pt. 3: back to the start - demo

An intimate almost-a-cappella cover of The Scientist by Coldplay.
I recorded this live in one take; mostly just voice with a very minimal backing; keeping it raw and close up so it feels more like someone singing right next to you than a big studio version.

It is a little slower and softer than the original; with space left between phrases so the lyrics can really land. If you are looking for The Scientist covers; a cappella versions; stripped back Coldplay covers or vocal-led arrangements; I hope this one gives you that quiet; late-night feeling.

Recorded in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

The Scientist – Coldplay (A cappella-ish Cover by olliray) (Live)

out of sight (metal version) - coming january 2026

olliray makes emotive, cinematic music that sits between intimate piano ballads and modern electronic soundscapes. A singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from London, he blends live piano and guitar with textured production to create songs that feel close and expansive at the same time.

Alongside his original work, he records stripped-back piano and guitar covers of songs he loves. These late-night performances sit naturally beside his own writing, shaped by the same focus on atmosphere, storytelling and emotional detail.

He had a short spell of violin lessons when he was younger; everything else on piano, guitar and production is self-taught. That instinctive path runs through his music; he writes, plays and shapes his songs by ear, chasing what feels honest rather than what follows the rulebook.

His debut single BoxRox and first album Stuck in Traffic captured a raw, lyric-driven phase where he produced and sang everything himself. Between followed, pushing further into experimental electronic textures. He then released Piano for Yoga, a live, meditative piano recording created in a single continuous flow for a yoga video soundtrack.

In 2024 he returned to his roots with Lost Romance, an album built from songs written 18 years earlier and revisited with a more reflective, nostalgic perspective. It moves between gentle piano pieces and fuller arrangements, tying his early ideas to the sound he has grown into now.

He is currently working on new music that continues to blur the lines between acoustic songwriting and electronic production, always searching for the balance between warmth, space and emotional weight.

For a first listen, start with Stuck in Traffic or How Long if you want reflective, cinematic songwriting, then explore the Covers Playlist to hear his take on songs by artists he loves. Fans of Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Nick Mulvey, Coldplay and M83 may feel at home in his world.

Explore the Covers playlist, then dive into the Originals.

You can also find my music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube through the profile links below.

New tracks tagged #back to the start