Bio

Ria is one of the most versatile musicians we have in our midst. Her high-energy performances can fire up her audience making them want to get on stage and perform with her and when she switches to her slower songs, she delivers a powerful vocal range captivating the emotion in her music and lyrics. Very well-spoken, Ria’s literary artistry and musical talent reverberate in her material and performance as she takes her audience on an unforgettable musical ride in every concert.

This sultry singer, songwriter and musician from Vancouver has a voice that reminds you of the jazz and soul eras. Her work is heavily influenced by rock music followed by 80s pop and rock, R&B, blues, and folk. Her more upbeat material is inspired mostly by DOROTHY, Bishop Briggs, and Two Feet, and her slower material is influenced by Fleetwood Mac and James Bay. 

With a growing number of followers online, Ria continues to be an active performer in the live music scene in and around Vancouver and has also traveled to Toronto, Ottawa and Victoria to perform. This young musical artist and philanthropist has shared her voice and music in places like BC’s  Rogers Arena, Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Bell Performing Arts Centre, as well as the RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa, Ontario.

Ria has just released her latest single, Good Bad Decisions. Compared to her previously released acoustic song, Sage, Good Bad Decisions “is your not-so-typical breakup song. Following my deeply personal acoustic single ‘Sage’ that displays all my vulnerability and heartbreak, this sibling rather showcases a more fiery side of overcoming heartbreak. The meaning behind an art piece, in my opinion, is all in the eye of the beholder, or rather, the ears of the beholder. While some may see this song as a sweet, upbeat story of a scorned, vengeful lover, I see this song as self empowerment after a fallout in the form of success.” 

After taking a break from 2017 to 2018 to focus on school and her health, Ria returned to the music scene in 2019 via her single, ‘Wild Things’ in support of the LGBTQ community. Her much awaited comeback was met with great reviews describing her as the ‘risen Phoenix’. 

“Marking a return to music for the Vancouver artist, her voice has never lost its spark, using the track’s narrative to bring light to (and showcase) LGBTQ acceptance. The upbeat alt-pop track has plenty of punch, a modernized retro sound that wouldn’t sound out of place on a jukebox spin – it helps that the music video is set in a local Kitsilano diner”  - The Permanent Rain Press, 2019.

Inspired and craving once again to pursue her first love (music), Ria released the all-acoustic Sage shortly after which has been her most streamed song on Spotify so far. She has definitely not lost the magic. As in a press release by Noodlehead Productions in 2019: “Ria Jade, one of Vancouver's most renowned and inspiring singers, songwriters and musicians, is excited to announce her newest original release, SAGE.” 

Ria started playing the piano at 4 years old and despite her feet barely touching the floor, performed her very first original jazz piece, ‘Who’s There’ on the piano at the BC Teacher’s Association music conference in Place des Artes, Coquitlam. A pure artist, her love for literature was evident when she started writing novels and poetry at 7 years old. With a growing passion for music and the arts, she studied classical voice at 8 years old, enroled in guitar lessons and wrote more music at 12. At 14, Ria began performing in public playing both covers and originals. She achieved early success in her young songwriting career at 14 winning the Maple Ridge Got Talent Countryfest Youth Category Award in 2012 with her original pop-rap music “Just Like You”. Ria’s musical journey gained early momentum as she made it to the Top 12 Finalists for The Next Star in 2014, was featured on One Direction’s website as one of their seven favourite covers and performed as a Top 10 Finalist for She’s The One at the RBC Bluesfest Ottawa.