ROYAL Question and Answer Session

Recently I discovered the lovely music of Canadian pop singer-songwriter ROYAL and instantly fell in love with her powerful piano-based song with haunting harmonies, The Hunter.

ROYAL has produced another stunning body of work with Heart of Shadows: dynamic vocals combined with moody musical arrangements create an experience that is both dynamic and empowering for listeners. The Hunter can be found within this album.

Now I had the chance to ask her some questions about this single, her musical influences, and more. Let’s get acquainted with this talented artist by diving right in below for our interview session!

Before I begin, let me say how much I enjoy The Hunter! Can we expect a music video soon? Thank you so much for all your support; I am extremely appreciative. Currently there is talk of making one. Stay tuned!
As part of my new album Heart of Shadows, “Vessel” will soon be the lead single and music video will be shot this coming spring! My team and casting have done an outstanding job and it should be released sometime early 2019.

Who are your musical influences, and how have they inspired the way that you compose music yourself?
My musical inspirations draw from an expansive list of artists and styles, but more specifically I am deeply affected by music surrounding me due to its emotional pull and moodiness. Music has always had a powerful hold over me – something that pervades even my deepest thoughts and drives my every movement. Lana Del Rey and Amy Winehouse motivate and encourage me to push beyond my comfort zone and write from my emotions more freely into songs; The Beatles and Beach Boys offer more playful writing techniques; but as far as musical inspirations go I am greatly inspired and influenced by many more prominent ones than those mentioned here.

What song from your new album Heart of Shadows do you find most meaningful and why?
Each track on my new record holds special meaning to me personally, making it difficult for me to select just one as my favourite from it all! Ideally I should pick all twelve tracks on there because they all mean so much to me personally!
“Reminisce” and “The Hunter” allowed me the freedom to explore a different style of writing by adding dramatic strings arrangements. We even brought in a harp player so we could add that extra touch of warmth for “Reminisce”, making the experience truly amazing!

Where did you draw inspiration to create such an astounding body of work?
My album “Heart of Shadows” draws from personal life experiences as its source. Songwriting has always been my way of communicating and expressing myself; therefore it only made sense that this album be based on it all.