While at the Mercury Prize red carpet, Raye has spoken to NME about her epic slot at Glastonbury, and discussed the overwhelming support for her debut album ‘My 21st Century Blues’.
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00:00 - Hey, welcome.
00:00 - Hello, how you doing?
00:02 - I'm doing very well.
00:03 How are you feeling today?
00:04 - I'm feeling so good, so good and so hot.
00:09 Not like, I mean like sweaty hot, yeah.
00:12 - I feel like we've only just spoken to you,
00:15 like when you were first nominated as being shortlisted.
00:19 What's it like for you?
00:20 - I think maybe the reality of it is setting a bit more.
00:23 I was saying, I've just reflected over the last
00:24 kind of two years.
00:26 I feel like the artist I was two years ago,
00:30 or at least that the artist I was perceived
00:32 as being two years ago would never have been
00:34 taken seriously enough to be nominated for a Mercury Prize.
00:37 So that in itself, I think, you know,
00:41 when I really think about it,
00:42 I didn't think it would be possible to be able to
00:44 almost have a fresh start and go again as an artist.
00:48 Yeah.
00:49 - I feel like it's been a couple of months
00:51 since you put your album out.
00:53 What's it been like the response for you?
00:54 Did it catch you off guard?
00:56 Is it all that you hoped for it to be?
00:58 - Yeah, all I hoped and way more.
01:00 It superseded all my expectations,
01:02 even being here, do you know what I mean,
01:03 as part of that, I think, yeah, I just didn't know,
01:08 you know, it's found its way to so many ears of,
01:10 and I've been able to really grow my fan base, I think,
01:14 which I don't even like calling them fans,
01:15 but like listeners and people who really care
01:17 about this music.
01:18 And also I think I've been so honest in the lyrics,
01:22 it's given it a chance for people to get to know me
01:25 more or properly or, you know, in some of my deepest stories.
01:28 Oh yeah, it's been real.
01:29 The experience has been real and really beautiful
01:31 and really beyond anything I could have asked for.
01:35 - 'Cause I feel like it must be so tough
01:37 to put yourself out there in a way,
01:38 especially with your debut album.
01:39 What was that like for you to sort of tell your story?
01:42 - Some days it's very empowering.
01:46 I think some days it can be more tough,
01:48 but you know, also it's like super honest.
01:51 I think it depends like where my mind sets at the time.
01:53 It's sometimes I'll cut songs from the set
01:56 if it's like I can't do it today.
01:57 But yeah, it's just honest.
02:01 I keep saying that word a lot,
02:03 but it's a promise I made to myself
02:05 when I started my new chapter
02:07 is I really wanna be an honest artist.
02:09 Honesty isn't always pretty, it's not always easy,
02:11 it's not always attractive, it's not always cute,
02:13 but that's what I wanna be
02:15 and continue to be as an artist, yeah.
02:18 - Speaking of honesty and the vulnerability
02:20 in your performances,
02:20 we have to talk about your slot at Glastonbury.
02:23 I feel like that was such a standout moment.
02:26 I feel like that was not only moving for you,
02:29 but everyone in the crowd, I was there watching you.
02:31 Everyone seemed so just on your wavelength,
02:34 everyone seemed to resonate with you so well.
02:36 What was it like seeing that response?
02:38 - It was, I think that slot alone was a joke.
02:42 Pyramid stage, joke.
02:44 Yeah, that was just nuts.
02:47 I was nervous.
02:48 I was very nervous,
02:51 but I was so blown away with the turnout.
02:54 It was ridiculous.
02:55 Yeah, that's a bucket list thing right there.
02:58 I did not see it coming.
03:00 And yeah, that entire day was just a dream, yeah.
03:05 Crazy, crazy.
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