Nicole Rayy graced the country music stage armed with her versatile voice and the undeniably perfect blend of multiple genres all rolled into one. The Canadian-country singer-songwriter-musician is a dynamic powerhouse that is forced to be reckoned with.
2012 was the first time we’ve heard of her and the Canadian Country music scene has not been the same since then. Starting with her debut EP Only Everything, she showcased her diverse range as well as her ability to convert raw emotion through her songs.
An Interview with Nicole Rayy
Here at Country Thang Daily, we got the chance to connect with the amazing artist. Nicole Rayy is full of insights and a different perspective on her music and how she tackles on the art that she does.
Country Thang Daily: How would you describe your style of music?
Nicole Rayy: I’ve always been a fan of many genres and styles of music and I like to incorporate many of them in my music. I would describe my music as a blend of country, pop, and rock.
I think the storytelling quality of my music gives my songs the honesty of country while including flavors, within the instrumentation and vocals of pop and rock.
CTD: Who are your influences in music? From where do you draw your inspiration from?
NR: My musical inspirations are all over the map from Shania Twain to Linkin Park to Eminem. I’m inspired by many great voices but maybe more importantly great lyrics. I’ve always loved digging into the lyrics of a song and admire those who are clever with their writing.
Lyrics have always been of huge importance to me, I like to make sure every line says exactly what I want it to say. As for inspiration, my songs ideas all come from my real life. I’m inspired by my relationships, emotions, and situations in my real life, those are the things that spark my ideas for writing.
CTD: Why do you think your music resonates to people?
NR: Honesty. I’ve always tried to be as honest as possible when I write my songs. I think that being vulnerable and honest as an artist is important and is something people can appreciate.
I think by being honest and sharing my emotions and stories through music that people can relate to them when they are going through a similar situation in their life.
CTD: What would you like people to take away from your songs?
NR: Growing up, and still to this day, listening to music made me feel less alone. I would listen to the lyrics of a song and think, wow this artist is feeling exactly how I’m feeling right now.
I’ve always wanted people to feel the same way about my music. That they aren’t the only one feeling that emotion, or in that situation. That someone out there understands, and that listening to that song gives them that comfort.
CTD: Tell us more about your latest album? What’s it all about?
NR: The album is called “All Woman” and it’s a really special project for me. It includes 6 songs, 3 of which I recorded with producer Doug Romanow and 3 which I recorded with Brian Howes and Jason Van Poederooyen.
NR: I started work on this project over two years ago now while I was working with my manager Janice Starodub. Janice sadly became sick with breast cancer and lost her battle on New Year’s Eve 2017.
After this loss, I was lost and it was difficult to carry on with the project without her. I’m grateful to my new manager Jordyn Elliott who found me at a time when I needed guidance. It has been a joy to continue this project with her by my side. Now that the album is complete, I am so happy to have an album that really encompasses where I’ve been and where I’m going as an artist.
You can check out her new single “Unfinished” here!
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Nicole Rayy