Rhea Dean Interview

Rhea Dean has had an extremely busy but exciting few months, but luckily for us she’s just getting started. After winning Live & Unsigned, supporting Katy B at Somerset House and Faithless at Electric Brixton, releasing some undeniably addictive new tracks and gigging at numerous venues across the UK, Rhea is also working on her soon to be released EP. We caught up with the London-based singer/ songwriter to find out more about that gorgeously distinctive voice, loveable personality and rapidly growing success.

So Rhea, You’ve recently released some amazing singles which must be really exciting for you, what inspirations and ideas influenced you during the making process?
So many different things influence me from how I’m feeling at the time and what I’m personally going through or something someone has said or a performance I’ve watched which has stirred some kind of emotion in me. Inspiration for my new single ‘Reflections’ for example came about when I was writing my dissertation, which was about the over-sexualisation of women in pop music. It made me think about how we are expected to fit into a certain model of beauty and sexiness and whether you do or don’t fit that mould then there’s always someone that has a problem with it but you can’t let that get to you should only do what feels right to you. I’m really passionate about this subject so felt I needed to explore it in a song.

You’ve got a distinct, powerful voice which allows you to play around with different genres from alternative pop to electro and drum and bass (which we have also seen in remixes of your tracks), what kind of sounds have you incorporated into your new tracks?
Both my releases so far, ‘Secret Lies’ and Reflections’ have a moody electronic vibe and have got a throwback ’90s feel. Growing up in the ’90s that’s obviously a big influence on my style now as well as dance elements in the form of D&B and house vibes. I work hard but love to play hard too and love to party to house and D&B.

‘Secret Lies’ and ‘Reflections’ have really kicked off! What sort of feedback have you received from these tracks and do you expect to receive the same kind of feedback for your newer tracks?
The feedback has all been really positive. I feel like people have really connected to ‘Reflections’, which is really special as it’s such an important subject to me and I put a lot into that track emotionally. I’m hoping the next tracks will receive the same great feedback but they’re more upbeat so who knows but judging by how the past remixes are perceived which are also more dance inspired I think they will. Plus I love them so hopefully I can spread that love.

You’ve recently been on the road for ILUVLIVE in Bristol, Brighton and Birmingham performing alongside other artists, what has the experience been like for you?
It’s been a really great experience being able to meet and network with people out of London. I played with the house band in Brighton and Birmingham and I have to say they were amazing musicians and it’s always refreshing to play with new people that are as passionate about music and also my tracks as I am. I’ve also got a newfound love for Brummies. They’re the friendliest people and I can’t wait to do a gig there again.

From song writing to recording, making music videos and live performances, what is your favourite part of the job?
I love every part of the process but I really love performing live. I think music means so much more when it’s shared and enjoyed together and I get so exited and happy to be able to communicate ideas and experiences to audiences through music. I also get show a piece of me through music, which people can hopefully connect and relate to and help in some way.

When you’re not busy with your music, what are your favourite things to do?
I’m a big fan of the gym and eating healthy. It’s a time I can really clear my head and it makes me feel so much more motivated daily. My body and my voice is my tool so it’s so important for me to keep it at it’s best plus it’s also how I balance out the cheeky cocktails I really like! I’m a very visual person and art also really inspires me and I’m so lucky enough to live in London where there is so much to see. Same for gigs, there’s something going on every night and I love to support many of my friends who are also musicians.

It sounds like you’ve worked hard over the summer, I hope you’ve had time to play hard too?
Oh yes definitely, I managed a few days in Ibiza which was fun! I went to see Matt Jam Lamont play at Sankeys one of the nights and he played the remix he did with Scott Diaz of my track ‘Reflections’. That was surreal! I tried to record it but the video was so rubbish coz I was dancing around so much in my excitement! Ha.

Winning Live & Unsigned must have been really rewarding, how did you react?
It was an amazing feeling to know that I had come first over a few thousand people. I really felt the support and love of my music and couldn’t have been more grateful for it.

What are your plans for the near future?
I’ll be continuing to promote my singles and will be getting ready for the release of the EP, which will be early next year and I’m also always gigging. I’ve already started working on some new material for my next project but this is still in the early stages. I’m looking to do few collaborations on that project too. You can follow my journey and keep up to date with what’s going on my website rheadean.com and facebook.com/MissRheaDean or @RheaDean on twitter.