Ray Noir’s latest single, Razorblade Romance, is a raw and defiant anthem for outsiders. In this interview, he opens up about identity, resilience, and pushing boundaries in the alt music scene.
1.
“Razorblade Romance” is an intensely personal track. Can you share the journey
that led you to write this song?
It’s a song
about being an outsider, about having to hide who you are, which keeps you from
living authentically. Growing up in Oslo’s metal and goth scene, there were no
relatable role models for someone like me. That isolation made things really
difficult, and in the end, I had to leave Norway to be able to fully embrace
myself and live authentically.
2. You’ve
described this song as feeling like “planning your own funeral.” Can you expand
on that? What emotions were you channeling while creating it?
In a way,
it felt like I was choosing between survival and disappearing. If I hadn’t left
when I did, I’m not sure I’d still be here. Living with a secret that shouldn’t
even be an issue was suffocating. That’s why representation is so important,
especially in the alt scene. Young people need to see themselves reflected in
the world to know they’re not alone.
3. The
song tackles rigid masculinity and the struggle of being a queer artist in the
alt scene. How has your personal experience shaped your music?
It’s
everything. It’s why I started writing music, to share my story in the hopes of
being that representation for other young queer people. The alt scene, despite
its rebellious image, still has a huge lack of queer visibility, and I want to
help change that.
4. Steve
Stevens is a legend in the industry. How did your collaboration come about, and
what was it like working with him?
I used to
work at Vivienne Westwood’s World’s End shop on King’s Road in London, the
original SEX/Seditionaries store. Steve and his wife Josi always visit when
they’re in town, and my manager Lisa was already friends with them, so she
introduced us. Whenever he’s in London on tour with Billy Idol or other bands,
he invites us to the shows. One day, I messaged him on Instagram, asking if
he’d be up for playing guitar on a track I was working on, and he said yes.
He’s always been super supportive of my music, which I really appreciate.
5.
Industrial rock has always had a rebellious spirit. What draws you to this
genre, and how do you make it your own?
It’s that
mix of heavy guitars and electronics, I love both metal and electronic music,
and industrial is where they collide perfectly.
6. Your
2024 mixtape Scorpio made waves with over 130K streams and sold-out shows. How
does Razorblade Romance build on that momentum?
Scorpio was
a mixtape, a collection of past songs, whereas Razorblade Romance pushes things
forward. It leans into the heavier side of my sound, bringing in the intensity
we already have in our live shows. My drummer Evan also worked on the live drum
arrangements, and songs like “YMATD” have become fan favorites, so this was a
natural progression.
7.
You’ve got some big shows coming up, including The Black Heart, Resistanz
Festival, and a headline show in Oslo. What can fans expect from your live
performances?
Pure
energy. Our live shows are raw, intense, and loud, just the way rock ‘n’ roll
should be.
8.
You’ve spoken about survival and resilience in your music. What message do you
want Razorblade Romance to send to your listeners?
Razorblade
Romance is for the outsiders. It’s a reminder that there’s hope when we stand
together. Society tries to shame queer people into silence, into erasure, but
we’re still here, and we will endure.
9. As a
queer POC artist who came up in Norway’s metal scene, what challenges have you
faced, and how have they influenced your artistry?
Even now,
the biggest challenge is getting the same opportunities as my straight peers.
It often feels like the industry is hesitant to fully support queer artists.
But that just makes me more determined to carve out my own space.
10. Your
music combines darkness with defiance. Do you find empowerment in embracing the
heavier, more intense side of your emotions?
Absolutely.
It’s the most powerful way for me to express myself.
11. With
Razorblade Romance out now, what’s next for Ray Noir? Are there more releases,
collaborations, or surprises in store for 2025?
We’re back in the studio working on new music, and more live shows are in the works. Stay tuned, follow me on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with everything!
Post a Comment