Raven Numan Talks Debut Single, Her Voice And More

Beguiling 20-year-old newcomer Raven Numan has her debut single ‘My Reflection’ out now with more new music on the horizon. She chatted to JLTT about her new music, her voice and a lot more: 

Your debut single ‘My Reflection’ is out now. What is the story/inspiration behind the track and who did you write it/collaborate with?

I wrote My Reflection in February of 2021, I was 17 and was absolutely sick and tired of everything; myself, the people around me, LA, earth, just everything. Mostly because of Covid, it took a huge toll on my mental health, we were pretty much trapped inside for almost a whole year at that point. I started to feel incredibly depressed, I didn’t like the way I looked; my body, face even little details that no one else could see, I didn’t like the way I dressed, I just didn’t like myself. I started to compare myself to other girls on social media, it became some sort of obsession. I felt very insecure with myself and how I looked. I struggled with talking about my emotions so I poured out everything I was feeling onto a sheet of paper and turned it into a song. My Reflection is a very vulnerable and intimate song, so many women go through the exact same thing which is so unfortunate but it’s a harsh world and this is the reality of what millions of girls go through.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the track’s recording sessions?

I can’t really remember funny or memorable situations from the My Reflection recording sessions because it was quite a long time ago. I do remember Ade trying to film me on his phone while I was recording another song and claiming that he was a “technical genius” although I had to explain to him that if you face the front camera towards you, it still films you and not the wall LOL. Or! When I was trying to sing a very promiscuous line and I heard him through my headphones saying “Ooooo that was very dirtyyyy”, it genuinely made me cry tears of laughing because it was so unexpected, I think he may have kept my laugh in the song as well haha.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

Well, since the title of the song is called ‘My Reflection’ I wanted to be surrounded by a room full of mirrors. My creative director, Fayce Purcell, got in contact with two incredible directors, Joe wood and Kassandra Powell. They helped come up with quite a few ideas based around my mirror idea, me turning into a witchy raven was one of them. When people watch the music video, I want them to come up with their own ideas and opinions on what the video is about. It’s open for interpretation 🙂

What is your earliest musical memory?

I remember being very little, around 2 years old and my mum was driving her small black Chrysler when she put on ‘What you waiting for?’ by Gwen Stefani. It literally changed my life, my 2 year old mind was BLOWN away. And when I watched the music video for it, I swear I kept rewatching it for hours. I’ll always love Gwen, she’s amazing.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones?

Yes, I do! I absolutely loveeeeeee the guitar (specifically the Stratocaster) and the piano, they’re such beautiful instruments. They add a whole different layer of beauty to the songs.

Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and Europe?

It’s being talked about 🙂 live shows are very important to me and I’m really looking forward to playing more shows as soon as possible. It’s all very exciting.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

This is a bit difficult since I was born in London but raised in LA, but seeing as my formative years were spent in California I’ll go with that as my home. And the words I’d use to describe it are: unique, exciting , shady, friendly, and warm.

Do you have any further music releases planned such as more singles, EP or an album?

There’s definitely more songs to come, 2024 is going to be very exciting for me, we have big plans for this year. Right now I’m especially looking forward to April and May, that’s when the next two singles will be released.

What music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have any recommendations?

I enjoy a ton of different types of music. Like everyone I’ve got my happy songs, sad songs, hype songs, as well as more than my fair share of “burn the world down” songs. I think what I enjoy listening to changes day by day or even sometimes hour by hour. The genres I gravitate to are usually: Industrial, Alternative, Nu-metal, and Hip-Hop. As for recommendations, Nine Inch Nails (favourite band of all time), Mazzy Star (Ethereal), Beyoncé (The Queen), Lana Del Rey (one of the greatest lyricists of all time), Kendrick (his ability to tell such a vivid story is bar none). I also love Deftones, Elita, Michael Jackson, Yeat and Nirvana and so many more.

How do you look after your voice?

Being English, I drink a lot of tea, especially ginger and lemon with some honey for my throat and as much water as I can handle (although honestly I prefer Dr. Pepper)

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope I’m able to leave my audience feeling excited, happy and fulfilled. I also hope that I push myself to give them my absolute best and put on a show that they’ll remember. Overall, I want everyone, including myself, to leave very happy.

What makes Raven Numan happy and what makes you unhappy?

I love animals (I’m somewhat of a cat lady), my family, my boyfriend, my bedroom, writing music, rain, and traveling (especially going on tour with my parents) Those things are what make me the happiest!

Not being in my bedroom, with my family or not being around my animals definitely makes me unhappy. I truly enjoy staying at home, watching movies, hanging with my sisters, reading horror books and writing music. My bedroom is my safe space.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By PR

Raven Numan’s debut single ‘My Reflection’ is out now on BMG.

Stream here: https://raven.lnk.to/MyReflectionID

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravennuman/?hl=en

X: https://twitter.com/raven_numan