Rona Ray - A Soulful Voice Of This Moment

She's got more global support than a superstar astronaut, with Radio 1, House FM,

and Mi-Soul blasting her tunes.

Heavy hitters like Louie Vega, Seth Troxler, Black Coffee, and Natasha Diggs are on the Rona Ray hype train as well as us at LIQUID SPIRIT Gozo!

Plus, her dynamic duos with Atjazz, Terry Hunter, and Prunk are now legendary.

As an upcoming singer-songwriter, Rona Ray shares her journey, inspirations, and aspirations in an exclusive interview with LIQUID SPIRIT Gozo.

"My mom was a professional jazz pianist," Rona Ray states nostalgically. "She noticed that when I was humming along to the songs I heard on the radio, I had perfect intonation, so she started coaching me when I was four." Her mother encouraged her to explore her talents. "She also convinced me that I was capable of writing songs."

Rona Ray's musical palette is as diverse as it is rich. "When I was younger, I was like a sponge," she explains. "I let myself be influenced by everything."

From the soulful sounds of Mariah Carey and Lauryn Hill to the haunting melodies of Rachmaninov and the timeless classics of Pink Floyd, her influences are vast. “But still, I always gravitate towards R&B,” she adds with a smile. “I learned from listening to the most amazing vocalists in the world.”

Having started singing at the tender age of four and possessing a knack for the piano, Rona Ray’s musical journey has been an eloquent symphony of talent and dedication.

“Because I learned from listening to the most amazing vocalists in the world, like Mariah, Lalah, Alicia and the deep simplicity of Sade,” she reflects, “I often hear from people that I remind them of one of them.”

She’s quick to note the amalgamation of influences has allowed her to craft her unique musical identity.

Polish Roots – Global Wings

Currently based in Poland, Rona Ray’s music transcends geographical boundaries. “I live in a beautiful country, which is very developed, and affordable,” she says of her roots.

While she admits to longing for more travel opportunities and loving seeing the world, Ray eagerly anticipates her upcoming performance at LIQUID SPIRIT Gozo.

She recounts hearing her own songs on the radio and witnessing them resonate in stores and restaurants across the world. Ray cherishes every milestone in her journey, yet, she also acknowledges the darker moments.

Signing the wrong contracts and recalling unpleasant interactions, she cautions against doing anything in the music business without the right advice and legal counsel.

Channelling Alchemy

In the studio, Rona Ray’s creative process is akin to the alchemist. “I listen to the instrumental and always record my first instinct melodies on the first listen,” she reveals.

“Then, I make a few takes, write down some words and phrases that come to mind, and the next thing I know, the song comes together, almost like someone is writing it for me.”

Ray’s career trajectory has been a gradual ascent, marked by consistency and positive collaborative efforts. “I honestly don’t know what kickstarted my career,” she admits humbly, “but consistency and numerous collaborations that expose me to new listeners definitely help!”

Her album Take Me Home (Bayacou Records) – is a collaboration with the mighty Ezel. Released to the world in February of this year, it has surely opened many doors for this young and vibrant talent.

Tracks such as “Am I Being Real?” and “Endless Summer” prove that dance music can mean something, plus the exceptional “Trees Don’t Hide Underground” ensures there will always be a message in Rona Ray’s music, and for that, we salute her.

“You can never go wrong by being kind.” – Rona Ray

As she gazes towards the future, Rona Ray remains steadfast in her commitment to kindness and creativity. “You can never go wrong by being kind,” she asserts. Amen!

With upcoming projects and further releases on the horizon, she assures us all not to blink, for there will be much more to come from this soulful superstar.

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Rona Ray at LSG2024.