Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Nicole Rayy

Canadian country artist Nicole Rayy is empowering women around the world with her new anthem, “All Woman.” Released today, the single is already making waves with its relatable lyrics and uplifting message. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with Nicole to chat about “All Woman” and the year ahead.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Nicole: Honestly, I can’t remember wanting to do anything else. I was making up songs before I could talk. I grew up singing, dancing, and writing lyrics in my notebooks. I took piano lessons, vocals lessons, and was always a part of the school musical. Whenever people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always a singer. I grew up and the answer never changed.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Nicole: I am fortunate to have a great team behind me helping to shape my career. I work with some truly amazing people, including the producers of “All Woman,” Brian Howes and Jason Van Poederooyen, my manager, Jordyn Elliott, and my mom, who is a strong support and force behind my career. But someone who has had the biggest influence on my career and has helped shape me as an artist was my former manager, Janice Starodub. She was so passionate about the music industry and about my career. She taught me so much about the business side of things and also about being who I wanted to be as an artist and how to let that shine. I know she is still watching and guiding me from above.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Nicole: There are a lot of things I am proud of in my career, but I think one thing that stands out is performing in Shanghai, China, for the past five years at the World Music Festival. When I began my singing career, I hoped it would take me on great adventures, but I never knew it would put me on stage on the other side of the world!

PC: Tell us about your new single, “All Woman.” What inspired the track?
Nicole: “All Woman” is the type of song that I have been wanting to write for a while now. I write a lot of songs about relationships and how other people have influenced my emotions, but I wanted to write a song about how I feel about myself. “All Woman” is an anthem about what it means to be a woman to me. It’s not about defining yourself as one thing; it’s about embracing all aspects of what make you the original, powerful woman that you are.

PC: Of all the songs that you’ve released, if you had to pick one that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Nicole: That’s a tough question! It’s so hard to pick just one because I feel as artists we are continually growing and improving our craft. I definitely feel that “All Woman” best encompasses not only the woman who I am but who I am as an artist and what I have to say right now. As an artist, I also feel very strongly about expressing my emotions about relationships through song. My previous single, “Unfinished,” very much represents who I am as an artist too. It expresses my love of love and also my passion for clever lyrics and a great metaphor.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Nicole: A lot of girl power! Along with my single “All Woman,” I will also be releasing an EP this March of the same title. I also started two different all-female-lineup shows: one called Girl Talk and another called All Woman Music. I started Girl Talk to give myself and other female country artists more opportunity to perform. I wanted a place where established female singers and songwriters could come together to perform and also to talk, open up, and be honest. All Woman Music is a platform for women in music—not just country music—to empower and support one another. All Woman Music will be putting on acoustic singer-songwriter showcases across Ontario, and hopefully beyond, featuring all-female lineups. I was inspired to start All Woman after a lot of festival lineups being announced included almost all males on the bill. I wanted to give women more opportunities to perform live. Not only will All Woman give opportunities to established artists but also to those new to performing. So 2020 will definitely be filled with a lot of female empowerment!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Nicole: Linkin Park

PC: First album you bought?
Nicole: Not sure which was the very first, but these were among the first ones: Spice by Spice Girls, Now!, and Backstreet Boys.

PC: First concert you attended?
Nicole: Janet Jackson with my mom and her friends from work.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Nicole: Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson. To most people’s surprise—because now I am usually the loudest person in the room—I used to be a quieter singer when I was young. I used to listen to this album and wish I could belt like Kelly. One day in a vocal lesson, I tackled “Since U Been Gone” with my teacher, and ever since that day, I haven’t been able to stop belting.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Nicole: I grew up seeing concerts at the Air Canada Centre and it was always my dream to fill that arena one day.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Nicole: Snacks!

To keep up with Nicole, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “All Woman” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify.