An Interview With The Swedish Singer-Songwriter, PAUL REY On The Ins and Outs of His Career So Far!

Swedish singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Paul Rey released his debut EP, Good As Hell, to all digital retailers recently through Epic Records.

A slice of his self-proclaimed “Modern World Music,” the song effortlessly merges pop and rock with a simmering sense of hip-hop swagger and a massive chorus. It’s an infectious and irresistible introduction to this new talent, and the video shows him in action. He cruises the streets of the city, while belting out the verses and that robust hook.

Born in Sweden, Paul Rey fell in love with music at the age of 11 when he attended the country’s biggest music festival with his dad. Soon, he became inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson and started writing his own songs. Simultaneously, he immersed himself in hip-hop, sharpening his skills as a battle rapper.

He’s played alongside Big Sean and Raekwon and even participated in Sweden’s The O-Zone Battles and Britain’s Don’t Flop. His indie debut Makin’ Moves received nominations for “Best Solo Artist of the Year” and “Best Newcomer of the Year” at Sweden’s Kingsize Gala. Now, he’s got Quincy Jones as a mentor and Epic Records as his label, and he’s ready for an unforgettable 2016.

Learn more about this talented singer in the following All Access interview:

Thank you for your time today! What’s a typical day like for you lately?

Thank you for yours! They’re all very different. Either it’s traveling (which I do a lot since I still live in Sweden), or it’s performances, promo or studio. But they all have to do with music, so to spend my days working with music is pretty much a dream come true for me!

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Was your family always supportive of you?

It definitely was. We’ve always listened to a lot of music in the household, and growing up me and my brother had to learn to play at least one instrument. When I was 14, I started making my own songs, the family was very supportive. During Christmas that same year, I got a microphone as a surprise Christmas gift. My family has always supported me no matter what.

Congrats on releasing your debut EP, “Good As Hell”! What does that feel like?

It feels amazing! I can’t believe I’ve actually released music through Epic Records! Still blows my mind.

Can you talk about your #GoodAsHell campaign? What are your #GoodAsHell moments right now? What has the response been like?

The #GoodAsHell campaign is all about spreading positivity. Whether your already feeling good or if you’re not having the best day – hopefully the song Good as Hell can lift your mood and give you that energy that you need. So with the campaign I want to bring up similar stories that either cheers you up or gets you hyped up.

My best #GoodAsHell moments are always when I’m performing. To play the songs live and see people sing along to them is the best feeling.

How creatively involved were you with the music video for the song? Where did the song’s inspiration come from?

The director Mark Staubach came up with the script and the idea, and I just added some ideas and details that I thought would go well with the script. I am very hands-on with everything that has to do with my music, wether it’s the music video, the cover art or the mixing of the records.

The song came from my own experience of dealing with anxiety, and overcoming that anxiety. When I and my producer John-Alexis made the song in the studio, the first thing that came to my head was the chorus “I feel good as hell!”. So right away I knew the title and vibe the record would have.

What artists have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you love to work with in the future?

Countless of artists inspire me every day. Just to name a few: D’Angelo, The Beatles, James Blake, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.

I’m hoping one day that I’ll get the honor to meet Paul McCartney. And the dream would be to sit down with him and an acoustic guitar in a studio and just write songs for days!

What was it like meeting Quincy Jones and getting to work with him?

It was wild. He had heard Good as Hell last year and wanted to meet me, so I was invited to his mansion in Bel-Air. We sat down for hours and I heard the most amazing stories about Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson and the list goes on… Truly inspiring the be able to sit down and talk with the legend Quincy Jones, and to get to work with him is something I never could’ve imagined happening. But dreams come true.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope fans take away from your songs?

Hopefully the listeners gets a positive feeling from the songs. My messages are often uplifting. Either they’re about overcoming obstacles, or they are about love. Which to me is about the two most important things in life. If you have obstacles in your life, and you overcame – it made you stronger. If you have love in your life – it brings you happiness. If you’re strong and happy, nothing can get you down.