Raye Zaragoza Fighting Like A Girl Interview

Raye Zaragoza (pronounced ray zay-rah-GO-zah) is an award-winning singer-songwriter who carries an acoustic guitar and a message. Her quiet yet powerful song "In the River," written in response to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota, garnered half a million video views, national media coverage, and a Global Music Award and Honesty Oscar. Her forthcoming sophomore LP recorded with Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, First Aid Kit) will be released in 2020.

Writing about social issues comes naturally to Raye. "As a woman of color in America, social issues are things you deal with and see every day of your life," she says. "I write about my experience and oftentimes my existence has been laced with injustice."

Raye's debut album, Fight For You (independent, 2017), displays her compassion, dedication to justice and equality for all, and keen eye for the seemingly small daily moments that become our most meaningful memories. About the record, Raye says, "This album is about finding yourself and finding your voice. It's about maturing and realizing that you can make a difference if you so choose."

Raye performs her music all over the United States and Europe. Her music has been featured on Billboard, Popmatters, Earmilk, Democracy Now! and on numerous lists of the best modern-day protest songs, including those by Paste Magazine, What Culture, and Overblown. She has also performed live sessions for Paste, Daytrotter, and FNX.

Raye has spoken on panels at Bonnaroo and SXSW on topics ranging from preventing sexual violence to engaging her fanbase as an independent artist. She has toured in support of Dispatch, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Kiefer Sutherland, William Elliott Whitmore, Dar Williams, Donovan Woods, and many more.

"Speaking truth to power, Raye Zaragoza is a voice made for our times." – PopMatters

Interview with Raye Zaragoza

Question: How would you describe your music?

Raye Zaragoza : Once someone called my music "Woke Folk." I really like that description!


Question: Can you tell us about Fight Like A Girl?

Raye Zaragoza : Fight Like A Girl is about shattering the idea of what a woman can and cannot do. It's about how "fighting like a girl" means something different to every female identifying person out there. It is about the resilience of women of color, and all women. It is time for feminism to include all women " Indigenous, Immigrant, Trans, and all those marginalized for their identities. This is the time for intersectional feminism and the youth will lead the way! "Fight Like A Girl!"


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Raye Zaragoza : I really hope my music can comfort those who feel like they don't belong and also ignite the fighter within them. I feel my greatest way of contributing to making the world a better place is comforting souls within it. I felt like such a lost misfit for most of my life, and music has given me so much solace. I hope to do that for others.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Raye Zaragoza : Definitely live! I've been performing on stage since I was 8 years old. The first time I was in a recording studio was about a decade later. So performing live definitely comes more natural to me!


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Raye Zaragoza : I honestly love performing whatever song I wrote last most. Whatever song that may be. It's always fun because you feel on the edge of your toes.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Raye Zaragoza : Maybe Norah Jones or Jewel. Or Avril Lavigne. The child inside of me would freak!


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Raye Zaragoza : Right now, I've been listening to Field Medic, Hayley Heynderickx, and Oshima Brothers on repeat!

Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Raye Zaragoza : The biggest challenge I think is the pressure to fit inside of a box. As a woman of color, I've felt that the music industry is constantly trying to present me in a way that is very one dimensional and tokenizing. But that is why I do my best to be outspoken and on the forefront of my own narrative.


Question: What's a typical day like, during COVID19?

Raye Zaragoza : My typical day has been getting up at 6:30am, then I do morning pages and a 20 minute meditation, then I exercise on Zoom with some friends, breakfast, practice guitar, do some song writing, lunch, and then do whatever other work I have to get done in the afternoon. In the evenings I either do a livestream concert, or a zoom call with friends or family. It's funny writing out a whole schedule that I really am sticking to because I've been on the road for so many years without a consistent schedule at all. Every day on tour is so different.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Raye Zaragoza : My favourite part is the live concerts, and meeting people who have been moved by my music. Hearing people sing along. The community aspect of music is intoxicating for me.


Question: What's next, for you?

Raye Zaragoza : My new record is coming out later this year! And then hopefully… back on the road!


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)
Raye Zaragoza : Patreon

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

 

Listen now on Spotify! 

Interview by Gwen van Montfort