Daniyaal: Congratulations on your new single 'Peepin'. Tell us a bit about it?
Reysha: Thank you! I'm so happy to have it out and to see such a positive response to it after a pretty long hiatus of going six months without releasing any solo music. Peepin' was actually the first song that I've made in 2026 and is one of the few songs where the final version is very similar to the original demo, both in topline and production. Typically Dex and I will play around with completely changing and re-interpreting what production sounds like around a topline, but there was always something incredibly catchy about the playfulness of the Peepin' lyricism, especially paired with the xylophone-like synth sound that runs throughout the song. There's not really a deeper meaning to it and it's just a fun, flirty, catchy song, haha.
Daniyaal: Is music always something you wanted to do?
Reysha: Music was not something I always wanted to do; or maybe it's more accurate to say that entering the music industry was never something that I considered or entertained throughout my upbringing and early adulthood. It actually wasn't until I got to know Dex in 2016 that I was introduced to what making and recording music even were. I grew up singing in various facets throughout the years (Carnatic music, choir, musical theatre, and joining an a cappella group in college), but all of those revolved around music that was already created. I actually won best soloist at the ICCA semi-finals in 2016/2017 when we performed 'In The Name of Love' by Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix, LOL. I think you can find that performance on YouTube somewhere if you search for it…
Daniyaal: Looking back on your childhood and teenage years, were there any interests or memories that hinted at the artist you would become?
Reysha: I did win the 2013 high school superlative for 'most likely to win American Idol', LOL, so I guess there was perhaps some inclination that I would be performing! I think more than anything, my childhood and teenage years probably pointed more to an inclination for always singing for fun. I don't know if anyone that has known me since childhood would confidently say that they predicted what I'm currently doing. I don't really remember there being many examples of Indian-American people being in the entertainment industry when I was a kid, it really wasn't ever something I considered for myself. I do have a vivid memory from 2004 of me playing and singing along to Kelly Clarkson's 'Breakaway' album on my blue CD/tape player at maximum volume. That's a notable recollection of realising that I could keep a pitch well and mimic singing styles pretty accurately.
Daniyaal: You live in LA now but grew up in Minneapolis. What was it like growing up there?
Reysha: My parents did an incredible job of setting me up for a life of success and opportunity when they immigrated to Minneapolis. They both highly prioritised education and ingrained in me the mentality of delayed gratification. I think that perspective really plays a heavy hand in why I have the stamina to be an artist. In hindsight, I'd describe growing up in Minneapolis as: consistent, safe, and COLD.
Daniyaal: Your name and heritage are a part of your identity as an artist. Because of that, do you ever feel there's a certain expectation of how people think your music should sound before they actually hear it?
Reysha: Oh yes! I have to imagine a good amount of people assume I make some sort of pop/R&B fusion music, since we see a lot of that in the community. It's really fun to see people's initial reactions! In recent years, though, I've become more exposed to other Desi electronic artists that have really motivated me to continue in this direction.
Daniyaal: Outside of music, what people, films, fashion, art or experiences have had the biggest influence on the world you've created as Reysha Rami?
Reysha: Dex, my producer and boyfriend, is by far the largest influence person-wise. As I mentioned earlier, I would not be pursuing anything in the entertainment industry if I hadn't met him. More than that, though, we really operate as a band, where both of us have equal input in the creative ideas and direction for Reysha Rami. Although it's my face and personality that people see, the behind-the-scenes process is very influenced by him. It's an amazing and unique quality that we've been able to build such a beautiful relationship with each other while also being business partners, in a sense!
Daniyaal: You've mentioned artists like Cobrah and Kim Petras as inspirations. What is it about their music that resonates with you, and where do you think your own sound sets itself apart?
Reysha: I think it's so hot when femme artists are talking or rapping on an electro song. There's something rebellious about it to me since it goes against what you might perceive as traditional femininity, so to speak. In reference specifically to Cobrah and Kim, I think I see myself more so as maybe a blend of their music, where I've historically tended to have darker production like Cobrah but may approach it in a more playful vocal delivery like Kim? Don't hold me to that comment, though, because I'm questioning if that is actually true, lol. I also think there's an aspect of my ethnicity that maybe adds to a sense of uniqueness when you hear this type of sound from me. Maybe a little unexpected?
Daniyaal: You've built such a distinctive world around electronic sex music. How important is artist identity and branding to you, and do you draw the line between "Reysha Rami" the artist and Reysha the person, or are they interlinked?
Reysha: Thank you! I find a lot of freedom in approaching Reysha Rami as a hyperbolic version of my personality, more like a Sasha Fierce character in comparison to my own personality. I value having a good amount of separation between Reysha and Shreya so that I have balance in my life. Being an artist can be soooo superficial and narcissistic at times, so I have a lot of other things set in place that allow me to 'touch grass', metaphorically, and make sure I stay grounded. I think even in an interview like this, I'm perceiving myself to be coming off a lot more serious and perhaps boring than I think someone would expect me to be, if that makes sense?
Daniyaal: You describe electronic sex music as a world rather than just a sound. Is there a 'rulebook' for that universe, something that you consciously follow when writing or producing?
Reysha: Off the top of my head, some 'rules' that I have for this sound are: 1) No TikTok jargon lyrics (I'll sometimes phrase this to co-writers as wanting to avoid words that feel really timely). 2) Prioritising melody or cadence over lyrical content. 3) No trap high hats!
Daniyaal: I'm obsessed with your visuals! My favourite has to be "I Like It A Lot" with the silver body paint and vacuum. What's your creative process like when developing the visuals for a song?
Reysha: Thank you! That body paint took… forever. Endlessly grateful for my hair and make-up artist, Bear Campbell, who did all of the glam for the T0M F00LERY visuals (minus the black0ut feat. Six Sex visual, which was shot in London later on) by herself over an intense two-day shoot, and absolutely smashed it.For T0M F00LERY, the general theme for it was: how would an alien execute electronic music if they'd only heard the most extreme versions of it? That's why for I LIKE IT A LOT!, we went with the chrome body paint and uber-long platinum blonde wig while vacuuming weeds on a concrete surface. It just doesn't make sense, and it makes you do a double take. I love surrealism and the avant-garde, which I think Danielle King, my creative director, did a phenomenal job of building the TF visual world around.
Daniyaal: You've talked about how your visuals exist in the same cinematic universe. Is there a character or visual you've created that is your favourite from this universe so far?
Reysha: I think FREAKEE is my favourite visual character! Again, shout-out to Bear for painting my body white for that look (not an easy feat on brown skin, and also when you are racing against the Peerspace clock…) and to my stylists Rumsha Hassan and Destiny Valentine. Rumsha and Destiny literally made that white dress in real time with a dog cone, white fabric, safety pins, and a vision.
Daniyaal: "Blackout" has become such a fan favourite, and you even got Six Sex on a remix. How did that collaboration come about?
Reysha: Six Sex posted a story to black0ut in late 2023 or early 2024 and tagged me in it, which is how I was first introduced to her. I think I messaged her in late 2024 asking if she would want to feature on a remix of black0ut, and she sent back her vocals pretty shortly after that! I'd been talking with a few independent dance labels at that time and there was a push to include the original black0ut on my album, since it was clearly my most well-known song, but I was always resistant to doing that because it felt like a move that was only focused on optics and automatically giving the album however many million streams it had at that point. Releasing a new remix version felt like a happy compromise for still giving black0ut the second push that it deserved.
Daniyaal: You and Dex have made so much magic together. What's it like working with Dex? Do you have a favourite memory from working together in the studio?
Reysha: So much magic! He's the absolute best. No one has or ever will know me as well as he knows me, and that only helps in making music together. One of my favorite studio memories with him is Super Bowl Sunday 2023 when we made black0ut, which I distinctly remember because it was the first time we tried making a house song together, and I had to step out of the studio to watch Rihanna’s halftime show(because duh). He had just made the switch from using Logic to Ableton and wanted to try making a house song with a repetitive one-line hook. We put down the vocal for the chorus 'blackout the room make the bass go boom' and I stepped out to watch the half-time show, which irritated him because he wanted to finish the song ASAP, haha. He was telling me that I was just going to not come back to writing the second verse, so I of course had to prove him wrong with that, and we ended up finishing it that same day. Those vocals in the final song are the demo vocals, and I think it's just one vocal throughout the song, too. Another fun aspect of black0ut is that the vocal was sped up by 1bpm after recording it, which gives the topline a little bit of character!
Daniyaal: Reflecting on your breakthrough moments with "TurnMeOn.virus" and "Blackout", how do you compare your growth as an artist since then? What do you wish you knew back then that you know now?
Reysha: I actually feel like I know now what I knew then, which is: things take time and you have no idea what song will gain traction and have a moment, or when it will happen. Both of those songs did not perform well post-release. I was stoked when black0ut hit 1,000 streams three weeks post-release. I had no idea that it would get to where it is today, and that's a big part of the magic that I think even allowed us to make it and TURNMEON.virus. We just made what we thought sounded fun, cool, and different from what we were hearing around us. Sometimes I even envy how fun and free-form the Reysha project was during that 2022/2023 period, because it really was just me and Dex making whatever the hell we wanted to (still true) with zero expectations. Now that I have an artist identity established to an extent, it can sometimes feel constraining in making new music because there needs to be a level of sonic and visual consistency.
Daniyaal: You toured last year and even played my home town of Glasgow! What was the experience of touring like for you, and did you have a favourite city or standout memory?
Reysha: I absolutely loved Glasgow! The drive from Manchester to Glasgow was just… so beautiful. Touring the UK was crazy cool. It's still bonkers to me that there were enough people who listened to my music to justify bringing me all the way there to perform. Such a big moment for me, and I'm so grateful to Belle at Beg4U for bringing me out and taking such good care of me in London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Daniyaal: How has pursuing music changed your relationships with the people who've known you the longest? Have any of their reactions surprised you along the way?
Reysha: I think all of my friends were a bit surprised when they first heard my music! They've all been so supportive of me, but I will say that I also really forced myself not to expect that my friends and acquaintances will be listeners or fans of my music. If my friends love my catalogue or a specific song, great! If they haven't ever listened to any of my music because they don't listen to electronic music, great! Even though most of my closest friends are also in the industry, our friendships are built on our personal lives that are outside of our music identities.
Daniyaal: It's Pride Month! You have such a huge queer fanbase. Do you have a message for the gays this month?
Reysha: You have impeccable taste in music <3
Daniyaal: One of your fans, Rohan (@r0hans), has a question for you:
"Hi Reysha! Are there any songs you've leaked on the vault that could be released in the near future? I especially love 'dive in!' and 'I'M NOT MAD!'"
Reysha: Oh my gosh! I met Rohan at the London show last year and he gifted me a beautiful note and a necklace that has a mini vinyl of my first EP "S&M" artwork. I still have both! Dex visibly teared up when I showed them. It really was such a touching moment for me.I need to go back into the Vault and see what all nonsense I was teasing in there. Honestly, those songs will probably not come out in those versions, but they're both produced by Nick Booth, who worked on 'I LIKE IT A LOT!' and also produced a song on my upcoming EP that you will love ;)That being said, if Rohan or anyone does want particular demos that I've shared, DM me and I'll probably send them to you! No point in hoarding all these songs for myself, haha.
Daniyaal: Artistically, what else does Reysha want to try?
Reysha: I would love to find a way to incorporate more singing and melody into my toplines while still feeling like Reysha. I get so overly analytical the moment I begin singing into the mic that it just immediately is not fun any more. That's why I've leaned into talk-singing so heavily thus far in this project. I think listeners may also want to hear a little bit more vocal variety, too, per the reviews that I saw for T0M F00LERY on albumoftheyear.org 😉
Daniyaal: DominAsian has a sneak peek of your next project. Can you give your fans a little hint about what's to come?
Reysha: We're in rollout mode, Reybies!! You can expect a couple more singles for the summer before having a cute little EP to carry you for the year. Depending on when this interview is published, you may already know about the 'LOOK!' EP, which is being announced on 30th June. I'm so excited about all of the visuals that are coming with this project, too. There are no full music videos (sorry, still independent) but Danielle and I have a plethora of very cunty short-form videos that are almost like advertisements for Reysha Rami as a whole.Streaming link for the next single, Like All Night (releases 10th July): hereDepending on publishing date, we could post a clip of the song as an exclusive preview for it; I'll send you the official artwork for it, hopefully, by end of day 22nd/23rd June!
Daniyaal: Finally, is there something about you that your fans and readers would probably never guess? Maybe a hidden talent, a hobby, or just a fun fact that rarely comes up in interviews?
Reysha: I have been waiting for someone to ask me this, LOL — even my manager was like "WHAT" when I told him this: my favourite film is Die Hard. My favourite TV shows are Shark Tank and SpongeBob. My all-time favourite albums are: Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves, Born and Raised + The Search for Everything by John Mayer, and Rainbow Valley by Matt Corby. Other notable favourites are: Alpha Zulu by Phoenix, Hero by Family of the Year, Jeffer by Boys Noize, and Pepper by Flowdan/Lil Baby/Skrillex.
