Podcast Title: Takin' a Walk
Host: Buzz Knight
Episode: Classic Music Saved Me Replay with The Inspirational Story of Shrimpnose
Release Date: July 13, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Takin' a Walk, hosted by Buzz Knight of iHeartPodcasts, listeners are introduced to the captivating journey of Riley Smithson, professionally known as Shrimpnose. As a producer and instrumentalist, Shrimpnose shares his inspirational story of overcoming personal challenges through the healing power of music.

Riley's Early Life and Connection with Music

Riley begins by reflecting on his early introduction to music. At the tender age of five, his father gifted him a drum kit, which became his first step into the world of music.

[04:54] Riley Smithson: "There were... I didn't have blocks or obstacles in my way when I was playing drums or playing guitar or whatever it was, which made me fall in love with that, so to speak."

Growing up in a musical household, with both parents actively involved in a band, Riley found solace and a means of communication in playing instruments—a vital outlet considering the speech impediment he developed during childhood.

Overcoming Speech Impediment through Music

Riley candidly discusses the challenges he faced due to his speech impediment, which significantly impacted his social interactions and self-esteem during his school years.

[07:13] Riley Smithson: "I was having a really hard time participating in classes and it affected my self-esteem quite a bit. It affects me ordering a cheeseburger at McDonald's. It affects dating, it affects making friends at parties or meeting people professionally at shows."

Music became his refuge, allowing him to express himself without the barriers that verbal communication imposed.

Musical Journey and Influences

As Riley delves into his musical evolution, he shares how his passion for diverse instruments and genres shaped his artistry. Despite being left-handed, he chose to play his instruments in an unconventional manner, flipping them upside down instead of investing in left-handed versions.

[09:16] Riley Smithson: "I play all my instruments backwards. It's not super common. Basically, any guitar teacher would tell you not to do that."

Riley's experimentation led him to explore various genres, from electronic to folk, and he emphasizes the importance of blending influences to create emotive and authentic music.

[16:37] Riley Smithson: "In my music, I tend to incorporate a lot of acoustic guitar, which is maybe a little untraditional for most electronic artists, but it is a very emotive instrument."

New Project: The World Pushed Against You

Riley introduces his latest project, The World Pushed Against You, marking his foray into a more dance-oriented sound while maintaining his signature emotional depth.

[18:59] Riley Smithson: "This is my first real attempt at trying to release an album that I can play out, that other DJs can play out if they want to. And I wanted it to still be authentic and still, like, emotional music and still feel like me."

One standout track, "Destroyer," featuring Gold Panda, showcases Riley's ability to push creative boundaries with its seven-minute, cerebral composition that evolves dynamically throughout.

[20:00] Riley Smithson: "It's the longest song I've ever made. It's like a natural crescendo type thing."

The Origin of 'Shrimpnose'

When asked about his unique stage name, Riley recounts a memorable moment from high school involving his eccentric friend Brandon.

[22:23] Riley Smithson: "In high school I had this really good friend, Brandon. He was a very eccentric guy. One day, as I was pretty new into producing, I was recording some clips of him to maybe use in a song. And out of nowhere he screams, 'John Shrimp Nose.' I heard it and I loved it immediately."

The name "Shrimpnose" resonated with Riley for its playful and carefree essence, embodying his approach to music and life.

Advice for Listeners

Towards the end of the episode, Riley offers empowering advice to listeners facing their own struggles:

[24:05] Riley Smithson: "Music has been one thing that I can be in control of that brings me confidence through that. The key to success is just consistency over time basically. So if you just commit yourself to something, it will reward you."

He emphasizes the importance of creating music for oneself first, which naturally resonates with others, fueling personal growth and confidence.

[25:32] Riley Smithson: "If you want confidence through music, you gotta primarily do it for yourself. You got to make what you want to hear."

Conclusion

In this inspiring episode, Takin' a Walk offers a profound look into how Riley "Shrimpnose" Smithson harnessed the transformative power of music to navigate and overcome personal adversities. His story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the universal language of music that connects and heals.

Notable Quotes:

• Riley Smithson on Music as Expression:

  [04:54] Riley Smithson: "It was always the thing that made me feel good and felt natural and was something I felt good at without having to try too hard."

• On Embracing Imperfections:

  [14:05] Riley Smithson: "We have to be a vessel for the music more than more than anything because it's really easy to get stuck and kind of hate what you're doing if it becomes more of an intellectual thing than a feeling thing."

• On Personal Growth through Music:

  [25:32] Riley Smithson: "You got to make what you want to hear. You got to know what you like and what you don't like."

This episode not only highlights Shrimpnose's musical talents but also serves as an empowering narrative for anyone seeking to find their voice and strength through creative expression.