“I wanted the final version of these songs to sonically support the narrative of my lyrics – like a movie you hear instead of watch,” says ROREY, perfectly summarizing the essence of her music, where every note and melody is meticulously created to tell a story.
ROREY is a refreshing wind that blows through the music industry, bringing with her a unique blend of otherworldly vocals and hypnotic instrumentals. The young artist has packed some heavy themes into her songs, yet they remain light and full of hope.
Her latest track, “Sleepwalking,” is a dreamy indie pop piece that clearly paints the experience of dissociation. “I wanted to paint this vivid image of me walking down the street experiencing life in a way that made absolutely no sense,” she explains. The song captures a state of mind that I’m sure everyone has experienced at some point – feeling like a foreign body with no access to the world around you. And yet, “Sleepwalking” has also become a catchy pop song where you feel like you’re standing next to yourself, observing your life from a distance.
In this interview, we delve into ROREY’s creative process, her personal challenges, and her aspirations for the future. We discuss the deeply personal significance behind her songs, her approach to mental health, and the journey of finding the right creative partners.
photography by Eli Edwards
Your upcoming EP “Dysphoria” deals with your mental health journey. How did your diagnosis of bipolar disorder influence the overall sound of the EP?
I wanted the final version of these songs to sonically support the narrative of my lyrics – like a movie you hear instead of watch. I think my ethereal vocals and hypnotic instrumentals juxtapose my visceral pain. There are so many nuanced production choices I pulled from my real life. In one song I recorded my friends and I laughing at a poetry reading and it emulates being so removed in a crowded room idk if that makes sense.
“Sleepwalking” is described as a dreamy indie pop piece. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this song?
I wanted to paint this vivid image of me walking down the street experiencing life in a way that made absolutely no sense. I felt so delusional and removed at the time; (sleepwalking) through life in this dream-like state.
You mentioned that “sleepwalking” is your disassociation anthem. How did your experiences of dissociation shape the lyrics and melodies of this track?
Nothing feels real when I disassociate. I’m in my own world with a perspective no one seems to understand. It was so fun to workshop these lyrics. For example, the lyrics “mustard gas is wafting in the air, I start choking all they do is stare, with swirling eyes, like they’re mesmerized” is a metaphor for how toxic my environment was. Mustard gas is lethal and I felt like I was quite literally suffocating, while everyone was enamored by my darkness finding it both elusive and enticing; like I was a mesmerizing art installation engulfed in depth and inspired resiliency. (But you can’t really sing that) I felt invisible.
“I lost my dad to cancer when I was 14 and this song is the first time I’ve ever explored that facet of my life; reconciling with grief.”
You wrote six of the eight songs during a challenging period in your life. Which song on the EP holds the most personal significance for you and why?
It shifts for me frequently, because they are all so personal to me in their own way. I would say “Chronic Apathy” is the one I resonate with most. I lost my dad to cancer when I was 14 and this song is the first time I’ve ever explored that facet of my life; reconciling with grief. It was just Father’s Day so the wound is a little fresh for me right now.
How do you take care of your mental health while pursuing a career in the music industry?
I’m honestly still figuring it out, and if I hear “learn to meditate” one more time I may scream. (Kidding) I journal a lot as cliché as that sounds; it helps with my spirals to just stream of consciousness word blab. But my forever go-to is blasting music for hours in my AirPods while I take a long walk.
What’s one word that best describes your music?
(smiles) Raw
You started playing guitar at age six and taught yourself piano at 14. Which instrument do you feel most connected to and why?
Guitar! There is absolutely nothing like strumming out your feelings. Playing the guitar for me is so mindless in the best way. It is probably one of the few moments I feel fully present and connected to my body.
“Playing the guitar for me is so mindless in the best way. It is probably one of the few moments I feel fully present and connected to my body.”
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
It’s been an insane journey finding the right creative partner to produce my songs with. My EP APT 7D means the world to me, but I never thought I’d make a grunge EP, and that’s a perfect example of a producer making creative choices that contrasted my vision as the artist. I don’t want to play out the classic men vs. women trope, but it’s true. I asked for less distortion on a guitar part and he literally sat me down to lecture me on how music is made. The whole experience was traumatizing. My friend Scott, who I co-produced my EP with, was open to all of my ideas and had the patience to execute them. It was a full collaboration and I feel like so much of myself is in the songs because of that.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
Amy Winehouse. She was an absolute legend.
I liked scrolling through your Instagram page. It looks so arty. How much time do you invest in social media?
Thank you! Not enough time, I get really overwhelmed about posting. I call it “post paralysis” like I don’t have the capacity to do it most of the time. Sometimes it’s fun though. It’s hard to stay consistent. My feed does feel like me at the moment though, so I am happy about that. I hate nothing more than feeling like I’m playing some contrived character that appeals to people.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Fingers crossed happy, fulfilled, and proud of myself. I hope by then my music impacts people on a larger scale.
The most important thing in life is?
Having people to share it with.
Follow ROREY for more:
www.instagram.com/itsrorey
twitter.com/itsrorey
