Riley Kate is a London-based Fashion and Celebrity makeup artist who worked on ARgENTUM’s summer ‘skin’ campaign using the brand’s skincare collection and has since developed an ongoing working relationship. Usually, Riley hates all product packaging, “It’s so tacky ~ it’s like when you open your cupboard things are screaming at you ‘use me’”. So she always de-pots and decants everything into a glass jar with no label on it. She wants something based on the formula she likes, not the packaging.
But she finds our packaging chic. “So, first of all, it was like I really loved the packaging; it was really nice to have on the table when you’re getting people ready ~ it looks nice. And then also, obviously, the product is amazing. I like that you can tailor the level of shine you want for your client with the oil and the moisturiser and that it truly soaks into the skin and hydrates rather than just sitting on top of the skin.”
Riley then spoke with our founder, Joy and had a couple of fragrance readings. Her favourite is the CREATOR, so when asked to curate the JESTER Soundtrack, she thought, "So, am I a jokey person? My sister is the funny one! But maybe that means I’m upbeat. That’s how I took it. Having a 13-month-old boy, I’m definitely more playful these days, but before that, I always wanted to be older. I was a bit of a serious kid ~ I wanted to be at the adult table.”
Originally from Utah, her family moved to Las Vegas when she was seven. Raised as a Mormon, she got into a make-up school in New York when she was 16, but her parents wouldn’t sign the paperwork to let her go early. “So, as soon as I was 18, I thought I’ve got to get to New York. Then, I lived in a house with about 13 people, sleeping in bunk beds, stuffed in and excited to be there.”
When she started dating, she was desperate not to be with a Mormon boy. In the Mormon religion, girls have to marry Mormon boys, “or you drag your family down to a less desirable level of Heaven. They make it feel like if you leave, you’re basically dragging everyone else to outer darkness, AKA Spooky Mormon Hell.”
Riley struggled with some of these beliefs, but ironically, most of her family has left the Church. An upbringing somewhat similar to that described in Tara Westover’s brilliant book Educated, “but less extreme”.
The 13 tracks were more challenging to whittle down than Riley initially thought, but here is her baker’s dozen fun and funky sounds in the spirit of the JESTER. All of these songs take her back to a happy time…
If You Don’t Want My Love ~ Jalen Ngonda
I remember hearing this on TikTok for the first time, and I thought it sounded like a song I’d known for years. It was reminiscent of Otis Redding and Jackie Wilson, with general old-soul vibes, which I love. So, at first, I thought it was an older song, but then I looked it up and saw that this is a new artist. It’s a fun, funky song. I feel good when I listen to it.
Scream (Funk My Life Up) ~ Paolo Nutini
When I first moved to New York in 2016, this became my staple as I walked around the city, thinking I’d finally made it to New York. It’s an excellent, feel-good, going-out Friday night kinda song.
Beautiful Escape ~ Tom Misch, Zak Abel
I’ve never been to Australia, but I imagine driving down the Great Ocean Road and listening to this song in a convertible. That’s where it takes me. I’m not sure why it’s Australia in my mind ~ some kind of escape, I guess. That was the year I met my husband, and I remember listening to this song a bunch.
Didn’t Cha Know ~ Erykah Badu
I just love this song ~ it’s nice on a walk. That’s my peace these days. If I can get to the park with the baby and the dog. Once I get to Kensington Gardens, it’s like headphones in, and the baby’s asleep ~ a couple of minutes to listen to my own music.
Losing You ~ Solange
Beyonce’s sister... This song takes me back to New York; it’s definitely my New York anthem. When I stopped practising Mormonism and lived in New York, it was a bit of a discovery song about myself. It was very freeing.
If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be) ~ Leon Bridges
I discovered him in 2015 when I lived in Houston, working in a law firm trying to save enough money to move to New York. I used to try to go to all of his concerts, but no one wanted to go with me. Now he’s massive, and I’m like, “See, you should all have been dying to go with me!” I like his soulfulness. He reminds me a lot of Sam Cooke. There’s a lot of playfulness in this song.
Always Alright ~ Alabama Shakes
This takes me back to my American roots. It’s a nice song when I’m in England. I don’t miss America often, especially with all the political stuff at the moment. But every once in a while… it’s like a specific set of Americans get me more than the Brits. Sometimes, I miss American humour, although I will say British humour is better.
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You ~ Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
This one embodies the playfulness and funkiness of the JESTER.
Valerie ~ Remix featuring Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
This is the remix, and dare I say, it’s even better than the original. It’s from the film 27 Dresses, a Rom-Com and fun Chick Flick. I absolutely love that movie, and my mom and I used to get the biggest kick out of watching it on Friday nights.
Lovely Day ~ Bill Withers
If I’m ever having a bad day, this song just turns everything around. I think it’s time to get outside and put on this song. Even if it’s raining, drizzly ~ typical English weather ~ just to get out for an hour.
Coming Home ~ Leon Bridges
This is from the first album he released. This reminds me of coming home, whether it’s a feeling or a place you want to go back to. It always feels good to come home. When I first heard this song, I wanted a partner, and this song had that feeling ~ of this is what it’s going to feel like when I have a partner.
VIRGO’S GROOVE ~ Beyonce
I think everything Beyonce does is amazing, and I’m so glad she’s finally won her well-deserved Grammy. This is one of her more funky songs. Many of her songs are feel-good songs, but many are break-up songs. This is not too much ‘I hate men’! If my husband ever makes me cross, I put on Beyonce, and it’s like headphones on at the gym and at the end of the workout, I’ve worked through it, and I think, ‘Ah, he’s not so bad ~ I’m fine’.
Squeeze Me ~ Kraak & Smaak, Ben Westbeech
This is another one from a dance movie, Step Up. It's a hip-hop movie about people doing breakdancing. I can’t dance to save my life, but always enjoy watching others dance. So this is like a song I listened to growing up ~ a happy-go-lucky kind of song. The chorus is better than the rest of it, though! The chorus really hits.
Listen to the JESTER Soundtrack, curated by Riley Kate:
