Cloud Ray explores music the way it is meant to be. It is an extension of personality, something you connect with as a missing puzzle. This is one artist who has pushed the envelope on what he loved, creating something we all do. With his latest single, he ensures you’re grooving and moving to his words. This one is called We Need.
Finding a personal space in music
Your music shares a certain vulnerability, no matter what genre you pick. Is that an instant connect that came while composing?
Thank you for noticing this! I truly take the time to delve into myself and see how my life might reflect outward into the world. I would say that the intention to be vulnerable is an instantaneous habit but composing takes more time and careful observation. Being open on any song is a scary adventure for me to embark on and sometimes I even find myself second guessing what I write about. There is a feeling of fear that creeps in and joins me in the creative process because I’m unsure of what the world may think or how the music might be received. ‘We Need’ is the most vulnerable that I have been on any record to date and I have been so thankful to receive such an influx of positive reception.
So many people have shared with me how they either relate to the song or just needed something like this to listen to. It’s comforting and validating to know how much positivity came from releasing this record by allowing my vulnerability to step into the spotlight.
Cloud Ray and his influences
The mix of genres you use is beyond boundaries. Tell us about your wide range of influences, even the unlikely ones.
There are so many great artists that have inspired me and influenced me in some way or another. Growing up, my mom would play Pop radio, Hip Hop radio, and even the R&B stations. I would hear all ranges of artists from The Black Eyed Peas and Michael Jackson to Kanye West and Eminem. Artists like Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross were also often played in my household so I obtained a great sense of what amazing vocalists sounded like.
When MTV used to play music videos on their TV channel, I remember watching bands like The All American Rejects, Maroon 5, and Paramore which all opened me up to finding a love for punk rock. Today, I try to incorporate elements of the music I truly enjoyed growing up with but I utilize more of a modern sound as well.
It is an incredible premise he puts forth. We all do need things to move on with and live for. Here, he is in conversation with someone he once loved to know what is needed to progress. It is the healing, the moving past a story that makes this track so cinematic and moving. You can practically imagine the whole scene play out in front of you, courtesy Cloud Ray. He does float on top with his incredible lyricism, making it personal yet, to a degree, universal. You will connect with several parts of this track for the power and moving feeling that he encapsulates so well. Listen to the song, and you’ll know.
Genres that heal
Is there a genre you want to try as an experiment, just to see the output? What is your go to genre when you’re stressed out?
Hmm.. If I were to try out a genre as an experiment, I would probably try out Country music. There is something so pure about the storytelling in Country music that really only works for its genre. I would be interested to see how Cloud Ray would maneuver a Country song or maybe even a Country project. Beyonce´ recently announced that she is releasing a Country inspired album and it’s amazing to see that caliber of an artist pave a way for others to do the same.
My go-to genre when I am stressed out is R&B music. I have fallen so far in love with the catalogue of songs that musical artist Tems has released in the past couple years. Her songs take me to a much calmer place when I really need to go there. Of course, I also listen to some of my own songs in times when I need to de-stress, even the unreleased songs.
Composing with Cloud Ray
While creating a lyrical gauntlet, how do you go about composing?
: I go about composing by first acknowledging how I am feeling. It’s usually the emotion that drives me to want to write or create something new. From there, I begin to hum melodies that coincide with how I am feeling and usually a melody gets stuck in my head long enough for me to start writing something catchy to it. When I have a solid foundation on the lyrics in that melody, I begin to fortify the lyrics around that and complete my story telling.
There is such a noticeable difference when I write from my heart as opposed to my brain so I began to trust my emotions and feelings a lot more when songwriting. Some of the challenges I face in this creative process develop from overthinking, the fear of judgment, and the fear of success. I could end up writing something super vulnerable like ‘We Need’ that could be a major hit and then start thinking too much about if the song would make sense for the brand, for the business, and if it would even be acceptable for radio.
Working past the noise
The fear of judgment and success comes in when I start thinking about how much negative reception I might receive or if the song
becomes a success, I ask myself questions like “How do I navigate that?” “Am I really ready to share that much of myself on this level of exposure?” Only when I remind myself that there is no rush to putting out the music is when I can sit with these thoughts and sort through all that might be irrational or just build more confidence around what I’ve created.
Having overcome this battle a few times now, I’ve realized how important it can be to sit with what you’ve created and just truly appreciate it.
Future collaborations
Are there artists in the indie game right now that you’d want to collaborate with?
Yes! I have been listening to a super talented musical artist by the name Superlative Sain. His music is a fun mixture of Afrobeats, Dancehall, Soca, Pop, Hip Hop, R&B and even some House music. I’ve been lucky enough to see him perform live several times now. What I’ve noticed about him is the level of stardom that he holds and how it really encapsulates his audience in any setting. His performances include crowd participation where you can see the explosive energy that he brings out of people and I also really enjoy the more intimate performances where you can see him carefully curate his emotions through his voice.
Recently, he released a single called “Love and Affection” which is a precursor to his upcoming EP. I highly-highly recommend checking it out, it’s now available to listen to on all streaming platforms. I would love to work with him on a record and witness more of his creative process as well so hopefully in the near future, a collaboration from Cloud Ray and Superlative Sain might be possible.
Cloud Ray; Advice for playing the game
What would you like to say to other indie artists that are trying to make it in the scene like you? Any process you find to be a thumb rule?
My advice to artists who are in the scene with me would be to prioritize organizing your brand and work on creating a familiarity with your audience. I find that having consistency with who you are initially as a person makes it so much easier to be able to present yourself as an artist. For example, anytime I perform, my audience knows to expect a high energy show with great stage presence. This can really help people to connect with you more and I think there is so much benefit from better connection to one another. Meeting people in this industry is also so important. Build a community with people that you can help and grow with by supporting your other artist friends at their shows.
At shows or even industry mixer events, you really never know who you’ll end up meeting or standing next to that could offer you a life changing opportunity! As a rule of thumb, I try my best to stay organized in everything I am doing so that I don’t develop habits that might break down everything I am working towards. I create schedules, deadlines, and frequently meet with my team to make sure that things are running smoothly. That all would be the best advice I could give based on where I am at now.
Movie for the song!
I especially loved the production quality on this number. Cloud Ray has always ensured constant improvement and quality build in his music. This one is no different. This song would be perfect in the movie You People (2023), especially given the scenarios he has painted so well. Listen to the song above and feel out the music!
Links | Quality | Language | Player | Date Added |
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Play Now | Soundcloud |