REIGEN is a Brooklyn based singer-songwriter and producer who creates hook-laden, heart driven synth pop.
Cinematic lyrics, eclectic electronica and REIGEN’s smooth, bright vocals make intense, beautiful moments come to life: emotions flow from thrilling excitement to deep nostalgia as the music morphs from hard dance to pulsing synth ballads.
REIGEN’s blend of influences — most clearly new wave, disco, R&B and modern pop — has been compared to Mika, BØRNS and Sam Smith.
I want to take you to far off places, touch your heart and make you dance for your life” — REIGEN.
Over the past two years, REIGEN has released several singles and been featured on dozens of local and international music media, including A Music Blog, Yea?, BronxnetTV, Son of Marketing and Sodwee.
In this interview we discuss influences, his newest project, and challenges faced as an indie musician in a digital era.
Full Q&A as well as streams and links below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
Soon after moving to New York, I fell in love with the energy and freedom of New York dance floors and the music that makes those moments so magical.
I want to add my voice to make people feel alive, give the deep feels and share love vibrations.
I’m really excited about my latest release Seize the Night. It’s my first collaboration with producer Data Child aka Chrissy Tignor Fisher and it’s all about putting yourself out there for love.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
I released my first song, ROLL, an ode to ‘tha club’ and #doingyou about 4 years ago and started performing live about 3 years ago when I had written more songs like my equality anthem Real New Yorker which I released a video for last September.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
As a writer I love to get lost in my imagination and often have detailed cinematic stories that inspire the songs I write. I love to research different time periods of history, artists, the wonders of science and space exploration to get inspired. Around the facts, I’ll imagine a story that will inspire a song. The story doesn’t usually fully come thru in the song, but I think these intense backstories give them more life.
Seize the Night is actually based around two Las Vegas kitchen workers in the 1960s, but I think the song, like love, is universal.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
This is my first collaboration with an outside producer and I was so excited to work with Data Child because she has a really cool aesthetic. Musically, this song is optimistic and energetic in a way that feels very authentic to me as a person and I am excited to share that positive vibe with everyone who listens.
What was the last song you listened to?
Enemiez by Keke Palmer – it’s the remix version with Rich Homie Quan – it’s been on repeat for weeks!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I just got my first Vinyl – a vintage copy of Donna Summer’s greatest hits – but I don’t have a record player to hear it yet so I’ll have to say MP3’s for now!
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I use Spotify and Apple Music – not sure which I prefer 🙂
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
I think it’s incredible to live at a time where I can easily make my music available to the entire world and I’m always so grateful for publications like this one that help me highlight my work to a new audience.
I’m constantly trying new things both with my sound and with ways of sharing my work so I’ll have to check back in when I find what works the best. 🙂
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
My new show is October 21st at Pianos in New York. You can follow me on Facebook or sign up for my email list to find out about upcoming shows!
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
I have a bunch of videos on YouTube, several songs on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and a few early songs on Soundcloud that you can’t find anywhere else. Here are links so you can picks your poison:
- Apple Music + iTUNES
- Spotify
- Youtube
- Soundcloud
- My official site
- My artist Facebook
- My personal Facebook
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
KEEP GOING! Everyone has their own special talent and passion and nobody is going to the change the world the way that YOU are.
