About Philip Riley and Jayne Elleson

About Philip Riley

Philip was born on Tyneside, England and spent most of his school years in York. Involved in music from an early age, he started in bands at age 15, initially as a guitarist and then as a drummer. Riley had some formal piano training although in his own words "I must have driven my old teacher crazy. I was always more fascinated by what I could find myself, which my teacher saw as a curse, but has since proved a blessing". He also had two years formal drum and percussion training. Most of his skills in arranging and producing are self-taught.

After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biochemistry (Manchester), Riley started as a brewer and plant chemist for a New Zealand company. He then completed a teaching diploma and started teaching biology, science, and music while playing in bands in his spare time.

The move into the recording industry followed his growing fascination with synthesizers and the technology of recording. Eventually he resigned from teaching to set up his own commercial recording studio - Life of Riley Studios.

When asked about his musical influences the list is long and eclectic, from Elbow and Coldplay through to Alison Krauss and Bonnie Raitt.

He describes himself as, "an unusual blend of the romantic and the hopelessly sensible - probably the combination that allows me to start albums from a kernel of inspiration and go on to finish them 6 to 9 months later in a mass of practical, tightly arranged detail."

Philip lives with his family in New Zealand where he continues to produce albums for artists, lectures on MIDI, composes for TV and records and edits for projects as diverse as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and children's music for schools. "Every day is different musically, so it's a wonderful life".

Riley has worked with acclaimed vocalist Jayne Elleson for a number of years and their distinctive Celtic crossover music has been heard on albums around the world. Jayne's beautiful vocals combined with thoughtful, well crafted lyrics create an atmospheric and ethereal landscape. Their music is truly emotive. Strathan Music are proud to represent their album 'Rituals' which is now available to buy in digital format. 

Services offered by Philip Riley

Philip is happy to consider most types of music related projects including composing songs for adverts, films and artists. Please Contact Us if you would like to discuss the possibility of him working on your project.

About Jayne Elleson

Jayne was born in Feilding, New Zealand. She showed musical talent from the age of four when she began playing the piano by ear. She has been singing solo since she was 8 years old but didn't start serious training until the age of 13 when an injury cut short a very promising career as a gymnast. She threw herself into operatic voice training, loving the new languages and the theatre of performing arias, madrigals and close harmony works.

She is very eclectic in her musical tastes, citing Billy Holliday, Pat Benatar and Enya as some of her influences over the years. Elleson would probably describe herself first and foremost as a 'rock chick', having fronted bands long before she was legally entitled to attend her own gigs. The beautiful, ethereal vocal styling for which she has become so well known are probably a reflection of the more spiritual, emotional side to her character.

Jayne has also worked with Philip Riley on a number of Celtic crossover albums over the years including their latest, 'Rituals', which is represented for the world by Strathan Music.

Elleson is a respected session vocalist and has provided vocals for various award-winning advertising campaigns which have gone on to win two Clio Awards (Gold) in New York, a Silver London International Advertising Award and Bronze and Silver Axis awards in New Zealand.

She moved to Australia in 2000 where she lives with her family.