:
Firstly, give us a little background on how you met each other and how Raintown came to be?
So long story short. We met each other when we both worked at 'The Palace" in the East End of Glasgow. It was a Las Vegas styled show-bar and we were part of the cast. The shows included dancers, themed shows and loads of great fun.
We became friends and quickly found out each others love for country music. At the time we were both doing projects outside of The Parade. The first piece of writing we ever did was re-writing a song that Paul had initially written as a birthday present for his mum, called 'Hero.' Claire fell in love with it and her band subsequently recorded the track. Unfortunately both our projects petered out and The Palace closed down.
We quickly got the opportunity to perform abroad and decided to go for it. At this point we were still only friends and had really only begun the tentative steps of writing together. However we knew there was a spark of something, a chemistry that allowed us to create something new and exciting. So it was in the baking sun of Gran Canaria that we decided to become a duo - and a couple for that matter - and where we picked the name 'Raintown'.
You released your second album Writing On The Wall in October 2015, how long did the process take from start to finish and what was your favorite part?
Yes we are really proud of the album and the reception that has received. We actually began writing the project some 3 years ago with 'If This Was A Love Song'. However the project did not get going until November 2014. We decided we were not going to wait any longer and take the risk of trying to crowd fund the new record. To add more pressure we were going to do it over 90 days and if that was not enough stress, we started the day before we went on our honeymoon. LOL!
The target was ambitious, but it needed to be with the quality recording we wanted to produce and the goals we had for the project. Our fans we AMAZING, they blew us away with not only their generosity but their constant support and encouragement. They truly are the best! We made our target and in December got into Parr Street Studio in Liverpool with American Producer, Justin Johnson and his team of brilliant musicians. We also had Stevie Lawrence from our own band come down and get involved.
We effectively go the album recorded over 4 sessions and we felt we had captured something special - we hoped anyways. After all the false starts and waiting around, Writing On The Wall was finished! None of it would have been possible without the support of the pledgers - we are forever grateful. We hope they are as proud of their album as we are.
In terms of favorite part - it's perhaps two fold. Firstly, it is the actual writing of the song, capturing those lyrics and conveying the right emotions. Secondly, being in the studio environment, we LOVE. The synergy of being around talented individuals, the creative process and final execution to tape is always exciting.
What do you consider the biggest differences between country music in the UK versus the US?
We guess this could be a whole article in itself. However, for means of brevity and not boring anyone, from our perspective the biggest differences are perception and established infrastructure of the genre.
In terms of perception, in the UK it is not uncommon to have ‘that’ conversation. You know the one. “No it is not Country and Western, it is modern country blah, blah, blah” It can also be evident in one of its variants, “That’s not Country Music because…..” or “I would never have said that was Country Music, because I don’t like Country Music, but I love your stuff.” So in terms of mass media or mainstream understanding of what we do there is a huge difference.
However we are passionate about this genre and it has come a long way in the last few years eg, the success of the annual Country2Country festival which has changed the perception of many, coupled with the growing popularity of the ‘Nashville’ TV series – which has just been cut - and of course the growth in home-grown artists, especially ‘The Shires.’ We believe that trend will continue and we will continue to work hard to remain very much part of it.
You also have to acknowledge that Country Music is the biggest format in the US. As such there is specific large format radio stations, TV networks, record labels, genre specific bodies (CMA) and hell even a whole city, ‘Nashville’ that promotes Country Music, 24/7/365. Therefore the infrastructure is established, successful and access to the music is - and its diversity - is much more easily accessible, especially in traditional media ie Radio/TV/Print. The result is of course that the demographic is much wider and therefore more fans to at least try your music and to come out to shows. That is a huge advantage.
What are your favorite song(s) to perform live and why?
Ah that’s really tough. We tried to say one each for this, however, we could not choose. Performing ‘live’ is really where it is at for us. We LOVE it. Our goal is to always give people more than they expect. We are trying to create moments in the show – and that is what it is a show – that lifts people and takes them on a little journey with us.
The reason it is so tough is that, certain tracks are about energy, power, and electricity. Songs like ‘Writing on the Wall. ‘Love’s Got a Hold’ or ‘Shut the Front Door’ are all about the really raising the roof. However we love taking it down, stripping it all back to the raw emotion and letting the vocals do all the work. That could include tracks like, ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough,’ ‘See You Again’ and ‘Picture of Us.’ We really want the audience to ‘feel’ those lyrics and see those ‘pictures’ we are creating with songs.
What are your top 3 songs or artists that you're listening to?
Ah another tough one. It changes like the proverbial wind. Our music collection is very eclectic, so if we were answering this last week, it would have been Patsy Cline, Zac Brown Band, and Queen.
However to answer the question more directly, we are currently listening to Keith Urban’s new album, Ripcord, Ashley Monroe, The Blade and The Essential, Dixie Chicks.
Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start in the music industry?
The best piece of advice we could give would be, only do it – and this can go for anything we guess - if it is your true passion. The music industry is – in equal measure –the most exciting and infuriating business in the world. There is no guaranteed blue print to success. No one size fits all path-way to fame and fortune. Some people’s journey is meteoric and others it is a gradual climb.
However, if its starts as your passion and you can’t sleep because you have a new song in your head or a new idea to bring value to your fans, then go for it! GO now. Take action and get your music out there. Be professionally persistent, learn from your mistakes, look to improve always, be patient and never give up.
What is the most played song on your phone right now?
Right now it is ‘Blue Ain’t Your Colour’ from Keith Urban’s new album ‘Ripcord.’
Do you have any pre-show rituals if so what are they?
Nothing that is ritualistic – we LOVE the excitement of gigs, the build-up, that feeling when you get the 5 mins curtain call. The only thing we do as the same always is that we like to start warming up our vocals about an hour out, with some scales, then singing along with an acoustic guitar.
Each of your guilty pleasure tv shows?
Paul – We don’t get loads of time for TV, but I will stay up late and binge watch The Blacklist and Lucifer.
Claire – Really enjoying ‘Jane the Virgin’ just now and The Walking Dead, also quite in to ‘Bates Motel.’
Each of your favorite foods?
Paul – Love a good steak – medium rare. If I am having a day off – Pizza, straight forward, no messing about cheese and tomato Pizza, mmm
Claire – Chinese Breast of Chicken Curry with rice.
