Interviewed and Written by Ami Klinghoffer
Photography by Sophia Keefe
Production Assistance by Lucy Anderson
Singer, songwriter, and producer, Raegan has been steadily acquiring a fan base on TikTok – which now exceeds 70 thousand followers – since her song, Tim Burton, went viral in 2022. Her unparalleled music video snippets captivate viewers as she juxtaposes her soft, feminine aesthetic with dark imagery of blood and gore, complementing the eerie themes present in her songs. The multi-talented artist is most popular for her remixes of well-known hits, such as “Demons” by Doja Cat and “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish. I got the opportunity to learn more about the NYC-based singer’s creative process and her plans for releasing new music.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi, I’m Raegan, I'm a 21-year-old singer-songwriter and producer based in NYC. I
write and produce all my music, and my songs are literally my mind in a sonic form.
I like to experiment with all different types of sounds and genres. I grew up doing
musical theater, so I’m inspired by cinematic and theatrical atmospheres.
So far, I’ve released TIM BURTON, STALKER, HI MY NAME IS, STOCKHOLM,
and WALTZ, but there are lots more to come (an EP ;)). stream my music anywhere under
RAEGAN and follow me @raegancomplex on TikTok, ig, or yt 🖤🖤
You have such a unique sound. What genre would you consider your music?
Honestly, I didn’t have the answer to this question for a long time. But after six years
of making music, I’ve come to the conclusion that it can be categorized as Alt-Pop.
Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?
Honestly, I’d say musical theater, I grew up not only doing theater but also listening
to Broadway soundtracks on a loop. When I became a teenager, I started to discover
Marina and the diamonds and Tyler the Creator, which helped shape my sound
and who I am today.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Tyler, the Creator, is definitely number one on my list... I feel like we’d have a lot of
fun and creative magic in a studio session. I also would love to collaborate with
literally any of the artists I listen to daily, like Melanie Martinez, Tierra Whack,
BROCKHAMPTON, Rex Orange County (to name a few).
Can you talk a bit about what goes into producing your songs? How did you get
into learning how to produce your music?
I learned how to produce music in my junior year of high school when I was 16.
When I make music, I create worlds and atmospheres... and I always felt like no
producer could ever imitate what I was hearing in my mind and no one could see
my overall visions. So, I just started making my beats and learned through experience.
You have a unique dark feminine aesthetic in your music and
visuals. How did you come to formulate this style?
Honestly, that’s just who I am. I exaggerate my aesthetic and present myself to the
world how I see myself in the mirror.
I read that you used to be involved in musical theater. How does this history affect your music career? Is acting still on your radar?
Yes, I act every time I get on stage and perform my songs. My goal is to create
productions and scenes with every song and allow the audience to enter the
animated world of my mind. I call myself an introverted extrovert, which I define as
being extremely outgoing only with people I am comfortable with. When I’m around
strangers, I'm usually pretty quiet and shy, so I’ve had to create the character of “all
caps RAEGAN,” who is extremely uninhibited and extravagant.
Can you tell us anything about your new song you’ve been dropping hints about
on social media, “Mean”?
MEAN is finally releasing on September 27th!! This single is an introduction to my
upcoming EP, ‘FUCK RAEGAN,’ which is also dropping this year. Essentially, 'MEAN'
weaves a tale of empowerment and desire, reminding us that beneath the surface
of conflict lies a passion waiting to be ignited. This is my favorite project yet, and I’m so excited for you all to hear it. These are some of my favorite songs I’ve made so far, and they represent who I am right now.
What would you say your biggest musical accomplishments have been thus far,
and what do you hope to accomplish in the next five years?
Everyday, I grow as an artist and a person. My biggest accomplishment right now is my work
ethic. I'm learning that talent is never enough, and neither is working hard; you need both at
100% at all times to make a difference in this world. In the next five years, I see myself where I deserve to be.
Interviewed and Written by Ami Klinghoffer
Photography by Sophia Keefe
Production Assistance by Lucy Anderson