Reya Jayne

Who is Reya Jayne? Where are you from, how long have you been playing music etc?

‘An English rose with a Nashville sound’ – this is the simplest way to describe myself and my music in one go! I’m originally from Sheffield but moved to London to pursue my music when I was 18. Having been on the stage since I could walk, through theatre schools and vocal training, I ordered my first guitar off of eBay and the rest is history!

If you had to describe your sound using just five words, what would they be?

Honest, country, youthful, relatable and FUN!

Who are your biggest influences musically?

Taylor Swift has always been a massive influence of mine for obvious reasons, but lately I would say I have some more traditional influences coming through such as Shania Twain (an absolute QUEEN), the Dixie Chicks, Lori McKenna (if you haven’t heard humble & kind you need to, like, now) and of course, the one and only Ms Dolly Parton.

What’s your songwriting process?

This definitely chances with each song that I write but when something doesn’t come to me immediately, I like to take inspiration from day to day life, making notes of phrases I see or things people have said, anything that sparks something creative. Then I have notes pages full on my phone of these phrases, and I just sort of group them to see what sort of narrative we can get. The centre of everything I write is that core story.

When you were younger, what was the first album that blew you away and you remember putting on repeat non-stop?

Taylor Swift – Speak Now, if you want to laugh, cry, sing along with the windows down, it’s all in that one album.

As a performer, what’s your biggest claim to fame so far?

Singing ‘You Belong With Me’ on stage with Liz Rose (co-writer of most of Tay Tays first two albums) in Nashville at the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, a thing of dreams!!!

If you could go on tour with any current band or artist, who would it be and why?

If Taylor Swift wasn’t an option, that would have to be Kelsea Ballerini. Her tours look SO fun and full of girl power!!

If you could put your dream team band together consisting of any musicians from the past or present who would the band members be?

I would firm the world biggest girl band with country starts of past present and future! The Dixie Chicks, Kelsea, Taylor, Shania, Dolly, Carrie Underwood, it would be unstoppable!!

How would you describe your live show to someone who has never seen you perform before?

I like to think I’m quite relaxed when I’m playing – on the outside anyway. I like to have a chat with people and love to really take note of their interactions and responses to the songs. The audience are the most important part!

Do you have any pre-gig or post gig rituals? If so, what and why?

My pre-show ritual is usually just a stressy nervous text to my mum followed by a sip of wine to chill the nerves! Not the most professional response but hey, what works works!

What would your ultimate rider be if you could have anything without being accused of being a diva?

Can I put Harry Styles on a rider?? Is that a thing??

If we were to browse your music library what is the most embarrassing song we might find? Or who is your guilty pleasure artist?

Most embarrassing song – ‘Drop Kick Me Jesus’, stumbled across this while writing my dissertation and trust me you will not regret looking this song up.. And my guilty pleasure is all things Disney, including the parade songs… no shame!

Tell us one thing your fans would be really shocked or surprised to hear or learn about you.

I am a super maths nerd, A* at A Level, no biggie xo

If people want to check you out online where is the best place to go?

Definitely Twitter or Insta, like a true millennial I am a social media fiend.

Finally, what does the future hold for you as an artist?

So much more writing and working on new music! As of right now I’m doing as many live streams as possible to keep the music going, and there may or may not be an announcement coming in the next one on May 16th, Rising with Hotvox for War Child! Tune in and stay safe everyone!x