It has been a year and some change since Rauly got a degree in a world away from music, Finance, and Analytics. As someone who took algebra three times in their life, I have no clue what that even means but what I do know is that this Orange Country-based singer-songwriter is focusing on his creative side with his latest release, “Obvious.” We talked about what made him trade in the logical for the musical, how he took a chance reaching out to push him towards his goals, and more in this back and forth. 

Kendra: So, a Masters in Finance and Analytics. I’m so bad at all things mathematical that those two words just make my head go bonkers. What initially pushed you towards that major?

Rauly: Hahaha well, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, and finance seemed like a broad enough major that I could do a lot of different things. I’ve always liked numbers and money and so it kind of went well with my interests too. 

Kendra: While it’s obvious that you had to have this very studious mindset to head down such an ambitious educational route, had you grown up also exploring your musical side, or did that come about later in life?

Rauly: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I did musical theater in elementary school and started playing guitar at eight years old. I would perform in choir during junior high and then joined an alternative band in high school. Music has always been a big part of my life, I just got a scholarship to go to college and decided that was the best thing for me to do, especially because my music wasn’t poppin’ or anything. 

Kendra: What pushed you that day to take a risk and reach out to Charlie Heat about working with him as an unsigned artist all while nose deep in a Masters program no less?

Rauly: At that point, I was already working on music every day and I was confident that I had the best music I’d ever made ready to send him. I knew opportunities like this didn’t come often so I finished up some songs I was working on and sent them to him that night. I honestly didn’t think much of it but I was confident I had at least sent my best work to him. 

Kendra: Okay, so this year you started dropping singles left and right. Listening to the four, you went very mainstream pop with the first three but then hit us with what is definitely the most personal of them, “Obvious.” What made you want to break down some walls and let people into that part of yourself?

Rauly: I feel like I have many different parts to myself and different things I want to say. I also love all genres of music so I never want to be stuck in one genre. I will always be an artist who says what he wants and makes different kinds of music. “Obvious” is a very special record to me and I knew I had to drop it this year. 

Kendra: “Obvious” is a song I feel like, especially after the whirlwind we’ve collectively had these past couple of years, people are going to be able to instantly attach themselves to. For you though, when did music go from a dream to an obvious life choice?

Rauly: It was really after writing this song that it became a life choice for me. It was the end of 2020, and I had just finished the first quarter of my masters program. I realized I had to pursue music before entering the workforce or I would always regret it. I wrote this song and for the first time finally said to myself that I would pursue music as a life choice. It was only a couple months later that I sent my music to Charlie and my career started. 

Kendra: Also, with Coachella still fresh on my mind and all these artists from today bringing out the likes of Shania Twain and Hayley Williams, I’d love to know what artist you’ve drawn inspiration from would you love to connect with if you had the chance to at a festival like that?

Rauly: I’ve drawn inspiration from so many different artists throughout my life. For a festival like that, I think it would make most sense for me to perform with Ed Sheeran.

Kendra: Lastly, with “Obvious” and more out now – anything else you can share with us, perhaps tour plans? Rauly: No tour yet, but I do have some shows coming up this summer! Follow me on Instagram so you can keep up to date.