Photo by Madison Bell
Welcome to 'Artist Spotlight' our new series where we introduce you to fresh and exciting artists you need to hear now!
Our first pick for "Artist Spotlight" is Vancouver, BC-based alternative rock artist FKA Rayne. In an exclusive interview, we discuss FKA Rayne's musical influences, dream collaborations, style inspirations, and more. Additionally, we asked FKA Rayne to pick three of her favorite 'The Pretty Cult' items from our store and provide a style guide.
Read the interview and view the style guide below!
Who are your biggest influences musically?
FKA Rayne: Sonically, I've been very influenced by Loathe's album I Let It In and It Took Everything lately, as well as Spiritbox, Thornhill, and Three Days Grace. Thematically, I've always been very drawn to horror movies. Reanimator, American Mary, Teeth. I really love how horror, especially body horror, revels in the discomfort and disgust of the viewer. I always try to infuse some of that wrong grossness into my lyrics.
Is there any particular artist/band you would dream of collaborating on a song with?
FKA Rayne: I would love to do a collab with Trent Reznor! I'm a big fan of Nine Inch Nails, and I think we could create a really cool industrial metal song about being eaten by worms or something. His music always makes me feel like I'm digging my way out of a grave that I was buried alive under, so that feels fitting.
What is your dream Tour Lineup?
FKA Rayne: I'm traveling through Germany. It's a very crisp autumn, and I'm playing with my best friends (My Chemical Romance). We eat Thai food every night for dinner and have never had any issues with our in-ear monitor rigs. More realistically, I would LOVE to tour with Spiritbox (fellow BC musicians!), and Bad Omens. I saw Spiritbox perform at the Tacoma Dome recently, and it was incredible! Courtney is such a dynamic singer, and everyone's performance was super tight! I'll be the opener. You don't even have to pay me. I'll stow away in a pelican case and survive off of crumbs and white monsters if I have to.
What is your favorite song you have released so far, and why?
FKA Rayne: It's hard to pick a favourite but I would say it's probably "WOOF!" It's for sure my favourite to perform live. The song is about a time I was barked at and chased by a group of teenage boys. It was a shitty, weird moment where I really felt powerless in the sense that I didn't know how to respond. It's been really cool being able to turn that moment into an anthem that people bark along to.
Who would you say is the biggest style icon for you?
FKA Rayne: I have been told that I dress like the daughter of Trinity from The Matrix and a crow. I love a leather trench, dark sunglasses, and platforms paired with too much silver jewelry.
How do you put together your stage outfits before a show?
FKA Rayne: I'm a bit chaotic with my stage outfit acquisition and have a habit of realizing that I need a new stage outfit the day before a show. I then frantically drive to 5 different thrift stores looking for something that I can cover in fake blood and feel semi-comfortable jumping around in. As I headline more shows, I want to start getting into having a different theme for each performance. I have one soon where I'll be dressed as a nurse, and my band members are my patients. But really, so long as I'm covered in blood, I'm happy.
What Does a day in the life of FKA Rayne look like? Any hobbies outside of music?
FKA Rayne: I wake up at around 8:30 and go on Instagram. I immediately regret it as I begin to feel my brain start eating itself for more scrolling dopamine. I then go to my studio, feed my bearded dragon Jeff, a nice salad, and make myself breakfast. I do music full time, which means I spend most of my days looking for grants to apply to (Thank you FACTOR Canada, Music BC, and Creative BC), submitting for festivals/any show opportunities, making "content," going back and forth with producers, directors, and editors to get songs and videos completed, and putting together anything I need to be ready for my next song roll out!
I teach voice lessons 2 days a week, and I usually have an acoustic cover gig on the weekend. When I'm not working on music or teaching, I really enjoy making things with my hands, especially clothes or accessories. I love thrifting, but it's not always easy to find things that match my style, so I frequently alter them. I'll thrift a sweater and embroider barbed wire on it, attach a bunch of old chains, safety pins, and necklaces to a blazer, or chop up dresses and skirts and sew them back together.
What can fans expect next from FKA Rayne?
FKA Rayne: I plan to have an EP out by the end of 2025, so stay tuned for that! I also hope to eventually tour. Unfortunately, it probably won't be in the States due to the current Visa process for Canadians (iykyk), but I hope to make it there eventually!
Following the interview, we asked FKA Rayne to pick three items from 'The Pretty Cult' store and do a style guide. See below!
The Seer dress - I would style the Seer dress with a leather or latex garter harness, big platform heels, and a long leather trench. For accessories, I'd wear a fishnet under the dress and a stack of thick silver necklaces and bracelets.
Van Helsing Top - Tank tops are very underrated, in my opinion. I love layering them on top of mesh/fishnet sleeves for a different vibe. I'd style the Van Helsing top with some ripped tights turned into sleeves, an underbust corset or harness, and a mini skirt alongside my Jadon harness boots.
Scythe Running Short - I like to try and look cute when I go to the gym to make up for how sad I look running on the elliptical. I'd pair these with platform Converse, some large hole fishnets, and whatever cropped band Tee is on top of my laundry pile- more often than not, I wear my own merch, haha.
Watch the music video for "WOOF" by, FKA Rayne Below
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