RAEGAN Unleashes a Tale of Empowerment in “MEAN”
Photo by RAEGAN
Queer alt-pop trailblazer RAEGAN has released her new alluring single “MEAN” which was created as a confidence booster that sees the songstress reclaim her emotions, and its sound exudes an infectious energy that immerses listeners in an eerie and seductive energy.
“From feuding hearts to sultry nights, ‘MEAN’ weaves a tale of empowerment and desire, reminding us that beneath the surface of conflict lies a passion waiting to be ignited,” RAEGAN says.
“MEAN” is RAEGAN’s second single from her forthcoming EP, as she released “WALTZ” earlier this summer with an accompanying music video that portrays a carefully crafted lesbian retelling of Romeo & Juliet.
“My main inspiration for my EP is representing myself through my music,” RAEGAN says. “I’ve changed a lot since I started making music and I’ve found my voice, now I just want to share it.”
When RAEGAN creates music, she warps her reality into a twisted scene: writing honestly about her experience in an all new, cinematic form. A longtime actor and performer, RAEGAN’s experience in musical theater has lent her writing an epic scope – in many ways she is merely method acting through song, spinning her personality into a sonic form.
Amidst the swirling atmosphere of teenage angst, shadowy harmonies, and spectral self-expression, we find RAEGAN and her strong personality right at the center. Weird, wonderful, and witty, her self-produced soundscapes illustrate her personal experiences piecing through a life that is equally as invigorating as it is anxiety-inducing. RAEGAN often mentions that she thinks through energies, striving to capture her core essence through all new sound waves. Blending disparate styles with breathless ease, RAEGAN’s unique combination of glitchy beats and euphoric strings reveal the inner workings of her mind.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Thank you for sitting down and talking to Unpublished Magazine. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar yet, what inspires your artistic style and creative persona?
[RAEGAN]: My creative persona is all the sides of myself. I like to represent myself as a whole through my music. I’m attracted to very theatrical settings and eerie environments which leads my artistic style to be a bit dark and strange.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Say if someone hasn't heard your music yet, which song would you introduce them to that best encapsulates your artistic maturity and sound?
[RAEGAN]: Hmmm this is a hard question… for the songs I’ve released so far, I’d have to say either “MEAN” or “WALTZ” because they represent my new era of music.
[UNPUBLISHED]: When you’re writing, are you pulling from personal experience or is it general storytelling?
[RAEGAN]: Honestly both. It usually starts with my personal experiences and then I sometimes exaggerate and create metaphors for how I feel.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are some artists you take inspiration from, either lyrically or instrumentally?
[RAEGAN]: I grew up listening to Marina and the Diamonds, Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator and Broadway soundtracks. So those artists definitely subconsciously inspired my music style.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Your latest single “MEAN” just released and a huge congratulations is in order. What is the inspiration behind the single and what did the creative process look like for you?
[RAEGAN]: I was actually in a hotel room when I made this song. I was feeling very down and annoyed about my relationship. I kept catching my partner at the time talking to their ex behind my back. So to take charge of the situation, I created this song about how their ex doesn’t hate me, they just secretly want to be with me… so it boosted my confidence and I stopped caring about both of them after that.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What messages, emotions or story do you hope listeners can take away from “MEAN?”
[RAEGAN]: I hope this song makes people feel hot, sexy and like a bad bitch because that’s exactly how it makes me feel.
[UNPUBLISHED]: “MEAN” chronicles messages of empowerment and desire. What are some ways you channel personal empowerment outside the studio?
[RAEGAN]: Honestly, I feel most empowered when I listen to my music and when I work hard. I feel most satisfied when my work ethic is at 100%, it makes me feel like my future is in my hands and I’m not only an artist but an entrepreneur.
[UNPUBLISHED]: “MEAN” is a sneak peek of your upcoming EP release alongside your single “WALTZ.” What can listeners expect from this new era of music?
[RAEGAN]: Expect my new music era to give pop star cunt. This EP represents who I am now and it will hand feed my listeners confidence.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Do “MEAN” and “WALTZ” set a tone for the rest of the project to follow?
[RAEGAN]: Yes for sure, every song on this project is very unique in its own way but they all have a common thread tying them together.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is the inspiration behind the upcoming EP?
[RAEGAN]: My main inspiration for my EP is representing myself through my music. I’ve changed a lot since I started making music and I’ve found my voice, now I just want to share it.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are you most excited for fans to experience for this EP?
[RAEGAN]: Definitely the title song of this project “FUCK RAEGAN.” I can’t wait for people to hear and experience that song.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the upcoming year look like for you that you would love to share with Unpublished?
[RAEGAN]: This era I’m in right now is all about hard work. Realizing talent will never be enough and that I have to work day and night if I want to make something happen. In the upcoming year, expect to see me everywhere. I will be a year older and wiser, and millions of steps ahead of where I am now, with still billions of steps to go.
