Ep. 269: RAYE | How She Escaped Her Record Deal and Became a Superstar

Today's guest is the British singer-songwriter behind “Escapism.” and “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
After seven years in a record deal without releasing her debut album, she went independent, landed a UK No. 1 and won six BRIT Awards in one night.
This is the story of how she found her own way to succeed—and brought her people with her.
And The Writer Is... RAYE!
In this episode, we get into:
• Signing a record deal at 17, having hits, and still being unable to release her debut album.
• The album called “too risky,” the partner who backed it, and “Escapism.” changing everything.
• Bringing her family and band into the success, and demanding fairer treatment for songwriters.
• Her full writing process, early “Click Clack Symphony.” demos, and nine hours on the “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” bridge. and much more.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:10 Making music and touring with her family
7:38 What happened to her grandfather's songs
9:49 Ad: PRS for Music
11:09 Ad: Splice 12:16
Ross's stolen-song story and the line between influence and theft
17:33 Who deserves a songwriting credit?
19:52 Why songwriters deserve fees and master points
25:29 The power to say no and protect your splits
28:50 Advice for young writers: choosing your battles and avoiding comparison
33:18 Writing her first song at seven
36:48 The BRIT School and finding her voice
42:21 Subscribe to And The Writer Is
42:50 Jazz freedom and her first music-industry reality check
47:13 The dance hits that came with conditions
48:17 Signing her record deal at 17
54:26 Seven years, hit records and still no debut album
56:33 Going independent and the Escapism. breakthrough
1:02:56 Ice Cream Man. and finding strength through music
1:08:15 The BRIT Awards night she still has not watched back
1:10:38 Making THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. on her own terms
1:12:38 Playing the early Click Clack Symphony. demos
1:14:53 Why she writes with Auto-Tune
1:17:15 Title first: heels, lyrics and theatrical melodies
1:18:48 Nine hours on the WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! bridge
1:21:19 Getting bigger without trying to please everyone
1:23:30 Who is Suzanne? Picking a song for every mood
1:26:18 Her grandfather's poems in Fields
1:27:04 Opening for Bruno Mars
1:28:48 Closing: building a better music industry
CREDITS
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad
Edited by Jad Saad
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.