Raven Numan’s world is one of contrasts: haunting melodies juxtaposed with fierce industrial beats, pure vulnerability layered over dark aesthetics. The 21-year-old artist is quickly making a name for herself, drawing inspiration from her struggles with OCD and BPD, as well as a fascination with Victorian fashion and Gothic culture. In this exclusive interview with whynow, Raven shares how her love of the macabre, her upbringing, and her passion for music have shaped her career so far.
whynow: Hey Raven, how’s life in LA?
Raven Numan: It’s cloudy and cold – or at least cold for me. It’s about 70 degrees, which I think is around 21 degrees Celsius? I know people in the UK would call this warm, but here in LA, we’re so used to the heat that even a little chill feels dramatic.
whynow: Let’s talk about your creative aesthetic. Your style, from fashion to makeup, feels so rooted in Gothic and Victorian influences. What inspires you outside of music?
Raven Numan: Victorian fashion has always been a massive inspiration for me. There’s something so dark and dramatic about it, and when I was younger, I was completely obsessed with the period. I’d dress in Victorian-inspired outfits for a while. It felt like stepping into another world.
And then there’s Penny Dreadful. My parents used to watch it all the time, and I became obsessed with it too. Eva Green’s performance really stood out to me. It was so dark and powerful. Around the same time, I discovered Nine Inch Nails’ Woodstock ’94 performance. That was a huge turning point for me. Seeing them on stage with their intense presence and aesthetic really struck a chord. It made me realise that this was what I wanted to do with my own performances.
whynow: You mentioned Penny Dreadful, do films in general play a role in your creative process?
Raven Numan: Absolutely. I’m a huge horror fan. Films like The Conjuring are my comfort watches. I’ve probably seen it over a dozen times. Recently, I’ve been into movies with strong religious imagery, like The Omen and Immaculate. There’s something about the mix of beauty and darkness in those films that I find really inspiring, especially visually.
On the other side of things, I also love Scorsese’s mafia films. People don’t expect that from me, but I’ve always been drawn to the way he builds tension and creates complex characters.
whynow: Are you religious, or is it more about the imagery?
Raven Numan: I’m not religious at all. My dad is a hardcore atheist, so I was raised without much religion. My mum is Catholic, though, so I think that’s where my fascination with religious imagery comes from. It’s less about belief and more about the aesthetic and the stories that can be told through it.
whynow: Your music often explores mental health themes, like OCD and BPD. How have these challenges influenced your art?
Raven Numan: They’ve shaped everything. My OCD has been with me since I was little, though I’m not sure exactly when it started. With my BPD, I know the roots. When my parents went on tour, I’d stay with my grandparents. My grandma, bless her, would tell me little lies to comfort me, like saying my parents were just popping to the shops, even though they’d be gone for months. She meant well, but it created this deep sense of abandonment.
I wasn’t diagnosed with BPD until I turned 18, and that was a mix of a shock and a relief. For years, I didn’t understand why I’d have these intense mood swings and emotional outbursts. Therapy helped, but music has been my real outlet. Whenever I feel myself spiraling, I sit down and pour it all into my lyrics. That’s when I create my best work, when I’m in the thick of those emotions.
whynow: That’s such a powerful way to channel those emotions. What coping mechanisms have you developed to manage these challenges?
Raven Numan: I’ve learned to be really honest with the people around me. When I feel an episode coming on, I tell them, “Please don’t talk to me right now. I need space.” It’s my way of protecting them and myself.
I also spend a lot of time reading about BPD. It’s fascinating and helps me understand what’s happening in my mind. Of course, I still have moments where I slip up. Just the other night, I felt myself spiraling after seeing a video of Tyler, The Creator performing at Coachella. Something about the song triggered me, and I had to sit down at the piano and get those feelings out before they consumed me. Music has become my greatest coping mechanism. It allows me to process those emotions in a way that feels productive.
whynow: Let’s talk about your music. Do you have a clear direction for where you want your sound to go in the future?
Raven Numan: I’d love to incorporate more orchestral elements into my music. Strings are so beautiful, and I think they’d add a new dimension to my sound. Eventually, I’d love to score films, too. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails have been a huge inspiration in that regard. For now, I’m still experimenting and figuring out exactly what my sound is. It’s a mix of industrial and dark pop, but I’m always looking for ways to evolve.
whynow: Do you have any upcoming tours or releases you can share?
Raven Numan: 2025 is going to be a big year: live shows, new music, and more. I can’t reveal too much, but I’m really excited about what’s coming. It’s going to feel like the next chapter in my career, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
whynow: What’s the most rewarding part of being an artist for you?
Raven Numan: Hearing that my music resonates with people. It’s amazing to know that I’m not alone in what I’ve gone through and that my music can help others feel less alone too. That connection is everything.
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