Canada Day: Langley sisters bring synergy and song together

I Found You is a fusion – a blend of country, pop, and rock that its two sibling creators – Robyn and Ryleigh Gillespie – believe could be their best work yet.

For the first time ever, the pair of Langley singing and songwriting sisters have released a song written by both of them, and they’ve spent the past month travelling Western Canada telling anyone who will listen.

One of their next stops is right here – in their hometown – when they perform this and other new Robyn & Ryleigh favourites at the JRfm Canada Day celebrations happening July 1 at the Langley Events Centre.

“We’ve been on the road around B.C. and Alberta doing a radio and concert tour, along with wrapping up the recording process for our next album,” explained Robyn, the oldest of the musical duo.

Late this spring, the sisters released I Found You to iTunes. It is the first single from their upcoming album – by the same name – which is expected to be released this fall.

Pointing specifically to this single, Ryleigh explained how they tried something new in an effort to meld her inspirations of pop and rock with Robyn’s flare for country music, to create something danceable for everyone.

“It was important to us to create something that will leave people with a smile,” Ryleigh added. “Music can make your mood go from sad to extremely happy in just one note,” and they believe it’s been accomplished with this newest piece.

This song, however, was not written exclusively by the sisters. They had some help from country music producer Chris Reardon on a recent trip to Nashville, and one thing the siblings agree on is they’re “especially proud” of the outcome.

“It has a special place in our hearts. It’s a great song for anyone to relate to – whether it’s the lyrics or the sound that’s going to hit the spot, it’s a feel-good song with a party sound,” Ryleigh said.

“This song shows off a fun, confident, and rockin’ side of the girls that some people haven’t heard before. It also brings an energy that sounds equally as strong on the radio as it does live,” said David Wills, co-founder of Raincoast Music. 

Raincoast is the “long time” management and music development label for Robyn & Ryleigh.

 This newest song has an accompanying video – much of which was filmed in their hometown of Langley. (Watch it here)

“The video was so much fun to shoot. It was awesome because we filmed most of the video in our own backyard,” said Ryleigh, who in addition to singing has also been dabbling in acting.  “The crew was absolutely amazing and we had many friends and family who helped us put it together. So it was truly an incredible team effort.”

So, overall how is the synergy between these two young sibling performers working out?

“Since our last album in 2013, we feel like the style of our songs have changed so much. Ryleigh and I have very different styles of songwriting. Ryleigh is more pop/rock and I am more country so when we mix our styles together it comes out so unique, and it’s a natural combination,” Robyn boasted to the Langley Advance.

Reflecting on their recent trip to Nashville, Robyn gushed about the experience.

“Nashville has a heartbeat of country music and creativity on every corner. The opportunity to follow our own musical dreams to Music City has inspired us in new ways and forever influenced our sound,” she said.

Consequently, there’s a promise of much more new music to come from that trip – and soon, Robyn vowed.

“Beside our new single, I Found You, we are so excited about the rest of the songs that will be on our next album,” she said.

“…we have narrowed down the song choices for the album,” Ryleigh interjected. “It was a tough decision, but also exciting and we think that our fans – new and old – will love these songs as much as we do. They’re another step forward for us. We are finishing the recording process at OCL Studios in Calgary and then returning home in time for Canada Day.”

In addition to performing in the Canada Day celebrations at the Langley Event Centre at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, they’re also performing another Canada Day show at Canada Place in Vancouver at 11:30 a.m. that same morning.

“We’re excited to see everyone there,” Robyn said, hoping all their friends and family will be in the crowd for their LEC show.

They’re also offering Lower Mainland fans another chance to see them on stage this weekend at the Golden Spike Days in Port Moody. In that case, they’re on stage at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. Other R&R performances to follow this summer will be in Abbotsford, Vancouver and North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Cowichan, Revelstoke, and Taber, Alta.

To follow the duo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, link through their website at RobynandRyleigh.com.