Back in 2015 CRAY (aka Cheney Ray) was putting out some heavy hitting trap music sprinkled with video game sounds from classic titles like Mario. As the years have passed, CRAY has grown into herself as an artist and all around creative, participating in events and festivals like Brownies & Lemonade, Hard Summer, and has now come to grace the stage at e-sports events, like Fortnite’s celebrity Pro-Am. Most recently she had the opportunity to play The Paradise Festival in Dominican Republic. It has been a whirlwind 2019 for CRAY, and we caught up with her to discuss her musical journey, video games, and her new live sets.
What’s it like to wear so many different hats in terms of producing, singing, DJing, and Twitch streaming? How do you manage doing so many different things?
I’ve always been like this. I love doing many things not one thing, I’m trying to blend all my passions together.
I think as I grew up and changed so did my goals. I realized I have a lot to say and I fell in love with writing. The lyrics and melodies I was writing wasn’t fitting with EDM music so I just followed what I was creating.
You’ve been able to reinvent yourself through your music. When I first found you, you were putting out trap bangers like ‘1UP’ & ‘Up In Smoke.’ Now you’re more focused on singer/songwriter indie electronic music with your new EP seasons change and so do I. What prompted this change?
I think as I grew up and changed so did my goals. I realized I have a lot to say and I fell in love with writing. The lyrics and melodies I was writing wasn’t fitting with EDM music so I just followed what I was creating.
I personally love ‘eat your heart out‘ from your new EP. The thick basses contrasted with that toybox sounding melody and your voice is absolutely mesmerizing. Can you give us some insight on what that track was about or how it came together?
When I wrote the lyrics for the song and had the topline I was really struggling with production. Nothing was fitting and it was really stressing me out, I almost dropped the entire track. Thankfully one of my favorite people Naderi, who is an incredible producer came in and we created exactly what I had pictured in my mind.
Live shows are way more intimate, singing live has been such a struggle but a great one.
What has the reaction of the crowd been like when you perform the live show vs a DJ set?
Live shows are way more intimate, singing live has been such a struggle but a great one. Djing is like riding a bike for me, it’s fun and easy but live was a different ball game entirely….I am blessed to be able to do both, and love both for their differences.
What was it like to participate in the Fortnite tournament? I saw the video of you walking out with a wine glass, was that an advantage for you?
Haha! That was super fun. Gaming is one of my favorite things ever so being included was awesome! I never dived deep into Fortnite so I thought I’d make it a fun time and be goofy with it.
You’ve accumulated a fair bit of ink over the years. Do you have a favorite tattoo?
No favorite, all a part of my story BUT currently starting to fill out my legs so I’ve really loved doing that.
Now there’s music festivals including gaming, and vice versa which is super cool. Also online music festivals, it’s all coming together and its so fun to watch the two things I love most bond together.
There’s been a lot of talk around music and gaming coming together. Given your unique position in both industries, where do you see this intersection going? Are there any opportunities that combine the two that you are excited about?
It has been coming together for a while and now finally really merging. I see the intersection going in many different ways. Now there’s music festivals including gaming, and vice versa which is super cool. Also online music festivals, it’s all coming together and its so fun to watch the two things I love most bond together.
What is your go to late night food spot?
TACO BELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What video games have you been playing lately?
I have been playing a lot of COD and Death Stranding lately!
What would your dream collab be?
Right now, doing a song with Bring Me The Horizon would be amazing.
What are you excited about going into 2020?
NEW MUSIC, LIVE SHOWS.
