FEATURE:
Spotlight
Reigns
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THE terrific Reigns…
is in this Spotlight feature. I am going to come to some intervbiew with this Essex-born artist. Her latest single, Everybody Falls Part Sometimes, is phenomenal. The first of a couple of interviews I want to drop in is from Absolutely Magazine. I am relatively new to Reigns, but I really do love everything about her music. I am excited about her debut album coming. What that might be like. Such a phenomenal artist who I would also love to see live one day:
“You’ve spoken proudly about being from Essex – how did growing up in the county shape your confidence, identity, or attitude as an artist?
Growing up in Essex gave me a real sense of confidence and self-belief. Being nearly 6ft and singing soul definitely made me stand out, but my roots taught me not to care about being a bit different from my mates. Essex has a natural confidence and drive to it – a lot of that East End spirit runs through the place and that’s something I’ve always carried with me. It pushed me to trust my instincts, stay in my own lane, and keep backing my passion, even when it wasn’t the obvious path!
What were your earliest musical memories growing up – was there a moment where you first thought, “music could be my thing”?
Some of my earliest musical memories are wrapped up in my dad’s vinyl collection. I was basically spoon-fed soul classics from a really young age – the kind of records you grow up feeling before you understand them. I was singing along to voices like Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin before I could barely walk, and it just felt instinctive. Looking back, that was probably the first moment music stopped feeling like background noise and started feeling like something that belonged to me.
Those classic soul voices taught me that singing isn’t about sounding perfect – it’s about telling the truth. When I listened to Janis Joplin or Aretha Franklin, it felt like they weren’t just singing songs, they were singing feelings – every word meant something, and you could hear it in their voice. That level of emotion, where a song can take you somewhere or hit you in the chest, is something I’ve carried with me. When I sing now, I always want it to feel real – like I’m giving a piece of myself, not just performing a lyric.
Tracks like Collateral Damage and Closer Than Your Shadow feel very emotionally open – where does that honesty come from, and was it always easy to write that way?
It’s generally a collaboration with my producer, a small seed that takes a life of its own. Collateral Damage was very much about a toxic situationship that needed to get in the bin, we started with that idea and then the rest just flowed, pulling in my story and my producer/ co-writer helping me carve it into shape. It’s always honest and authentic in the source.
Closer Than Your Shadow was a song I’d heard via my producer that I wanted to get involved with. We tried a few versions over the years, I just automatically felt attached to it and wanted to bring it to life. It was actually a ballad, but we crafted it into a cinematic drum and bass vibe- firstly as an experiment, then we couldn’t hear it any other way, even though it has a drum and bass groove it seems to sit well amongst my other tunes, like it was always meant to be.
You built a huge connection with fans through daily TikTok performances. At what point did you realise people weren’t just watching – they were really listening?
Ah man, where do I begin? TikTok has been THE most incredible platform for me over the last year. It started off with me doing a couple of live streams, singing a few originals and some of my favourite covers, and then suddenly all these incredible viewers started turning up and getting involved! What really got me was when people began requesting my original songs more than the covers – that was the moment I realised they were actually listening and vibing. This whole little community just built naturally, and it’s been the best thing ever as an independent artist. Seeing those same people then come to my headline shows and sing lyrics at the top of their lungs to songs that aren’t even released yet, just from hearing them on TikTok Lives? Mad! I’ll genuinely never get over that feeling. It still surprises me every single time.
With your debut album Love Languages on the horizon, what do you hope listeners understand about you that they maybe don’t yet?
That music is therapy and my album is authentically me. If it troubles me, excites me and makes me feel something, I write about it – and my album is the highlight.
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I will end with this interview. Earlier this month, Original Rock.net spent some time in the company of the terrific Reigns. Do make sure that you go and follow her. I wonder whether there are live dates coming in the summer. I would love to see her perform:
“Soul powerhouse Reigns isn’t standing still. Fresh from touring with Rebecca Ferguson, racking up viral moments, and launching her own record label, the singer-songwriter is stepping into a bold new era with her latest single, Heels Running, releasing July 24th.
Equal parts sass, soul and self-belief, the track is an anthem for walking away with your head held high – and maybe in a fabulous pair of heels.
With a drag-filled music video promising maximum drama and a fanbase that’s backing her every step of the way, Reigns talks about finding freedom as an independent artist, why live performance is where the magic happens, and why her music will always wear its heart on its sleeve.
You’re in a pretty unstoppable run right now, with viral hits and a string of tours under your belt. What’s actually changed for you over the last year?
So much! I think setting up my own label has put me in a different headspace, I can actually make things happen and that is a game changer.
You’ve just been on the road with jazz-soul star Rebecca Ferguson. What did that tour teach you that the studio never could?
It’s a different pace, a different world, I love them both but singing live to a captive audience is what it’s all about for me, the connection between the song and the audience is incredible to witness and feel
What’s your standout song to perform right now – and why does it hit differently live?
Everybody falls apart sometimes and my next single ‘Heels Running’, they are opposite ends of the spectrum but they both hit hard for very different reasons
Your upcoming video features drag performers from across the UK. What does that bring to the story of the track?
THE DRAMA- they were here for it and I loved every minute. SASSY personified
What energy were you chasing with the video – and why did drag culture feel like the right world for it?
You’re building serious momentum right now. How would you define this current Reigns era in your own words – and why is this next release a key moment?
I feel things have shifted and we’re moving in all the right directions, it’s taken a minute but something definitely feels different, the fans have made this happen (Reigns Rebels) they are the best form of PR an artist could ask for, sharing videos, songs, posts etc and showing up, come rain or shine they’re with me all the way
Your music is raw, soulful, and very open. Is it fair to say it’s as much emotional release as it is ambition for you?
In one! Absolutely, music is my therapy, me and the songs always lay our cards on the table
What’s something people constantly get wrong or don’t realise about you as an artist?
My artist project is not a dance project, it’s blues- infused soulful pop. People often expect me just to sing dance tracks. I’ve featured on a few, and I’m very grateful for what those features have brought me – but my artist project is where my truth live”.
I am going to finish off here I think. Go and follow Reigns and keep a track of her. I think she will have dates later in the year, so do go and see her if you can. If you have not heard of this tremendous artist then go and check her out, as she is very special. A terrific voice in British music, there is nobody quite like her. You just know that the wonderful Reigns is going to have a very long career and some golden moments. She is an artist with…
A major talent.
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