Heavenly Reyna – EXIT

By starrymag | October 18, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) A producer once described my sound as “like if Julia Michaels and Birdy had a baby” and I love that description!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I love Adele, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Lorde, FINNEAS, Simon & Garfunkel, Halsey, Billie Eilish, and so many more.

 

Q) You were raised in 48 countries! How did this cultural diversity shape you as an artist?

 

A) I think that my global upbringing has had a profound effect on me and my music. I was homeschooled except for the periods where I dipped into schools in Spain, China and Malaysia for language and cultural immersion, so that gave me an extraordinary amount of freedom to explore who I was – as an artist and as a human – in so many enriching and beautiful environments! My parents are both artists, so they were great examples for me and nurtured those aspects in me, exposing me to beauty in nature, cultural celebrations, museums and local music all while connecting deeply with local people.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your song “EXIT.”

 

A) I got the first lines and melody while sitting in traffic on the 405 in Los Angeles, but I did not take it seriously. It kept pressing on me and, as it evolved, I began to like the quirkiness of the concept and juxtaposition of comparing being stuck in traffic to a relationship ending. The melody is a little haunting, so I was surprised that my large global audience on Twitch loved it and requested it so much. Their encouragement led me to releasing this version of the song now.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think it’s kind of a global story as we all know about traffic and have experienced that moment in a relationship when we realize it isn’t working and it’s time to exit. I think the twist also adds to the empowering aspects of the song, even though it is a breakup ballad. It is about pain, but it is also fun and cathartic. I got a lot of messages from my audience saying that they wanted me to release “EXIT” so they could sing along with it in their cars!

 

Q) What is it about the track that holds a special place in your heart that you wanted to release an acoustic performance of it?

 

A) This was really for my Twitch audience as they wanted me to put it on streaming platforms and are used to hearing the acoustic version. So, I thought, “Why not release this first?” It allows people to enjoy it while I make the produced version! Normally, artists release the produced version first and then an acoustic version, but I thought, “Why not twist it around this time?”

 

Q) The release party for the song was held via livestream. Why was that such an important way for you to share it with your fans?

 

A) The livestream virtual release party allowed me to share the celebration with so many more fans around the world. It’s such a magnificent way to connect to my audience in real time and up close. Rode Microphones is one of my sponsors, so we did a big giveaway of two complete microphone sets and some signed cover art posters. Everyone really enjoyed that. These are the fans that wanted the release, so it made the most sense to celebrate it with them in an intimate setting that can only really be done in a livestream at the moment!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Every song is a little different for me. Sometimes lyrics come first, sometimes melody, sometimes both at the same time. It depends on if I am writing alone or if I am writing with collaborators. Sometimes a song comes out at once, other times it is just a piece at a time until it all comes together. Sometimes it starts as just an idea and I just keep playing with it until I am happy.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I sometimes produce my own songs, but I often work with producers. Again, every song is a little different. I definitely always have input into the production, even when I am not the main person creating the production. I will sometimes give references to the producer and work with them until we are both happy, or the whole team is happy if there are several of us working together on a song.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Yes! But right now, I’m going to keep releasing singles every month or two as I’ve been very busy and have a lot of songs I want to release.

 

Q) With concerts having been on hold, what have you missed most about being on stage?

 

A) I miss the fun of crowds of people all moving and connecting to the music at once in one place.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I really love performing in Spain, in Asia and in the UK because they are also my “homes.” I miss those places, those cultures and my connection to that part of me. I also miss performing at Hotel Cafe in LA (but I will again soon!) and busking in Santa Monica. I absolutely love livestreaming to audiences around the world on Twitch, but it is very different than performing live in person.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I would love to work with FINNEAS as I think he’s an absolute genius.

 

Q) You’re a critically acclaimed songwriter! What advice would you give to up-and-coming songwriters?

 

A) I think the best advice is to just trust yourself! It is always good to learn as much as you can, but at the same time you teach yourself a lot by just doing it every day. Trust in the songs and stories that are yours and are just waiting to be told.

 

Q) We’ve also loved seeing you on our screens! Do you have any upcoming acting projects you’ve recently worked on?

 

A) Thank you so much! I do have some very exciting projects coming, but I can’t talk about them yet. Soon!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I find it a fun way to just keep in touch with what is going on. I can take the people I care about with me wherever I go. If I go to the beach, I take my fans with me. If I am baking and decorating a cake, I can share some of that process. If I am playing around with a new song or a new look, I can ask for their feedback.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I love you! Truly, I feel so blessed to have such an amazing audience that likes my art and that I can help uplift, share and have fun with!

 

 

 

 

“EXIT” Spotify:

 

“EXIT (Acoustic Music Video)”