Songstress Rehya Stevens has teamed up with Jon Kubik for an impressive new single named "Abracadabra." With her new single in tow, she channels a bit of American Pop, Soul and R&B to bring a unique and sophisticated sound to the table. We had the chance to catch up with Stevens as she dives deep into her new single, and to see what surprises she has in store for us in the upcoming new year. With one listen of "Abracadabra," you'll be falling in love with Rehya and her impressive brand of Rock n' Roll.
1. What is the inspiration behind the latest single release, "Abracadabra"?
My collaborator, Jon Kubis and I had gotten wind of a Disney film called "Magic Camp.” It started there, and we kind of found ourselves on this magic jag. We were like, "Man! That would be so cool to go "magic camp," and learn how to be a superhero/magician!" It just went on and on.
A few days later, I fired up the coffee pot, sat down at the piano, wrote the verses, and a chorus that we ended up altering. We recorded the track over the course of a few days, and it was a blast! Our friend, Gene Siegel strolled in from a gig at 2 am, set up his guitars, and we laid his parts down until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore. It was like a little magic party! Fun, spontaneous, and flowy.
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic blend of indie rock with an edge?
My full-time lane is Pop-Soul and Dance influenced music, but Abracadabra really called for an indie rock vibe. Even bare-bones, just as a piano/vocal, it was pretty clear that it wasn't going to be right in any other genre. I love bold music with an edge and enjoy classic rock, so this was a treat! I have a fierce inner Pat Benatar, so, I went in with my Grrrr!
3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?
I suppose I channel the richest part of my imagination, which is hopefully well exercised by time spent reading, journaling, and recording song ideas on my phone. A really colorful song title or concept will get my mind churning pretty feverishly. Like the other day, I heard a someone say something to the teller at the grocery store - something like "it was a long day, but there's an even longer night ahead." Anyway, it got me thinking about how true that is when you're going through challenges. It just seems like it's a 24/7 battle with your mind. Getting to the bottom of something messy, that's important to you is all-consuming. I might turn that phrase into a song, but with a triumphant spin.
4. What are your favorite venues to perform at? and if you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
I enjoy small theaters. I love the intimacy of a theater. I like to talk about the songs and connect with the audience in a personal way, and there's something really homey about a theater that supports that rapport really well. But, I feel like meaningful rapport is what makes a show memorable - no matter what the venue is.
I feel the most comfortable in the studio, mainly because no-one cares about your clothes or makeup! But, the studio calls for a certain degree of perfection, so it can be intense. I like that intensity and thrive in it because I have high expectations of myself, and I get a bit OCD over details. But the stage is amazing. I can just let go, sing, enjoy the audience and let the evening flow. Imperfection is part of the unique experience, and that's very freeing. Very natural.
5. How do you create your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect piece come together?
Some songs are like these impressionist paintings that take a really long time because, for whatever reason, I'm just not getting the right shadow, light, or that special SOMETHING that I'm looking for. I just spent 2 solid months writing a song called "Higher." I'd get a glimpse of the picture, and then it would elude me again. It's maddening, but I'm totally compelled by it. Usually, the bigger the challenge, the greater the reward, so I keep chugging and churning on it. Other songs -- sometimes the ones that people like the most, take a few hours. They just roll on out like, "Hey! Check me out!" They're not labor intensive at all.
As for the process, I like to work alone, or with collaborators that I'd hang out with just to hang out with. Vibe is so important to me. To start, usually, I have a concept in mind, a song title, a groove, or a melody. For at least 20 minutes every day, I jot down ideas, journal, or read something inspiring, because when it's time to write, I know I'll be excavating my mind, so I want to plant solid stuff there. When I'm co-writing, I like to show up with a song that's at least half finished, so that the base of it starts in my womb, so to speak. When I write on my own, I enjoy getting lost in the journey - uninterrupted, and without outside influences. Either way, there's always a pot of coffee on, and my cat Sebastian is nosing his way into the scene. Distracting me, or us.
6. How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines your sound to you?
When you work with great producers who are also singers, they have a way of using sounds that compliment the timbre of your voice. As much as I'd love to have tracks that sound like this or that example, it might not necessarily suit my voice. That took some time to discover. It wasn't until I worked with great producers who were also great singers, that vocally, I felt that I was driving the track, instead of the track driving me. I think I sound best when there are unique nuances behind a great, slinky groove. Vocally, I respond to nuance naturally. I think nuance is sexy. I think there's a sexiness to my sound that's wholesome and earthy. It's a combination of groove, ethereal sounds, passionate musicianship, and being an alto with nuanced stylization.
7. This year is already shaping up to be a huge year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in the remainder of the year?
I have a holiday single coming out in November that I'm also really excited about! We're doing a lot of filming for that single and a few other projects, so I hope to lose a few pounds by the end of the year -- that would be a great accomplishment! Other than that, I hope to do a few holiday shows, and write a Christmas song or two by New Year’s Eve. That would be fantastic!
