REYA took the time out to answer our questions about her music, and we love it! Let’s see what she has to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
My name is Reya.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
My family is incredibly musical, my brother is a drummer, my mom almost has perfect pitch and my dad used to play trombone in a jazz band. I only loved to listen to it, but it wasn’t until I was 15 that I picked up an instrument, a little ukulele. I played so much that I broke a string, so my dad took me to a Music Store where he got me my first guitar, to keep this little spark going. That little spark grew into wanting to write my own songs, to learning how to produce them since there were no producers around my area.
How would you describe your sound?
Pop with a dark Latin twist.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Billie Eilish, the lyrics are so clever and incredibly contrast her soft way of singing. Together with how Finneas produces and creates instruments out of everyday sounds that one wouldn’t usually do. There’s such a personal touch to their art that really inspires me.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Ice cream man, by Raye. Gets me every time, currently crying on the tube to it.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Mainly Spotify radio when I’m in the gym, that’s usually the main space I’ll have time to listen to some new music.
Who is your dream producer?
This is such a difficult question, so I’ll give you three; Finneas, his style is so incredibly intuitive and true to the lyrics, as if the production is mainly an extension of the lyrics. Then Timbaland because everything he touches turns to gold, his beats are like no other. They’re so sharp but warm and present. Then Pharrell Williams, the man is a genius, he takes things into a direction I think is quite unpredictable yet so satisfying.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Raye, her lyrics are incredible. She tells stories in a way that’s so captivating and exciting. I could listen to her talk about her groceries all day any day and she would find a way to make it interesting.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
It was the thing I loved to do most in school. I’d go into a tiny little closet in the break times, where there was a guitar that I would play during every lunch. After a while I wanted to do nothing else but this. And after a while I felt that I had a lot to say. And then I realised that there are too few women doing what I wanted to see in the industry, so I wanted to see if I can do it. Now that I have come this far I have to see it through, for the other little girls dreaming and for myself.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Usually starts either by myself in my room on my guitar while producing to see which direction it goes. So kinda a chaotic all in one process. Or with my friend Nick Ferreira, where we both start with a production idea and then I write by his side as he advances the production and then we meet in the middle. And from there we take our time so we can finish it properly.
How do you connect with your audience?
Usually through social media, but my favourite way of doing so is through live concerts. There’s something irreplaceable about music being played live and having someone relate to it, or simply enjoying it. There’s nothing quite like it.
https://www.instagram.com/reyamusiic/
https://www.tiktok.com/@reyamusiic
https://www.facebook.com/reyamusiiic
What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
The easiest way is probably online, through instagram and TikTok.
What’s next for you?
More music. Making it and releasing it. And I have two acoustic gigs coming up in london now in march. More info is on my instagram: reyamusiic
