Ravyn Lenae

I like very funky stuff - I tend to be attracted to flare pants and anything that has glitter.

I like to thrift. I think it's the funnest thing ever. But it's a sport: You have to wake up, eat, and then it's a whole day.

I'm really into color. I love polka dots, rainbows, any pattern.

In sixth or seventh grade, my teacher assigned me to write and sing a song. I remember sitting at the piano in my living room, trying to get that song perfect. That was the moment I realized I really love doing this.

My sophomore year at high school, I spent $300 I had earned working at After School Matters for my first studio session. For a 16-year-old to sacrifice that much money was pivotal. It spoke a lot about how serious I was.

I recorded my first song, 'Greetings,' and it got so much attention on SoundCloud. I was not expecting that.

I like to think my music is of another world.

'Sticky' is about reaching a point in a relationship where you both realize you guys shouldn't be dating, but you're doing it anyway just because you like to have that sense of just being able to be honest with the person and comfortable with the person. You kind of ignore all of the signs and red flags because you really want to like the person.

I think it's hard to leave a relationship that you shouldn't be in. It's a self thing and not really realizing your worth and how much you deserve in love.

I never have a genre in mind when I'm making music because I just like to be free. I feel that placing a genre on your music is limiting yourself.

I'm super particular with my music.

My grandfather was actually a doo-wop singer in Panama. They were called The Dominos. He was the high soprano voice.

I try to stay away from any genre. I like to just make music, and it just is what it is.

I grew up having an ear for what was hot and was not - what sounds good in music and what doesn't.

I will say that maybe me being young, it enabled me to have a more youthful approach to making music, and a fresher approach.

When I do have spare time to write, I'm tempted to spend it napping.

I've always been a color person, whether that's through my clothes, hair, or music.

Red has always been my color, because red stands out.

From the beginning, I always felt artistically inclined. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort, even if I didn't know what an artist was. I clung to the arts. I always watched 'High School Musical' and those type of things.

My first tattoo is a French proverb, and it says, 'Dream your life, live your dreams.'

A lot of people like structure, so there's definitely a risk with being an artist that a lot of people aren't really willing to take.

A lot of peoples' parents aren't very supportive; my mom is super supportive.

I enjoy going to shows to study other artists. It is important to always remain a student to my craft.

While creating Moon Shoes, I had no idea that I was doing it. The experience was extremely organic, considering that I was making music spontaneously and working alongside friends. I chose to title the project 'Moon Shoes' to give listeners a sense of unearthly freedom. I believe each song moves listeners closer to the moon and personal truth.

I think it is important to surround myself with artists who share the same goals and aspirations. This way, I am constantly encouraged to sharpen my craft and challenge myself.

The 'Sticky' video symbolizes the merry-go-round period of love, where things aren't quite right, but you can't help sticking around each other.

I put out my first song with no intentions of being famous.

Being from Chicago, you kind of are shielded in a way from the other stuff that goes on in music and the industry.

I don't care if it's the slow way; I just want to do it the right way.

My creative juices flow seasonally.

I feel like the moon is a very beautiful woman. She's in control.

I'm not a fan of cold weather.

I started playing piano and guitar when I was in elementary school, and then I was finally like, 'I want to sing.' So I started taking voice lessons and decided I wanted to go to an art school and take music seriously.

The idea for 'Midnight Moonlight' was mostly inspired by the moon herself. Advancing from my previous EP 'Moon Shoes,' I felt it necessary to dig a little deeper into who I am and the relationship between my music and the moon.

The Telephone Tour with Noname was a beautiful experience. Because this was only my second tour, I was not quite prepared for the small details that touring entails. I quickly realized how imperative it is to to sleep, eat healthily, and rest my voice.

The common thread between 'Moon Shoes' and 'Midnight Moonlight' would definitely be their connection to the moon. However, I feel they both capture a very different quality of the moon. Perhaps 'Moon Shoes' epitomizes the moon during the summer, while 'Midnight Moonlight' the winter.

I would say that the pivotal moment in singing for me was my sophomore year in high school, 'cause I always loved music but, even going into high school, I didn't know I wanted to make this my career.

I think the biggest reward is not physical. I rather obtain things spiritually. I mean, it's so cool to be acknowledged by the public, but that's not my goal. That's not why I make music. I would do it anyway, if there was no reward.

When the flowers start blooming, I like to ride my bike.

I wear scarves all the time. Even in the summer, I wear scarves - even a thin one. My old vocal teacher told me that, and I stick to it. The only time I get sick is when I forget to wear my scarf. I don't know, it might be mental, but it works for me.

Chicago's music scene is very inspiring. I like to think of it as a small community of friends who enjoy creating and inspiring each other.

I was exposed to a lot of OutKast, Timbaland, Eminem, and my mom introduced me to India.Arie and Erykah Badu, so I guess I'm a mash-up of those styles.

I'm a very colorful person.

' Shoes' is very pink and yellow, and maybe orange, very bright, whereas 'Midnight Moonlight' is purple and blue and - I don't know - gray.

My songwriting process is based on a formula: Color, tone, words. When I hear production, I initially identify the color that resonates with me. From there, I am able to translate the color into tone or emotion, which may depend on a number of things.

I think it's very easy to get lost in the idea of touring and forget that your body is not a machine and can only function if you treat it with love.

'Crush' is probably the most honest project I've ever written. It's my voice.

A part of me likes to pretty up feelings that aren't so pretty.

My music puts people in a dreamy mood. It's edgy. It's nuanced. I get annoyed when people say it's R&B because it's not that simple. I call it futuristic soul.

I love my hair. I think everyone should love their hair. I think there's something intimate and beautiful about someone playing in your hair.