LaRegina, a vocalist and topliner from Freiburg, Germany, was born and raised outside any preconceived categories. Her songs contain everything that inspires and moves her, and she hopes that others will be moved by them as well. She enjoys viewing the world in a variety of hues.
People Pleaser is a brand-new song by LaRegina that was just released in German. She is a singing outlaw who always goes with her gut. She does use music to express herself, and she advocates for freedom of thought, love, and unity. Her most recent song discusses how to stop trying to please others, how to become a free soul, and how to listen to your inner voice. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
LaRegina: I was born and raised in Freiburg, south Germany in the mid 80s. Singing has always been my passion from a young age, I admired especially woman with great voices like Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, En Vogue, Deborah Cox, Toni Braxton, Monica and many more Soul and R&B artist especially of the late 90s. I was fascinated from their vocal performances and the energy it provided. So I started to sing along to these songs and figured out it felt good and even did not sound too bad too, according to my family (even if sometimes I probably think itโs been also a lot for them and my neighbors as well (laughs)). When life was difficult it has always been my hideaway, so rather than going out, I was singing along to great songs since it full field me with joy. I was not really outgoing as a child as now, still I need a lot of alone time, this will never change. So as a child I joined a choir and as a teen I did sing in my first cover band, but I was not so dedicated since, well, I was a teenager (laughs). Later on I did sing either alone occasionally to my favorite songs on small local events or did backings for different local artists. But since singing to other artist songs became kind of boring after the years, as well as life happened, I lost interest in it for a while and did not make music or sung at all. I also had no idea on how to write a song, so I rather did not start preventing to fail. Until around 2010 where I gave it another try I stared to play chords on my motherโs old guitar, creating first melodies and writing lyrics myself, just about everything happening in my life. This was the missing link and motivated to finally pursue doing music on another level. A little later through connection of a band, I for whom I had been singing backing for, I meet a talented local guitar player.ย We soon started a project called โno bit sectionโ he provided the music and I lent my voice, melodies and lyrics. All this happened around 2018. The style contained, Dub, Blues and electronic elements. We released only one of the around 20+ songs we produced. After a while we decided to go separate ways since our visions just did not come together anymore. Iโm really grateful however for this experience, and I learn a lot on what I want and what I donโt want musically. Around that time I also started my connection with the little reggae label in Swiss, Basel, providing my backing vocals to two albums for their artist. In this studio, I also had been able to produce my own album between 2020/2021. All this steps helped me in finding and creating my own unique style, and Iโm grateful for every lesson of the way
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
LAREGINA: Iโm 100% made by passion (laughing) having expensive vocal sessions back then was not really a thing, and it never crossed neither my nor my parentโs mind, so I simply learned by doing it, which also allowed my to develop my own style as well. I did take a handful of piano lessons however when I was about 13 years old, but itโs never been it for me, I just preferred to sing. There is no teacher for passion and effort anyway and this is what drove me from the startย
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โLAREGINAโ?
LAREGINA: I canโt lie, Mariah Carey is a mayor among the above-mentioned. One of my first Albums ever bought is indeed Fantasy and MTV unplugged. I just loved and still love her voice I never really cared too much for the lyrics back then, also since itโs not my mother language you have a different โearโ about it. When it comes to writing I would say India Arieย โ Also Reggae artist such as Etana, Jah Cure, Natural Black etc. since I liked the delivery of a meaning. As my birth name is Regina, meaning the queen in Latin, itโs been an easy decision calling myself simply โthe queenโ so itโs not a lack of humbleness,ย rather an honor for my birth name my parents decided to gave me (laughs).
4. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP and Reggae?
LAREGINA: All the different steps I mentioned before formed the artist Iโm now. In every phase, I had my challenges and learned something from myself or someone along the way, so It could complete the picture. The singing along phase to good female singers made me develop my own technique and style, since I never tried to copy them 100% I always knew the creative part was just a matter of time. Life itself as well as my experience gives me endless inspiration or stories to tell. Itโs not really a transition, I always knew what to do, I just did not know how to shift and put it all together. I now combine all these elements I have been influenced with, in my ownย way
5. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
LAREGINA: When it comes to music there are a few rather than one major thing. The production of my album โPlot Twistโ during covid has been tough. Never knowing If I could cross the boarder to Basel (Swiss) where the studio has been located, the whole production in this period has been so exhausting. Later on, building my own studio, not knowing anything about production and sound. Generally learning about this business where can I find answers and just the whole progress of learning how to coop with stagnation or even falling back. Learning and accepting, not everyone will support you and is happy to see you win. Learning how to cope with rejection without being totally devastated. When it comes to my private life I had a few tough challenges as well, I prefer however to write music about it instead of talking, itโs my way to cope with it, and it still stays open for interpretation so maybe someone elseโs story holds similarity to connect to.
6. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
LAREGINA: Iโm proud of the journey itself and all the things I learned. I am proud of being a fighter, never let nobody discourage me. Furthermore, I was able to find many answers in regard to how this business works myself. Iโm proud of my album, Iโm proud of every song I wrote that let me do another, and Iโm proud I put myself out there never knowing what might happen in any direction.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
LAREGINA:
Let say it like that, my passion for music is really strong, if not I would have been quitting already many times. Self-doubts, pressure, fear of rejection, not knowing where to start with a never ending to-do list, spending lots of money, time and energy are always a part of being an artist. If you donโt learn how to deal with it, it is consuming your energy and makes you losing the fun of it. In life, everything has to be well-balanced, I would say. For example there are these moments when you are on stage singing your own songs and the audience is smiling at you catching the vibe. Also on social media someone leaves a nice comment about your work is appreciated a lot. This shows you all the work and tears has been worth it. Receiving positive feedback is really important, so I stay motivated to continue, and I treasure each and every one who is supporting me so much you have no idea. So Iโm so grateful for my dear listeners and supporters. Iโve learned not to expect, what will be will be
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
LAREGINA:
I work the best when Iโm alone, since if I have a vision nobody can convince me to chance, my intuition is my guide. I have to be in a โtunnelโ if it makes sense, when Iโm in this progress all the creativity is just flowing, and I have to figure out which is the best vision to follow. On how to find the right, topic and energy for the song I have indeed different approaches. Sometimes I just write the lyrics first when I have something on my mind, without any melodies or music in mind at all. And sometimes all just falls together at once, so when I hear a beat or riddim I know exactly which melody I want to use and what story I want to tell. I usually start to create and write the chorus first, the rest follows naturally
9. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
LAREGINA: Itโs tough out there, since envy and bitterness is just one post away. First, I was really shocked about how people can literally come to your socials spreading negativity. But I try not to take it too close to my heart knowing itโs coming from a place of bitterness, so I quickly switch and feel sorry for the person. Itโs totally okay not liking what someone is doing, but why all the effort and negativity. Criticism is something else, still hurts since music is something really personal, also you cannot be everyoneโs tea. Also, you literally put your heart and soul out there, which makes you vulnerable and therefore an easy target for someone to park their frustration.ย Iโm happy, however it does not happen on a regular basis, fingerโs crossed it stays this wayย
10. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
LAREGINA: Nothing beats playing your own songs live, thatโs for sure. Since you get back so much energy, itโs like being totally in tune with you and the world.ย However, It is also such a joyful feeling once a song finally is starting to feel just right while in the creative phase. When it happens, I tend to have my little happy screams since all makes sense now, and Iโm feeling so excites and content (laughs) The final recordings are the least thing I love to do, since itโs all about perfection and patience, which my Aries self does not love to much ;-)
11. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
LAREGINA: Itโs not important, however a nice add-on, if it happens. I cannot expect from others to see through my eyes .it can be exciting finding out what listeners interpret instead. In case they totally get it wrong, so the whole song makes no sense, then of course it is a bit sad, but like I said we all see through a different lens, so itโs okay as long as they enjoy the song and found a positive link.ย Maybe it also is depending on the topic, if Itโs supposed to be deeper it would be cool its interpreted the way I intended, at least the core essence. Like my German-speaking song ,was kostet die Weltโ โhow much for the worldโ which has a really strong chorus might be misunderstood, I guess. In the chorus, I sing from a different perspective besides the verse. So from the chorus people think Iโm a money eating monster, so listeners might be missing the twist being too focused on me loving money (laughs) when really Iโve tied the opposite itโs a critical song when it comes to lobbiesm.
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