Reyna Roberts Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Lamitschka: Music has many new fans throughout
Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you
describe yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen
or heard you?
Answer: My music is often described as “outlaw country”
or “country rock,” and my sound is heavily influenced by Chris
Stapleton. When I hear the songs that are on the radio right now, I can
hear “Stompin’ Grounds” on the playlist. My songs
would fit between Brothers Osborne and Brantley Gilbert.Vocally, I
would say I’m similar to Carrie Underwood. She has such a powerful
voice. My songwriting style varies, and my goal is to always try to
write songs that are timeless.
Lamitschka: Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?
Answer: I am really inspired by the music of
Chris Stapleton. When I was growing up, my parents exposed me to many
artists across various genres of music: Aretha Franklin, The Chicks, Led
Zeppelin, Christina Aguilera, Gretchen Wilson,
Destiny’s Child, and Journey. By playing those artists for me, it
helped shape the sound of my voice, and the music created the soundtrack
of my life. My first performance was when I was 3 years old, at a bar
in Fairbanks, Alaska. I sang “Lady Marmalade,”
the version by Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, Lil Kim, and Missy
Elliott.
Lamitschka: What drives you?
Answer: I am internally driven and motivated to
be the best performer possible. I am also driven by the artists who
inspire me, as well as my parents, my family, and my team. I don’t want
to let them, or myself down. I always want to
better myself. I’m constantly practicing and rehearsing so I can be the
best that I can be, I am driven by my motivation to create music that
inspires other people. I want to write songs that people can relate to,
and identify with. I want to make music that
people can’t stop listening to.
Lamitschka: What’s unique about you that will differentiate you from other artists?
Answer: Of course, my race makes me unique – not
many other country music artists look like me. But, more importantly, I
am unique because of the type of country songs I write. At the moment,
there aren’t too many women in country music
who write/sing Outlaw Country or Country Rock. My songs have a lot of
electric and acoustic guitar. Aside from the ballads I write, my lyrics
and instrumentation tend to be rowdy, with an aggressive driving force
and high energy.
Lamitschka: What has been your greatest challenge in the music business?
Answer: Actually, my greatest challenge has been
within myself. It was challenging to find the sound that best fits me
because I have so many influences, and I’m inspired by so many different
genres. Artists have to figure out who they
are, and what they want to represent. Countless times, producers and
writers have wanted me to be the opposite of who I am. I had to figure –
for myself, what’s best for me and my career.
Lamitschka: Who is your biggest critic, yourself or others?
Answer: Definitely myself. I am my biggest
competitor. I’m always looking for ways to better myself and best
myself. I think that’s the only way you can truly grow and discover
things you didn’t know you could do. Comparing yourself
to others can be a motivator but can only get you so far. Your biggest
challenge should be the person on the other side of the mirror.
Lamitschka: Is there any place you haven’t played that you would like to?
Answer: I want to play at Coachella, and later
become a headliner. I want to perform at the NFL’s Superbowl half-time
show, and at the Grand Ole Opry. I also want to play at all of the music
award shows such as: American Music Awards,
the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Association
Awards, CMT Music Awards, iHeartRadio Awards, Academy of Music Awards,
and any other concert venues around the world.
Lamitschka: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?
Answer: My fans can expect to have a full
concert experience. Fans pay money to see a show, and that’s what they
will get when they see me. I not only sing, I also dance and interact
with the crowd. I play piano, so there will be a
beautiful piano on stage. The stage scenery will change a lot from
concert to concert, but I want to have a large bar on stage, a
mechanical bull, and other exciting visual effects. I want them to
experience one of the best concerts they have ever been to,
and I want them to be excited every time I have a concert.
Lamitschka: What’s the best compliment a fan has ever given you?
Answer: Fans tell me my voice makes them FEEL.
They’ve said my voice is generational, and that years after I’m gone,
people will still be singing my songs. I have also been told that I have
a voice that lasts forever, and my songs are
timeless.
Lamitschka: What’s your favorite song that you wish you could have recorded?
Answer: Sometimes I Cry by Chris Stapleton.
It’s my absolute favorite. Listening to that song has actually inspired
me to write many other songs.
Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de ) for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show