MODERN DAY LEPER
Modern Day Leper is an Australian indie-pop duo creating original music that shines a light on the human experience and the social issues that shape our world.
RILEY NORTON
Riley Norton is an Australian composer, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist who believes music has the power to heal, connect, and transform lives. As co-founder of Modern Day Leper, Riley creates music from a place of authenticity, emotion, and spontaneity. A unique aspect of his creative process is that every Modern Day Leper song has been written and composed through free-flow creation, developing naturally from start to finish in the moment rather than being carefully pre-planned. This approach allows the music to capture genuine emotion and raw human experience. Riley is a strong advocate for the therapeutic value of music and believes it can create positive change in the lives of those it touches. Through songwriting and performance, he aims to foster connection, self-reflection, and hope, creating music that resonates long after the final note has faded.
SHELL SMITH
Shell Smith is an Australian composer, keyboardist, and vocalist whose music is shaped by resilience, healing, and the unwavering belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Having overcome addiction and survived both domestic violence and sexual assault, Shell has used music as a powerful tool for recovery, self-expression, and reclaiming her voice. Through songwriting and performance, she transformed her pain into purpose, taking back control of her life and inspiring others to do the same. As a founding member of Modern Day Leper, Shell's compositions form the emotional heartbeat of the band's music. She is the writer behind I Am Human, one of the band's most empowering songs, which serves as a reminder of the worth, strength, and humanity that exists within us all. Today, Shell hopes to be a light for those who have experienced trauma, abuse, or hardship. Through her music, she stands alongside the unheard, offering hope, understanding, and a voice for those who feel they have lost their own.
