Cray

At the age of 18, Cheney Ray left behind her college life in Canada to pursue a music career in Los Angeles. Now, just a few short years later, she can say that she’s toured Asia with Skrillex, performed DJ sets for the biggest EDM festivals around the world and developed a cult following on Twitch.

- By Devon Preston. Photos by Ashley Osborn

Beyond the flashing neon lights of whatever electronic stage she’s performing under, Ray is an artist who strives to expose her rough edges and gritty emotions with a newly released EP, “Seasons Change And So Do I.” We caught up with the soulful songstress to learn why she was drawn to EDM in the first place and what she’s learned since becoming a singer-songwriter.

Why did you leave school to pursue music full time?

I’ve never been a school person, I’ve always been a creative person. Since before I can remember, I’ve been medicated for learning disabilities and when I went to college, I felt forced into it. The more I was in college, the more I hated it and wasn’t feeling like myself. By my fourth year, I was like, “You know what. Fuck it, I am going to start doing what I want to do.”