Some artists are willing to truly dive into their craft in every medium. They explore more than just sounds, or visuals, or emotions. Everything they create goes into their artistry. Our recent discovery REII is a perfect example of this.
Enjoy our conversation with the innovative artist upon the release of her debut single “Carrie” here:
1. What are your earliest memories of music and when did you first discover songwriting as a form of expression?
My love for singing and performing started as a kid, putting on plays with my siblings and cousins (which I wrote and directed, of course). I spent my school years immersed in acting and musical theatre, and by high school, I’d discovered poetry and was writing every day.
Then, for about a decade, the writing stopped flowing through me. I honestly didn’t think it would ever return.
In 2024, I started dream journaling and discovered Mac Miller, particularly his later albums, which became a huge inspiration. Suddenly, the poetry came rushing back, but this time something was different—my poetry was telling me it wanted to be music.
I followed my intuition, and it eventually led me to my producer and collaborator, Cat Madden.
Less than two years later, I’ve released my debut single, “CARRIE,” with my first EP, Seen, releasing this fall and my debut full-length album set for summer 2027.
2. What does the name REII come to be, and how did your artistic identity develop?
REII is based on one of my family nicknames, so the name feels really special and precious to me.
In some ways, she’s my alter ego: playful, mischievous, badass, and expressive in all the ways I’ve always wanted to be.
REII gives me the freedom to say exactly what I want, however I want, and create without limitations. I want to write music across every and any genre, and maybe make some new ones up as I go!
3. What draws you toward darker themes, humour, and emotionally expressive music?
I’ve always loved dark comedy, both in movies and in my own sense of humour. I think laughter is an incredibly powerful way to release pain and trauma, allowing our bodies to shake those feelings loose and make room for freedom.
Rather than ignoring darkness, I’m interested in breaking it down and rearranging it into an unexpected source of light and empowerment.
I love that music can hold all of it: darkness, humour, vulnerability, and joy.
4. What inspires your songwriting, and how does an idea become a finished song?
New song ideas come to me through so many different avenues. For heavier material, it’s usually whatever emotion or experience I’m working through. My more upbeat, funny music can be inspired by something as simple as a new crush, a funny word, or a single line that sparks an entire silly song.
I usually start with lyrics, then sit at my keyboard and sing until the melodies reveal themselves. Once I have that first version, I bring it to Cat, and we build an entire sonic world around what I’ve written.
5. What inspired “CARRIE” and its theatrical, horror-inspired world?
“CARRIE” came from a place of wanting to transform old wounds into something empowering.
Writing it was actually quite emotional for me. I had to put the song away for about a month, and it wasn’t until I returned to it from a more grounded place that I was able to finish it.
I wanted to take something painful and turn it into something unexpected: theatrical, campy, dark, and fun.
For me, “CARRIE” is about shifting perspective from victim to victor.
6. What do you hope listeners take away from “CARRIE,” especially those who have felt powerless?
I hope “CARRIE” reminds people that they have the power to change their relationship with their own stories.
We can’t change what’s happened to us, but we can choose to move forward from a place of power and decide who we want to be now.
I want people to dance, laugh, scream along, and shake loose whatever they’ve been carrying. If someone walks away feeling a little lighter or stronger, that means the world to me.
7. Was releasing “CARRIE” during Halloween season intentional?
Absolutely. As soon as Cat and I started working on “CARRIE,” we agreed it had to come out for Halloween. It’s bloody, campy, dark, and fun.
I was inspired by the imagery of Carrie White from Brian De Palma’s original 1976 film, Carrie.
The funny thing is, I’d already recorded my song and done my own bloody prom photoshoot before discovering Mike Flanagan was creating a new Carrie TV series.
It felt like beautiful universal timing, so I released my song the week before the premiere. And of course, I binged the entire series in one night. SO GOOD!
8. How important are visuals to your music, and when do they enter your creative process?
Visuals are a really important part of my artistic expression, but they usually come after the music.
I’ve always loved creating art in different forms, and I’m using my own original drawings for my debut EP cover and REII merchandise.
I’m also incredibly lucky to have talented, creative friends who help bring my ideas to life, whether that’s photography, styling, or pouring fake blood all over my head for a “CARRIE” photoshoot.
9. What has the early recognition for “CARRIE” meant to you?
The articles and playlist placement have been so exciting. “CARRIE” is also being sent to sync agents for potential placements in horror, thriller, and dark comedy movies and TV shows, which I’m absolutely over the moon about. I’m a huge movie lover, so that’s an especially exciting avenue to explore.
I’ve also really appreciated everyone who’s reached out to tell me they’re listening on repeat or that the song has inspired them. That means so much to me, because connecting with people through my music is one of the biggest reasons I share it.
10. How do you maintain emotional honesty while creating music that connects with an audience?
When I’m writing, it’s really just me and the song. I’m not thinking about how other people will perceive it yet.
“CARRIE” was actually the one song I was nervous to share with my music school friends. I wondered if it was just too weird and whether anyone would even get it.
To my surprise, they loved it. Some even said it was their favourite song I’d shared.
At the end of the day, I’m writing for myself, about whatever I find beautiful, funny, or interesting. I trust that my music will find the people it’s meant for.
11. Can music become a form of empowerment for people who need it?
Music has this magical quality of allowing us to release whatever we’re feeling. To me, music is all about emotion, and that’s what makes it so powerful.
I hope people make my music their own and can use it as a way to feel whatever they’re feeling—whether that’s sadness, grief, anger, joy, or complete elation.
Maybe dancing or singing along to my songs can allow someone to express themselves more deeply, feel more connected to themselves, or release something that’s no longer serving them. If something I share can be healing, uplifting, or help someone feel more connected, that’s what it’s all about for me.
12. What’s inspiring you now, and what can listeners expect from the next chapter of REII?
Lately, I’ve been totally inspired by some of my favourite artists releasing amazing new albums! I’ve been listening on repeat to Olivia Rodrigo’s “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” as well as the new albums by Miley Cyrus, Erykah Badu, Jessie Reyez, and Remi Wolf. I’m so inspired by these incredibly talented, badass women!
Next up is my debut EP, Seen, which explores familial and romantic love, heartbreak, closure, and releasing old patterns in exchange for empowerment. It’s an extremely personal project, and working on these songs with Cat has been incredibly rewarding and healing.
And in a total mood shift, we’ve already started recording my debut full-length album, planned for summer 2027, and this project is all about FUN. We’re making sexy, silly, upbeat dance music. I’m playing with rapping, exploring new sounds, and leaning into my love of humour and theatricality.
I want this next chapter to inspire laughter, dancing, connection, and JOY!
