LA based singer-songwriter Willow Raye makes music with a message. Many of her songs explore the many highs and lows that come from and with romantic relationships, but they also buzz with an energy and a fierceness of a woman who knows what she wants and an artist who wants to empower others to know and go for the same.
Her new single “Numb” – originally released last year but now re-recorded with Bobby Raps – is an up-tempo tune with a dark, grungy feel and a song that many will no doubt find themselves connecting with. PopWrapped caught up with her to find out more about the inspiration to the song, her artistic influences and her long-term career plans.
Has music always been the career goal for you or did you have other ambitions growing up?
Music has something I’ve always wanted to do but I started off working in fashion. Once I released my first song “Deja Vu”, I realized music was wanted I wanted to pursue.
Which bands and artists influenced and continue to influence your desire to make music?
I love Lana Del Rey, and she inspired me to become an artist, especially her with her lyrics. Other artists I love are brakence, night Lovell, lil peep and Abra. I’m super into alternative artists, which inspired me to go more of the pop/alt route.
Is there one band or artist you might say you sound at all similar to or do you make a determined effort to be someone new and different?
I think I’m my own thing! I have ranged in genres, starting off in EDM to more pop/alt tracks. I write all my own lyrics and I think they really showcase my personality. I love to make hot girl pop tracks, but I also like to invite a sense of vulnerability into all of them. I try to make tracks that are unconventional without any outside influence.
What do you most want listeners to take from or think about when they hear your music?
We are multidimensional creatures. Sometimes we can be sad, then the next day we’re feeling confident and empowered. It doesn’t have to be black or white. I try to have fun with my lyrics to uplift but also include an element of how I really think about a situation and add in elements to make it more uplifting and accepting of how I feel.
Is there a particular story behind your latest track “Numb” and what made you feel it was the right choice for a single?
I write most my songs about crappy relationships I’ve gone through. This one in particular was about a guy who made me so emotionally confused that I got to a point where I stopped feeling all the emotions and feeling, well, numb. It’s about holding on to a relationship that maybe isn’t the best for you and not wanting to let go. Hence all the drug references. These types of relationships go through extreme highs and lows and once you get to that place of being mentally gone but still holding on, it’s almost like an addiction. But rest assured… I’ve moved on, but made a beautiful track about my experience.
How did you come to collaborate with Bobby Raps on the song?
Slid into the DMs! I wanted to make a track with an artist I’ve always had an appreciation for. We worked on the song via internet due to Covid, but nonetheless came out perfect. Happy to work with him.
You also just released a remix for your song “Paranoid” – tell me about the meaning behind the song and why you decided to release a remix?
“Paranoid” is a track about feeling unsure of a situation with a romantic interest. Not knowing if they care, want you or simply, make you feel paranoid. I think it’s how someone feels when they are super interested in someone that doesn’t really convey how they feel about you or left you high and dry, still not being over it and questioning yourself. I wanted to do a remix of this track because I wanted to give the track more of an oomf!
With live shows and the like off the schedule for the foreseeable future, you’re keeping busy with your releases – how different/similar might you say your current two singles are and are such differences or similarities intentional?
The songs are all related to my crappy relationships of course; a base of all my writing but it works for me, so thank you to them! They are super different in production, but I think the concepts of the lyrics have the same overall theme.
What’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to doing when any semblance of normal life resumes?
I want do a live show for sure. My first shows got cancelled due to Covid and I certainly want to stay consistent with my music career.
Finally then, we’re getting closer to the end of the year, so have you started looking ahead to 2021 yet? What are your short and long term career goals and objectives for the months and years ahead?
My short-term goal is to create singles to eventually create an EP. I want to let the singles organically grow me as an artist, so I can gain interest to lead to an EP. My goal is always to create and never stop creating. I’d love to bios a team and eventually get a label backing for the EP so I can make it super epic. My objective for now in the years ahead is to simply make tracks that others can relate to and feel validated in their emotions.
Give “Numb” a listen below and for more information on Willow Raye, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
Author
