Rising Stars: Meet Katie Domschke Becca Richardson of East Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Domschke Becca Richardson.

Hi Katie Domschke, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Becca and Katie first crossed paths in a local songwriting group called The Pizza Collective, whose only membership requirement was submitting a song a week to the group. For nearly two years, they honed their songwriting skills through keen creative discipline, rarely missing a week. During that time, they occasionally collaborated on each other’s solo projects, building a natural musical chemistry. Eventually, both began to feel the pressure of carrying their respective bands as the sole songwriters. That shared experience led Katie to ask Becca to join her band, Riley Parker, marking a new era for the band. The duo is currently working on their debut full-length album, set for release in late Fall 2025.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road! Before teaming up, we were both carrying the full creative weight of our own projects—writing the songs, making all the decisions, keeping the momentum going. That kind of pressure can start to chip away at the joy of making music. It’s isolating, and over time, it made the process feel more like a burden than a passion. We really started to miss what we had in The Pizza Collective—that sense of community and the creative back-and-forth with like minded artists. That space reminded us how important collaboration is—not just for the music itself, but for staying connected to why we started writing in the first place. So while the path hasn’t been easy, the struggles ultimately pushed us toward each other and helped us find a way of working that feels more sustainable, inspired, and human.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We’re an alternative/indie duo focused on songwriting that’s honest and rooted in strong melodies and harmonies. We write everything together, and collaboration is at the core of what we do. Each song starts with a conversation—usually about something we’re working through personally—and grows from there.

What sets us apart is the way we approach songwriting—not just as a creative outlet, but as a practice in community and connection. We’re most proud of the space we’ve built together: one where we can be honest, take risks, and let the songs lead. It’s not about chasing a certain sound or trend—it’s about making something that feels true, and letting that resonate.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
We find happiness in the small moments: writing sessions that turn into therapy, quiet magic that happens when we’re writing together and suddenly stumble into the perfect sound or lyric, but mostly doing Tim Robinson impressions in recording sessions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rileyparker.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rileyparkermusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rileyparkerband