Under the Bucket Hat: A Conversation with CYRIL
Cyril Riley, better known as CYRIL, has been making serious noise in the music industry with his lethal remixes and collaborations that have skyrocketed him up the charts. Like any determined artist, his rise to fame wasn’t overnight—it’s the result of countless hours in the studio, overcoming personal turmoil, and undeniable talent that has captured the attention of listeners worldwide. From dominating the ARIA Top 10 Australian Singles Chart for over ten consecutive weeks with his viral hit "Stumblin’ In" to earning millions of streams for his remix of Disturbed's "The Sound of Silence," CYRIL has become a sought-after name on any lineup or track. Amassing over 250 million streams and working with big-league artists like Timmy Trumpet and Steve Aoki, his knack for blending classic influences with modern electronic beats has set him apart.
In this exclusive interview, CYRIL opens up about his journey from a small-town kid to an internationally recognized DJ and producer. He sheds light on his production process, shares valuable lessons from his collaborations, and discusses the personal challenges he overcame before making it to the top. With aspirations that extend beyond his current success, CYRIL offers a glimpse into the future of his career, where his youthful curiosity continues to fuel his passion for music. Dive into our conversation with this rising star to learn more about the experiences shaping his trajectory and what’s next on his journey.
What initially drew you to music, and how did you decide to pursue it professionally?
Growing up in a town of only 125 people, we had a pub that would have a live musician regularly, so as a kid, my dad would take me there, and I just remember being intrigued from then, thinking this is what I want to do. I want to make music and perform.
Can you tell us more about your experience growing up in a small town and how it influenced your music style?
Growing up there, everyone would listen to older music, so people like Elvis or Johnny Cash, which is very different from what I’m doing, but "Stumblin’ In" was in that era, so I’m constantly drawing influences from then, whether it's songs to remix or certain elements or sounds.
You’ve collaborated with some big names in the industry. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from these experiences?
You’ll have highs and lows, but as long as you keep showing up and are consistent, the highs will continue to come.
What’s the creative process like when you’re working on a remix versus an original track?
The process is quite similar. I’ll listen to an already-made song, and my brain will start to think of what if I did this or tried that. Then, an original depends on whether I have a vocal to work with or am writing an instrumental from scratch. If I’m writing an instrumental first, I like to listen to a heap of music I’m vibing to at the moment and the different sounds they’ve used, how they’ve blended them so well, and yeah.
Is there a genre or artist you haven’t worked with yet but would love to explore in the future?
This is so hard; there are so many. Growing up, I loved rock and alternative music, so someone like AC/DC or Mötley Crüe would be insane. From an electronic side, I would love to work with Fred Again or Martin Garrix; they're two artists I've always respected.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to create new music, especially after achieving significant milestones?
People tell me, "Oh, you’re killing it now," but I just think I’m getting started. The easy part was that big song. Now it’s about, "Okay, how can my music reach more people? How can I play the best shows in the world and connect with people?"
What role do you think your First Nations heritage plays in your music, if at all?
In terms of influence on my music, I wouldn’t say it plays any part. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate it; it’s just not something I’ve fully explored yet, and I would definitely love to incorporate some with the right record.
What’s a typical day like for you when you’re not on tour or in the studio?
They don’t really exist. If I’m not touring, I’m making music, and if I’m not touring or making music, I’d just be spending time with my family. My son’s nearly 12 months old, so I love playing with him.
If you could perform at any venue or festival in the world, where would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to play Ultra Miami. When I started to get into dance music, I would watch all their streams on YouTube and think I’d love to play there one day.
What’s the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Oh, this is a tough one. Working with Teddy Swims was pretty crazy, not for the fact that he’s so talented, but just having a conversation around his thought process and how normal someone of that profile is.
If you weren’t a musician, what do you think you’d be doing right now?
This might sound crazy, but I’d be a farmer shearing sheep. Very country-Australian of me, haha.
What’s something normal to you that other people find weird?
Well, this depends on what country I’m in, but I love Vegemite, and I've yet to meet anyone outside of Australia who actually likes it. I was talking to Morten at Tomorrowland about Vegemite, and he hated it!
What Aussie terms do you find yourself saying the most?
"We’re not here to f**k spiders," which is a fun way of saying I’m here to get this done and not waste time.
Name three headliners you would have if you could throw your own festival.
I’ll go with three that are alive:
