Introducing #0099 - RYA
Bursting onto the scene with a huge dose of British pop, RYA pounces onto the scene with her debut single ‘Karma’, which is out now! She took a moment to talk to us about the track and one day getting that Black Nandos card.
Your track ‘Karma’ is out now, can you tell us what the track is about?
Karma is about not apologizing for the way you feel. I think that girls especially are scared to say or act how they feel when it comes to relationships for fear of being “psycho” or a “drama queen”, but this track is about doing just that and not giving a shit.
It sees you working with producer Jack Gourlay, how did that partnership come about?
Through the beauty of the internet! I’m not a fan of social media but I will say that it is really great for connecting with people you might not have otherwise met. Jack contacted me through Instagram and it kind of went from there.
What inspiration did you pull on for this song? What was the creative process like?
I went through a tough break up and this song was me coming out of the other side of that. Writing for me is really cathartic, and I had a lot of negative feelings that needed to be dealt with so I threw all of those emotions into the lyrics. It started with me having the line “If karma doesn’t hit you first then I bloody will” going round and round in my head and then once I had the chorus down, the rest of it came naturally.
While writing music, you are also studying medicine, how do you find time for both?
In all honesty – I don’t. Both professions require you to put in 150% effort if you want to be successful, and I also have a lot of extra-curricular commitments and a job to squeeze in so I find myself living a double life most the time, kind of like Hermione with the time-turner…
Originally from Berkshire, but you now live in London. Where do you go for music kicks? Is there any artists on the London scene you think we should be checking our right now?
Pubs like the Old Blue Last and the New Cross Inn are great for hearing new up and coming bands. I also discover a lot of musicians from when I play shows and we’re on the same bill, like Ka-Li, we played a charity gig for Mind UK, and they’re sick. Little Simz is insane and if you haven’t heard her get your act together and check her out. RIMON is awesome, as is Joy Crookes, the list is endless!
Now the single is out, what next? What are your plans?
I’ll be releasing another single in the new year and I’m planning on organizing more live shows, they’re so much fun. Then there’s also the plan of becoming a doctor and getting a Nandos black card…