Meet Raissa | Recording artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raissa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raissa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is an imperative to being an artist. From something as obvious as sharing yourself through your art with others and being vulnerable, that is risk; all the way to moving cities countries or even continents in my case, to pursue what you feel called to do. There is no set path, no map, no one to tell you what to do or how to do it, what to make, how to share it. Risk and faith are necessary for a life lived in art!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up in moving countries a lot, and my household was multicultural too so I think that affects my work and my approach to what I do pretty significantly. I feel like I can fit in anywhere yet nowhere at the same time which I think is a strength for an artist even if sometimes it can feel a bit lonely. I feel like I have a pretty universal outlook on things. Right now what I’m most proud and excited about is the unreleased project I have been working on, I really believe it’s my best work yet and that I’ve unlocked something inside of me that has been waiting to be freed for a long time. Getting to where I am definitely hasn’t been easy and there is still a very long road to go! I’m only just starting out. I think the biggest challenge for me personally has been being so far away from friends and family and kind of really just needing to be good at in large part, relying on only myself and more broadly the changing nature of the music industry has been tough to navigate for everyone who goes that I do. I think I’ve learned to stay true to myself, that it’s never too late to turn back if you realise you’ve been going down the wrong path, and find yourself again, that why I started doing this should be the reason I continue to and to protect that at all costs. I’d love the world to know how much I love the world, I think my music and my art has always been a quest for love and truth

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s a really good question. love how much nature/outdoor space is accessible near LA a I’d probably go on a Hike in Malibu creek state park and then swim in the pond there, maybe a have a picnic. I’d take them to see a movie at the Hollywood forever cemetery, and to see the Getty and the Los Angeles arboretum in Arcadia! As far as food goes I’d take them to get fish tacos at Mario’s Jalisco, Borit Gigae in K town for the Barley rice set, quarter sheets in echo park for pizza, and carousel in Glendale for Armenian food!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many friends and collaborators that have helped in small and big ways throughout my time in music. The list is long and I am so grateful. They know who they are!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisraissa/

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCgdJkhU7DvDBGZj4iBU5UJA

Image Credits
Audrey Steimer