Cray Drops "Fractions" And Talks Twitch In iEDM Exclusive Interview

Cray totally knows how to turn up. She got the party started bright and early at Electric Zoo last month. No stranger to the EDM scene, Cray is a stylish fan favorite who knows how to give the people exactly what they want.

The star just dropped her latest music video, "Fractions" on Friday. Mark these words: "Fractions" is going to make Cray a household name. The track is produced by Kid Froopy, who also produced major acts including Zeds Dead. As Cray shows you a new and versatile side of her, iEDM takes a trip down memory lane in an exclusive interview you won't find anywhere else. The Twitch star sat down with us and discussed festival crowds, her personal style, and what fans can expect from her over the next few months as she takes the road.

iEDM: Thanks for taking the time to chat, Cray! It was a big year for Electric Zoo. What was it like being a part of the festival's 10th anniversary?

Cray: This was my first time playing E-Zoo. I've heard such big things, so I was expecting a lot. It blew me away! I was expecting a ton, and it was amazing. The energy, the crowd, and the people. I loved the entire vibe. I really do. It was awesome.

iEDM: New York in general always knows what's up.

Cray: They come out. I was playing doors and had a big crowd come out!

iEDM: There you go. There's a reason why I never left.

Cray: And Look at all of this kandi that I got! I'm a kandi girl now.

iEDM: Oh my God. Did you enter the festival wearing any of that?

Cray: No! This is all from fans. After my set, I went out into the crowd and met some of them. 

iEDM: You are rocking it. I would have totally believed you would have showed up wearing all of that. I want to talk about festivals for a hot second. I know you said this is your first time playing E-Zoo. Do you have any early festival memories that stick out to you?

Cray: It would have to be Coachella. I'm from Canada, and moved to California for school. Coachella was the cool thing to do. I didn't have any idea what I was doing, but it obviously blew me away. I would then ask myself, "I could do this one day, right? Maybe. Probably not, but we'll see." The first festival that I played as Cray was Hard Summer 2016. I played doors at the main stage, and had no idea what to expect. I wasn't confident yet in my artistry. I didn't know if anyone was going to go. This little crowd came out, and it was the coolest thing ever. It blew me away. This year at Hard Summer, I played in front of a full crowd in a packed tent; more people than I have ever seen in my entire life. I got hit with all of that energy, and I literally barfed after.

iEDM: For real, for real?

Cray: For real. I got off stage, and I heard all of those screams. 

iEDM: Was it because it was unexpected?

Cray: It was because of all those people that were there, screaming. I was like, "Oh..my God." Each time it gets bigger, I get taken aback. 

iEDM: Do you feel that you're able to understand it more as you go along?

Cray: Yes. More people, more music, and more plays. All of that stuff leads to bigger things. When I do see packed houses, I think, "Oh my God. I am doing something right."

iEDM: It's not a surprise why things are playing out the way that they are. Speaking of playing, I know Twitch is all the rage with the kids out there. He opened my eyes to...

Cray: A whole new world.

iEDM: Yup--eat your heart out, Aladdin. It was unknown to me until people started namedropping certain people, and I started paying attention a bit more. Can you explain to people, who might be unfamiliar with the platform, how you utilized that to create your "brand?"

Cray: When I was making music at first; obviously, making music is a slow roll. I wasn't making money. My parents were like, "Cheney, what are you doing?" I would respond, "Haha, living my dream! Just hold on for a minute." I would think, "What am I going to do in the meantime?" I have no shows, I don't have an agent or a manager, what do I do? Well, I love gaming. This Twitch thing was always in the back of my head. I researched it for a while, and I started doing it. I did an entire year of streaming. I was streaming full-time; four or seven hours a day, everyday. I was like, "What else am I going to do?" I wasn't touring. If I'm making music, I was already at home. I started gaining this love for streaming. As this was happening, the bigger streaming got. It hit the boom with Fortnite and everything. I had this amazing fanbase. They love my music. I had these people who were so excited to see the music. And for music fans, I showed them Twitch. 

iEDM: It seems that the crossover is unlimited.

Cray: It really is.

iEDM: Let's talk about the remix that you did of Maroon 5's "Girls Like You." 

Cray: Yeah! It captures summer. I have visions of sipping a margarita by a pool. 

iEDM: I need to do that, like...right now. Why did you pick that song in particular, besides the beach-like vibes?

Cray: I mean, Maroon 5 when I was a kid, oh my God. When they asked me to do a remix, I was like, "No f*cking way." Of course, the song, "Girls Like You," is about women. Cardi B! It was a great opportunity. I knew I could flip it and put my spin on it. The original is so open to interpretation, that it could go anyway. I made it into a fun, summer tune. 

iEDM: That's right up my ally. Going back to video games, I used to play a lot more than I do now. I grew up playing Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Cray: Best. Game Ever.

iEDM: I actually have a real Ocarina because of playing the game. Can you name a few titles that you feel people should keep an eye out for?

Cray: Fallout is my favorite series, ever. I love RPGs. RPGs are hard because they are for a certain type of person. Shooters are like, pick 'em up and shoot. With RPGs, you need to get into the story.

iEDM: Dedication. 

Cray: You really need to get in there and play. I'm really excited for Red Dead Redemption 2. I just hung out with the Rockstar guys in the [New York] office. GTA is awesome. Spryo looks amazing. I went to E3 this year. It was unbelievable. I collect a lot of Funko pops. I was waiting in line, and my boyfriend was like, "Wow. You're really into this scene." It's no joke! Those exclusives are crazy.

iEDM: Well, you look cool doing it. Speaking of looking cool, iEDM likes people who enjoy rocking all kinds of crazy gear. What are a couple items of clothing you feel good in while you perform?

Cray: Vintage t-shirts. I wear a lot of vintage shirts that have games, or movies that I like on them. I usually don't wear skirts, but I wore one today. Shocking. At Hard Summer, I wore big overalls so I could get up there and climb. I'm small. They don't understand! Sometimes, I'm climbing up on the deck. I might be a superhero. 

iEDM: Your charisma really translates to your Twitter feed. I find it very entertaining A lot of people, in my opinion, have a hard time balancing their professional act and personal life.

Cray: Right. That's what I tell people. It's really me. There's no facade. People aren't like, "Oh, what's Cheney really like other than the artist she is?" I'm really like Cray. I was called Cray as a baby. I've always been Cray. 

iEDM: You were Cray before it became "a thing."

Cray: Before it became a thing! I've always been really funny. I hate saying that, but my parents always told me I was funny. I liked to make people laugh, so why would I not do that now? I like putting smiles on people's faces. We are doing something awesome. I don't need to be doing something so intense, and putting out music like a money machine. I just put it out and hope for the best. The fans are always there for me. Twitch. Pop music. Bass music. I'm never going to b*llshit my fans. My mom always told me, "Cheney, you are always going to be yourself." I'm glad everyone supported me.

iEDM: You are going to be a very busy person! What are a couple of dates that you are looking forward to?

Cray: I'm doing a headlining show in San Diego on October 12. I'm looking forward to that. I'm excited for VooDoo fest in New Orleans. New Orleans is one of my favorite places in the world, and I love Halloween. My family is going to be out there, ready to party. Champagne on deck. My mom literally rages. I tell her she needs to relax.

iEDM: She should be partying right here with us! Before we go Cray, the floor is all yours to show your fans some love.

Cray: My chickens! I can't appreciate them enough. There is no Cray without them. The fact that they are there, and make me laugh all of the time--I'm so thankful. I love them. This PLUR love is so great. One girl I met today started crying, then I started crying. It was a very emotional moment. I'm a crier. 

Cray knows how to put a festival outfit together. Make sure you look fly in your next festival outfit with our rave wear. Browse iEDM's Festival Collection HERE.

The photographs seen in this article were graciously provided by Lauren Johnson. You can see more of Lauren's work HERE.

You can follow Cray on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitch.