Payton Riley

Texas grit meets pop-rock rebellion in Payton Riley. Raised in Montgomery, Texas, the singer-songwriter blends sharp hooks, diary-page honesty, and a little attitude into a sound she calls “Punktry.” Inspired by Avril Lavigne, Paramore, and Miranda Lambert, she writes about heartbreak, growing up, finding your voice, and refusing to shrink to fit someone else’s expectations. From the vulnerability of “INK” and “Blue” to the dreamy, long-distance longing of “Star Girl,” Payton turns personal experiences into songs that invite listeners to see themselves in the lyrics. Her music makes room for both the soft heart and the loud opinion. A two-time Texas Country Music Association Young Artist of the Year, Josie Music Award winner, and 2025 Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival Youth Competition winner, Payton has taken her songs from Texas stages to tours across the UK and Ireland. Whether she’s telling the story behind a song with an acoustic guitar or turning it up with her full band, her mission stays the same: make people feel seen and brave enough to be themselves. Latest releases: Rainmaker Star Girl