John Riziki
Songwriter
Bio: John Riziki is a singer-songwriter hailing from Accra, Ghana, who has called Issaquah home for more than twenty years. He was five years old when his family immigrated to the United States. First writing songs as a teenager, John is now releasing his music into the world—sharing the stories and moments that shaped him, in hopes that everyone can relate them to their own.
On choices: At age 15, John’s grandfather offered him $40 or a guitar. He opted for the guitar and proceeded to teach himself through YouTube tutorials, steering him onto his current path.
On getting unstuck: “Brandi Carlile talks about taking the time to look back at the sights and sounds that make up the person you've become over the years, and take from that. If it's serious writer block, I periodically come back to the song. I'll just sing it through, listen to different songs for inspiration, look through old lyrics.”
On his latest EP: Some of his favorite lines: I hope you know that your tears will shape you. So go ahead and cry. It’s alright. I hope you know there’s a love that don’t leave you. It’s alright.
Favorite place near Issaquah: “I'd say any nature area, like Lake Sammamish. I get 20,000 steps a day and am always moving, running, or hiking.”
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