New York City-based indie rock/pop musician and actor Rivkah Reyes releases her debut EP Fan Favorite, our EP of the month for November (yes, already!).
Best known for playing bassist Katie in the iconic School of Rock alongside Jack Black, Reyes has since appeared in One of Them Days with Keke Palmer and SZA. Now, she’s stepping into a new chapter as a rock musician, transforming into a full-fledged rock goddess on Fan Favorite, produced by Constantine Anastasakis.
Describing the EP packed with “sapphic doomcore situationship bangers”, Reyes brings together bubble-grunge, emo pop and gritty rock across a collection of songs that navigate child fame, queerness, addiction, sobriety and the complicated reality of growing up.
“’Fan Favorite’ feels like the truest introduction to who I am as an artist. It’s bratty, vulnerable, feral, and a little self-destructive, but it’s also about finding humor in the ways we embarrass ourselves trying to be loved.”
Rivkah Reyes
Reyes’ influences are clear throughout the EP, from the grunge and pop-punk sounds she grew up with to the artists inspiring her today. But Fan Favorite has a sound and identity all its own.
“I grew up on bands like Paramore, Hole, and No Doubt, and more recently fell in love with artists like The Beaches and Annie DiRusso, so this EP lives somewhere between bubblegrunge, emo pop, and lesbian rock. Every song is a different flavor of wanting to be chosen, and learning that maybe being everyone’s fan favorite isn’t the same thing as loving yourself.”
Rivkah Reyes
Reyes is best known for playing bassist Katie in School of Rock (the G note specialist), a life-changing role. Now, with ‘Katie’, she looks back on that experience in a letter to her younger self, reflecting on growing up in the spotlight and breaking free from being seen as the child she once played.
“‘Katie’ is about growing up and trying to figure out who I am when the world still sees me as the kid from ‘School of Rock’. I was ten years old when I played Katie, and while that role changed my life, it’s taken me a long time to understand who I am outside of it. This song is a love letter to my younger self and an attempt to make peace with the little girl I’ll always carry with me.”
Rivkah Reyes
With the release of Fan Favorite, Reyes also shares a video for ‘Loopholes’, shot in one take on a vintage camcorder at the Seneca Avenue M train platform in Ridgewood, Queens.
“The song is about finding yourself in a messy non-monogamous relationship and accepting less than you want because some part of you still believes it could turn into something more. You know how it’s probably going to end, but you keep finding reasons to stick around.”
Rivkah Reyes
With Fan Favorite, Rivkah Reyes is figuring it all out, on her own terms.
Live dates:
Nov. 6 – New York, NY – Sultan Room
Nov. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Peppermint Club
Nov. 24 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
Find Rivkah Reyes on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | X