failure. You’re just constantly comparing yourself to other people.”
Upon contacting Downey in search of this chat, a few days of radio silence ensues. The apologies are profuse and genuine when she does have the time to reply. Having told me she’s rubbish with messages, I ask if it’s part of a conscious need to switch off from the tiresome tweets on the timeline.
“I try to stay off it, which to be honest, is really, really hard. When I try to finally leave it, that’s when all the important stuff comes through,” she laughs.
“Sometimes I go on it and everything’s just a bit too much and I get overwhelmed. Even if I have the most positive messages in the world, none of that will convince me that any of its true. I feel like I can’t talk to anyone, that I’m not really worthy.
“I imagine a lot of people relate – that’s how bad it can make you feel. You just don’t want to deal with anybody. That’s how gruelling it can be.”
Thankfully, Downey has an outlet to channel these feelings, and in doing so, sounds effortlessly elegant. Just as her smooth voice soothes the soul of those listening on, comprising her thoughts into lyrical form provides the singer solace.
“During lockdown, I went through a lot of changes. I lost people and I gained people. In some ways my life was turned on its head. I felt a responsibility to step back and look at these changes and evaluate them – put them into perspective.
“I know how much music has helped me growing up, even now, so if I can give that to other people, that’s me really achieving something.
Rianne Downey features on TNG's 10 under 25 Spotify Playlist.
Although the Scottish culture of weighing others down features heavily in our conversation, Downey has hope in the nation’s collective spirit.
She may just have left her family home for the creative hub of Liverpool, but it’s clear, whether scrolling beyond the trolls or soaring beyond the stars, her heart lies in her homeland.
“I do genuinely love Scotland. I feel like when people from Scotland do make it – because we’re such a wee country and we do have this sort of slagging mindset – you always feel like you’ve defied the odds when you do something.
“I feel like you’re not just being successful for yourself, but you’re doing it for everybody. I love that clan mentality.”
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