A Chat with Zëta Ræ (27.10.25)
Zeta Ræ is a genre-defying artist who has unleashed her latest single ‘Obvious’. We chat with Zeta Ræ and delve into her music artistry, and more, below.
OSR: What was your first “I want to be a pop star” moment growing up?
Zëta Ræ: Singing in my first local talent show around 5 years old! The movie Dead Poets Society was filmed in my hometown, and the talent show was actually held in that theater. I remember waiting backstage and being so excited. I sang ‘Part of Your World’ from The Little Mermaid and, of course, wore my matching princess dress.
OSR: Your sound blends alt-pop, rock, soul, and hyperpop. How do you balance experimentation with accessibility in your music?
Zëta Ræ: To be honest, I think it kind of comes naturally! Everything I make is a combination of what I hear and love. I listen to a lot of pop music, which I feel is always present in the bones of my songs. I also listen to a lot of really diverse, experimental music. I think that influence tends to come through in production details. I try not to think about genre or audience or any of it too much during the writing process. I try to make whatever choices feel right and authentic in the moment.
OSR: How did your time at Berklee College of Music influence your sound and approach to songwriting?
Zëta Ræ: In many ways, it gave me the tools to put my ideas into motion. I learned so much about every aspect of music. I learned what the standard formula is and why it works. I also learned that breaking the “rules” is sometimes the best thing to do. I shift between intentional, knowledge-based writing and flow-based writing. Sometimes it can be hard to just feel it out, but I’m so grateful to have such a rich perspective when writing and producing.
OSR: ‘Obvious’ feels like a confident pop pivot for you. What inspired this new sonic direction?
Zëta Ræ: I’ve been making music like this for years, I was just too scared to release it. I’ve reached a point where I feel less held back by genre or branding. We live in such an exciting time where the big players are testing boundaries and following different artistic impulses, and listeners are open to being kept on their toes. I’m inspired by that as an indie artist, and I’m aware that being indie means I have the freedom to do essentially whatever I want. My taste and my artistry is diverse, and I like challenging myself to follow new avenues that spark my interest.
OSR: The song has this confident, flirty attitude. Did you draw from a real experience or create more of a character in your lyrics?
Zëta Ræ: There’s always an element of real experience in my lyrics. More than creating a character, I’d say I lean into one particular mood. Sometimes I play it up a bit, but if anything, I’m more honest in my songs than anywhere else.
OSR: How did the collaboration with Ryan Adams and Max Troppe come about, and what was the creative chemistry like in the studio?
Zëta Ræ: I met Ryan at school through mutual friends, and I was amazed by his production. He sent me this beat for a school assignment, and since everything was remote at the time, I quickly wrote it from my bed in Texas. A few months later, we met up in Boston and recorded in the Berklee studios which was such a blast! I’d never done it in such a professional environment. Ryan knew Max, who hopped in on the bass and absolutely killed it. It was so much fun to record and listen to the playback on the big speakers in there. I’m super grateful for that experience!
OSR: You’ve mentioned wanting to channel the energy of Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande. What specific qualities of their music did you aim to capture or reinterpret?
Zëta Ræ: In short terms: a strong vocal performance, clean production, a beat that makes you want to dance, and lyrics that leave you feeling empowered.
OSR: What does confidence mean to you, especially as a female artist in today’s pop landscape?
Zëta Ræ: I think building and maintaining your confidence as a female artist today is crucial. There’s an element of unspoken competition that I think is especially apparent in media right now. In many ways, it can feel like the odds are stacked against you. Both as a woman and an artist, you need to have a deep sense of self belief to continue striving. Even on days when you can’t sense it, or every part of you wants to quit, you keep trying. That to me is true confidence.
OSR: When you’re not making music, what’s something unexpected that inspires your creativity?
Zëta Ræ: Being on quiet walks in nature. Right now, I’m visiting family in California, and earlier today, I was looking at the rocks and shells on the San Clemente beach for hours, a perfect example. Long car rides. I need space to be creative. Boredom almost. However, I’m also inspired by chaos, so it’s definitely a balancing act.
OSR: What can fans expect next from Zëta Ræ? Is ‘Obvious’ a glimpse of a larger project or a standalone moment?
Zëta Ræ: I don’t have any concrete plans at the moment, but I’ve definitely been working on a lot of new music that’s both in the rock and pop vein. I’ve been doing the single thing for a while, and I’m itching to release a longer form project again soon.
Many thanks to Zëta Ræ for speaking with us. Find out more about Zëta Ræ on her Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify
