Reylta is set to self-release her debut album 'Everything Unsaved Will Be Lost' in October.
The Galway alt-folk musician has captured the attention of Irish media with her singles ‘October’, ‘Lucifer’s Love / Leannán an Diabhail’, ‘Closer’, and ‘Sightseeing’, and the album -, which is years in the making - has been described as a “macabre lullaby.”
We caught up with Reylta to learn more.
1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Christina Aguilera's ‘Back to Basics’, Kelly Clarkson's ‘Breakaway’, 'Complicated' by Avril Lavigne, BellX1's ‘Flock’, and The Killers' ‘Hot Fuss’.
2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Get me out-there!
3. How do you wind down after a gig?
A drink (if I can make it that far) and sleep. I leave my whole self out on the stage so I have this rush for an hour after I get off, but by the time I'm packed up and outta there I crash HARD. I'm only a few chromosomes off being a cat who needs 12 hours of sleep.
4. What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
'Shape of My Heart' by Sting. Such a great use of simple metaphorical, conceptual writing. That guitar part is so iconic, the harmonica and that key change! Delicious.
5. What is your pet peeve?
People who talk about doing things and never actually do them. Just go for it; if you fail, you're further ahead than still talking about what could happen.
6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
'Lungs’ by Florence and The Machine rewired my brain.
'Dead Famous: Isaac Newton and his Apple’ by Kjartan Poskitt is a children's book about my science crush.
For the movie, ‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’ - a 1989 animated musical fantasy comedy-drama film that could teach a rock empathy.
7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Producer Shonda Rhimes, director Ari Aster, I play myself and Matthew Gray Gubler plays every love interest.
8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Sushi always - however, if it's late-night, shredded chicken satay and fried rice.
9. Describe your perfect day off.
Sleep in till 12, an Everything shower, new clothes to wear, out for lunch, back home to do some of my bits (songwriting, poster making, score writing), two hours of Hell's Kitchen, then a quiet pint that leads to getting home at 6 am.
10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig (whenever it may be.)
Reylta's Sunday Service: come repent, heal, and release your soul. My album launch gig is in the Unitarian Church, St. Stephen’s Green, 22nd of October.
BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.
‘This Podcast Will Kill You’ - investigates diseases through first-hand accounts, medical education, and historical context. The girls (Erin and Erin) are so lovely and it's not as dense as it seems; it's really approachable. It puts me straight to sleep (this is probably to do with my love of napping during biology classes... still did well, though).
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Reylta releases ‘Everything Unsaved Will Be Lost’ on October 13th and plays Dublin’s Unitarian Church on October 22nd.
