Tell us about your career, including your history, where you are from and how you started?
My name is Lennie Rayen and I’m a singer/songwriter from North Bay, Ontario.
I started writing songs around 12 years old but first got into playing music when I was 6.
I never had any musical influence from my family growing up, I just remember wanting to play music so bad as a kid, so i started taking piano lessons, and then eventually took up singing and guitar.
I always knew I wanted to be a musician but there was definitely a phase near the end of high school where I wasn’t as transparent about it, out of fear of judgment of what other people would think was an attainable life path. I don’t hide that anymore, I feel confident in what I want to do and I’m excited to create music that I’m passionate about.
How did you come up with your band name?
Question not applicable: I don’t have a band name.
Do you have any recorded music available for fans?
Yes! I have two songs out at the moment, my first single titled ‘Me & You’, as well as my most recent single ‘Like You Do’, both songs are available to listen to on every streaming platform. I have a lot of music written and I’m always writing more so I’ll always be putting more music out.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music as Alternative Indie/Folk or indie dream pop.
I love to experiment with my sound so it’s always hard to fit it into any particular box.
I’d say my music is dreamy and whimsical sounding, I hope it can put people in a calm place when they listen to it.
What makes your band or music stand out from the others?
I’d hope that it’s the songwriting because that’s what I am most passionate about. I just wanna make good music that I like and hopefully it can resonate with people in some way.
What do you like to do outside of music that contributes to your music?
I love visuals, I take a lot of inspiration from random photos or videos that I find. I’m often making video montages capturing different moments in my life or I’m always taking pictures of my friends, I just love having visual memories to look back on. I think having visuals is important in portraying the feeling of a song, it can help the listener get closer to what I felt when I wrote it.
Name your two biggest musical influences, and why?
I’ve always loved Leonard Cohen, he’s the first artist I listened to where his lyricism really stood out to me. I love his story telling, it doesn’t sound over thought or complex, it just sounds real, and I love that. His music, his poetry, it’s all pure brilliance to me. I even reference him in my song ‘Like You Do’.
I’d also say Lana Del Rey was the first artist to have an influence on my sound, I first heard her song ‘Born To Die’ when I was 13 and instantly fell in love with it.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
I write all of my own songs. There is never any particular theme I stick to or any “rules” I try to follow. When it comes to writing I do write more autobiographically, I find it easier to write about stuff I’ve actually been through or just however I’m feeling in that moment. I love to be experimental with my sound, I want every song I write to set apart from one another while also sounding cohesive played in a track list.
What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
I think one of the biggest challenges for me as an artist has been comparison. I think this applies for everyone, regardless of your career, but with social media, it’s so easy to look at someone else and assume that they have everything figured out, when in reality you just never truly know. I always get caught up in it and compare myself to other artists, when I don’t even know who they are. I try my best to shut it off and work through it though, staying offline helps me to think more for myself creatively.
What current projects are you working on at the moment?
I’m working towards releasing another single, called ‘Everything I’ve Needed’.
Lyrically I feel like this song covers a lot and unlocks a little bit of who I am on a more personal level, just different perspectives I’ve gained and lessons I’ve learned.
It’s different than my last two singles and I’m very excited for people to hear it.
Instagram: lennierayen
YouTube: LennieRayen
Apple Music:/lennie-rayen/1561024878
Spotify: Lennie Rayen
