Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea Deléo.
Hi Rhea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ever since I was a child, I have always known music was my calling! I began taking voice and piano lessons when I was eight years old and absolutely fell in love with the art of singing and performing. The first song I ever performed live was “I Could’ve Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady – I was hooked on becoming a performer ever since! Fast forward a few years, I found myself moving out of my home state of Georgia to attend Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, where I initially studied Opera and Vocal Performance. Although I enjoyed singing in choirs and learning complex Italian opera pieces, something within me burned to create my own unique music to share with the world…
In my Junior year of college, I decided to shift my major to Contemporary Music and Media Applications, where I learned about everything from music business, to how to organize and promote city-wide music festivals, to creating my own DIY recording studio, and more! To this day, trusting my gut to make the decision to switch majors has been one of the most defining choices of my life. Since graduating four years ago and moving back to beloved Atlanta, Georgia, I have transitioned into a full-time independent music artist, influencer, and digital creator on TikTok!
In 2021, I released my debut EP “Everything” onto digital streaming platforms, receiving my first 1 MILLION streams on Spotify in only one year, and I have since released several singles, garnering me nearly 2 MILLION streams in 2023. In addition, I have built an enthusiastic and supportive audience on TikTok, comprised of nearly 20K followers who I am extremely grateful for.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an artist of any kind comes with an assortment of unique challenges, but I would say one of the biggest struggles for me was actually just putting my music out there! The saying “you are our own worst critic” was very fitting, as I held myself back from releasing my music for a long time because I was worried that it just wasn’t “good enough”. I’d had loved ones/friends tell me my songs were “too moody” or “not happy sounding enough” to appeal to them, and I have to be honest.. it really, really discouraged me.
The music that I write tends to lean towards more toward introspective and soulful lyrics, atmospheric instrumentation, and slower tempos – so over time, I finally came to the conclusion that if I wanted to feel fulfilled as an artist, I was just going to have to let go of the need to appeal to other people and trust that if I put my music out there – the right people would come…. and lo and behold, the audience did come.
My music really started making some traction once I started livestreaming on TikTok to promote my new songs. Instead of playing a bunch of gigs around town trying to promote myself, I realized that the best way to expose my art would be to show to it the world’s biggest audience – the internet. Through my daily TikTok livestreams, I have accumulated hundreds/thousands of new listeners and fans – and talking to/connecting with them on a personal level has truly opened my eyes to what affect music can have on others. Hearing about the peace, inspiration, and light my songs have brought to many of my followers… well, it makes all the struggles I experienced before worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional recording artist, musician, and producer specializing in creating Dream-Pop music. For instance, my music draws inspiration from dreamy music greats such as Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, AURORA, and even Evanescence. I believe what sets me apart and that I’m most proud of as a songwriter is that I am unafraid to explore various themes of emotionality, vulnerability, spirituality, and magic within my lyrics. As someone who practices meditation and loves mysticism, I try to include lyrics that invite the listener to explore the deep, hidden facets of who they are and open their minds to the Universe. My music asks you to reflect on your life and your soul – my art contrasts from much of today’s music because it requires you to actually dig below the surface.
For instance, my newest song titled “New Era” which released recently on April 14th, explores the idea of redefining one’s purpose in life and what is truly meaningful for a person to bring to this world. There have been times as an artist where I’ve deeply questioned what I am meant to achieve/what I’m doing all this for. The first verse of “New Era” goes: “Once upon a time I dreamed that the world was gonna know my name.. but the inner compass that guides me just always seems to change..”. In all truth, my inner compass has changed direction – the desire to create music to gain recognition/prestige is not what drives me anymore.. what fuels me now is making music that connects, heals, and inspires people in their daily lives. I want my listeners to know that it’s never too late to begin a new era of your life and that reaching your dreams is always possible!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If you’d like to listen to my music/support what I do, all of my songs are available on all digital streaming platforms! I also do daily TikTok livestreams at around 3:30 PM EST where I talk to followers and connect with them personally – simply look up my username on the app (@rheadeleo). In addition, I now have a membership platform on Buy Me A Coffee where supporters can subscribe to support and get first access top new music, videos, and other exciting content!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rheadeleo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheadeleo/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rheadeleo/
- Youtube: youtube.com/c/RheaDeléo
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XIw2i7NNvt4ArINF716pI?si=gXH_aGw7TDKpqdEYPTOANQ
