We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Reva K. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Reva below.

Reva, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve made so far—in terms of both time and money—has been building my studio and learning to produce and record my own music. Before diving into the world of music production, I spent years collaborating with multiple producers, but none of them could ever create a sound that resonated with me. The worst part was that, in work-for-hire situations, I’d often end up with a final file I was unhappy with while the producer walked away with the significant fee I’d paid for their work.

It was that frustration that led me to take matters into my own hands. In 2017, I enrolled in an online music production academy run by Grammy-nominated producer, ill Factor. While I learned many production basics there, I soon realized I was gaining even more by actually arranging and producing songs daily rather than just watching tutorials. I dedicated hours every day to honing my craft.

After about a year, I finally created a track I was proud of using just a $150 microphone and audio interface. I entered it into Nashville’s Music City SongStar, an international songwriting competition—and to my surprise, the song made it to the semi-finals. That’s when I truly realized I might have something special to share with the world.

From there, I began upgrading my studio piece by piece over the course of about six years. I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with microphones and recording setups to get the best possible sound in my space—and I’m still always searching for better tools and techniques. The best part of investing in my own studio? I have the ultimate flexibility when it comes to my recording schedule.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a pop/rock musician and graphic designer, I write, arrange, produce, record, and create all the visuals for my music and artist brand. My sound has been described as “Summer 1995 updated for 2025” (SPIN), with “influences from Stevie Nicks” (Billboard Brazil).

I’ve always gravitated toward the arts since I was a kid—coloring on the walls as a toddler and picking up the guitar at age eight. I went on to study graphic design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Between all my visual art classes, every spare second was spent sharpening my songwriting skills and performing around campus. I always knew music was the center point of my creative endeavors, but when I graduated college and set out to build my music career, I had no idea where to begin. It’s taken me almost a decade of releasing music, going in circles, falling on my face, getting back up, and carving my own path into the unknown to start creating a buzz.

Of course, my most important product is my music. However, what I aim to provide with every release is so much bigger than just a handful of songs. The visuals, videos, merch, fan community, and performances all work together to create “The Revalution”—a space to dream boldly and feel a little less lonely in the complexity of life’s emotions. Most of the time, I try to keep a sense of playfulness in my work, as that’s how I get through some of my toughest days. My goal is to create a shared experience, a source of inspiration, and a good time.

What sets my work apart from others are the skills beyond music and art that I’ve been lucky enough to develop. I’ve learned everything I know about building a business—marketing, finances, organization, and more—by watching my dad run his company. I got a good dose of branding 101 from my design classes in college and learned a lot of technical recording skills from a producer I worked with for a few years. All of this has conditioned me to keep a 360-degree view of my business. It’s also allowed my output to remain extremely authentic—my head, heart, and hands are in every aspect of what I do.

Today, I can proudly say that my drive and dedication have led to FM radio play in multiple countries, including the US, UK, France, Spain, and Australia. I’ve been featured by big names like Billboard Brazil, SPIN, American Songwriter, and Fender. I’ve secured endorsements from amazing companies such as Kyser Musical Instruments, Rattlesnake Cable Company, JHS Pedals, and Reunion Blues. Most importantly, I’m grateful to have a growing fanbase of incredibly genuine, supportive people who have welcomed my music into their lives and are rooting for me.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

A little advice always goes a long way for me. During my time at the online music production academy, a highly accomplished guest producer said something along the lines of, “You can have other people on your team, but in the end, your music is your responsibility.” Since then, I’ve become very conscious of the fact that whether it’s my music, merch, or any kind of experience going out, at the end of the day, it’s my name on it.

With all this in mind, the word “no” has become one I’m not afraid to overuse. While I’ll never be able to avoid mistakes, I do my best to be honest with myself about the quality of my own work, as well as work that I hire out. If it doesn’t meet a certain set of standards, it’s back to the drawing board. I’ll happily choose quality over quantity and substance over speed. I want to build a lasting business on a strong foundation—not on shortcuts for the sake of immediate gratification.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I spent about three months in 2024 redefining what I want my brand and my music to represent. I have a few driving factors, and they can all be encapsulated in the term I mentioned earlier, which is the name of my fan community—“The Revalution.”

As an introvert, I want to encourage the more reserved dreamers of the world to get out and make their mark. “The Revalution” has allowed me to find the louder, bolder parts of myself, but at the end of the day, I still want to throw on a comfy hoodie and get lost in video games, music, or a great book on a Friday night. I always get nervous when stepping on stage in front of people. If someone out there sees me and thinks, “If she can do it, so can I,” then I’ve won.

I also want to prove that hard work, perseverance, and talent actually do result in success. The music business seems to be one of the biggest tests of that formula, but I believe if you smack a wall long enough, it’s bound to crack.

I’ve had my share of privileges, obstacles, good luck, and bad deals. I’ve wanted to give up many times, but here I am, still hammering at that wall. What’s amazing to me is how many people—from companies to fans all over the world—have begun embracing “The Revalution” and are, in various ways, helping me take down that wall. Based on what I’m seeing unfold in my journey, I’m starting to believe my own words more than ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therevalution.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revakmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RevaKMusic
• Twitter: https://x.com/revakmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@revakmusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/revakmusic
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xfVfjGHpvQV2VBemsSiju?si=6Ul2Fd6rSqej3-vlWn0XUw

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/reva-k/1535890882

Image Credits