A Dirty Dozen with RIVKAH REYES – May 2026

Photo credit: Jon Del Real

According to a recent press release: “Today, New York City-based indie rock / pop musician and actor Rivkah Reyes shares confessional, bubble-grunge tune “Miss Congeniality” out now with a matching music video set in a queer and trans Bushwick boxing gym. Unafraid to divulge her fears and expose her own patterns, Reyes documents her real, lived experiences through revealing, punchy lyricism on what she calls “sapphic doomcore situationship bangers.” For years, Reyes has been the girl in the band. Now, she’s stepping into her own spotlight with “Miss Congeniality,” an emo-tinged, Y2K pop banger. Brimming with confidence, she sings about the exquisite joy of longing and the powerful realization that one may not be for everyone—a gleeful surrender told in power chords.” We get Rivkah to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Miss Congeniality” is about performance in relationships and trying to shapeshift into the “easy,” lovable girl so you’ll get chosen. There are a bunch of little lyrical nods to the movie throughout (“undercover, I’m on a mission,” “self defense moves as my talent”), and I liked building that contrast into the production too, shiny poppy hooks atop crunchy guitars and complicated drums. I think the real hidden nugget is that the song isn’t making fun of girls who try too hard to be loved. It’s kind of a love letter to them.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I grew up in a very musical family. My mom was a singer and my dad worked in the music venue world, so I started going to concerts super young. I’ve also been playing guitar since I was 4 years old when my parents enrolled me in classical lessons, but the moment I really leaned into it was when I taught myself how to play along with the radio by ear. I felt like Matilda when she discovered her magical powers. From there, I started writing and singing as well, and the rest is history.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I looooved grunge. Nirvana and Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins were huge for me. I also loved girly pop, like Britney, Christina, Mandy Moore…but I always yearned for a girl who blended those worlds. When Avril Lavigne dropped her first album I felt immediate kinship with her. And from then, I became a classic emo kid. Tumblr, bad bangs, fucked up eyeliner, the whole thing.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I neeeeeed to work with Charli xcx. I just feel like we’d get on so well since we’re both August Leos and 365 party girls.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m addicted to line dancing, there’s a huge scene for it in NYC where I’m based. I even teach some classes for the girls, theys and gays.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I usually describe my music as bubblegrunge or sapphic doomcore (lol.) It’s guitar forward, huge feelings with a sense of humor. As for comparisons, I don’t totally love when people reduce it to “TikTok music” just because I have an online following. I think there’s a real emotional and songwriting backbone to what I’m making, even when it’s messy or funny or a little chaotic.

Nice Film Club Roll #285604 | C-41 | Noritsu HS1800

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m solo so I’m doing all of the above.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I got to meet Jack White recently at SNL which just…made my life feel complete. I wouldn’t say I was starstruck per se but there was a moment where I was like “Wow, this is my life. I get to talk shit with Jack White.”

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I just love writing songs. Even if they’re not for me, I love channeling my emotions and using them as a lightning rod for inspiration. If I had to pivot I think I’d want to be a film director. Honestly, that will probably end up happening. Fuck it, let’s do it all.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted someone to ask me less about “reinvention” and more about integration. Like, how do you carry every version of yourself forward without feeling trapped by any of them? Because I don’t really see my acting, writing, music, DJing, or even the internet chaos as separate identities. They’re all just different expressions of the same person trying to connect and tell the truth in some way. As for questions I’m tired of answering… probably anything framed like “what’s it like being the girl from School of Rock now?” I’ll always love that movie and I’m deeply grateful for it, but I’m way more interested in talking about what I’m building currently than being treated like a nostalgia artifact from 2003.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wish I’d started releasing music sooner. I wish I’d started that girl band back in college. But no regrets, I believe in divine timing. I think the Universe is like a GPS. It’ll always redirect me to the right path even if I take a wrong turn.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Oh god, too many to choose from. I’m having decision paralysis. Okay, fine, gun to my head it’d be Tragic Kingdom.

RIVKAH REYES LINKS:

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Category: Interviews