After establishing himself with a string of rich and shimmering delights these last few months, Dublin-based artist Rain Jamerson is now ready to cement his legacy to date with his wondrous debut album 'A House Where The Light Is Master'.
Featuring the previously shared gems 'Blessings', 'The Realest (Don't Look Down)', and 'Morning Air', this new ten-track collection makes for a rich and woozy introduction to his direction to date. With its warm and alluring textures, breezy atmosphere, and his own compelling vocals at the helm, 'A House Where The Light Is Master' marks a vibrant moment in his immersive ascent so far.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When we were kids we used to crank the stereo and jump around as if we were playing the music......before anyone knew how to play any instruments. I always wanted to be the drummer. That seemed like the coolest instrument to me. When I floated the idea of learning drums with my parents and the local music school, I was told I would have to learn a different instrument first. I chose the bass.........to which they replied, ''ok, you can learn the bass, but you have to learn acoustic guitar first''. I said, ok, I'll learn the guitar. The music teacher then decided that I should really learn the piano first, so that I would have a better general introduction to music theory. It was a hilarious situation – I had to learn the piano so that I could learn guitar so that I could learn bass guitar so I could be a drummer! I am currently learning the drums!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
There was loads of music around when I was growing up. My dad had loads of records, Prince, Bob Marley, and all that. Some of the older neighbours had tape collections that we used to ''borrow'' from. That would have been Rage Against the Machine and Metallica's Master of Puppets. I loved all genres, but I really gravitated to anything with groove or attitude.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first physical music I ever owned were cassette tapes I copied from some older brothers of a friend of mine, and stuff I had recorded from the radio with my tape player. That is such a boomer answer. The first music I actually bought was a CD called Dance Massive 2, one of those compilation albums. It had over 40 tunes, so I figured that was good value.....and the Outhere Brothers were on it – Boom, boom, let me hear you say ah-yo!!
The second album I bought was Nirvana's Nevermind......so you know, swings and roundabouts!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Sweet lord......This is kind of an impossible question. At the time of answering this question, the first song that comes to mind is ''I wish'', by Stevie Wonder. That or ''Playing your game, baby'', by Barry White. The list goes on and on.....Golden Goose by Parliament. I'll stop now.
I'll stick with ''I wish''. A completely outrageous groove that makes you love life a little bit more the moment you are hearing it. Incredible.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
It has taken me a very long time to get to this point - I feel as though creativity is an energy that anyone can tap into........more than that.....if I create an environment that creative energy would like to flow into, peaceful and spacious, then it will flow in abundance. So in my mind, my overall wellness is linked directly with my ability to access creative states. I made some big changes a few years ago, I gave up alcohol, I took my self care much more seriously. I have discovered that a more consistent ability to be creative has been an awesome by-product of those changes. If I am planning on doing a lot of writing, I will really step up my self-care – more meditation, time in nature, time around people and places I find inspiring.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
There is so much incredible music around right now. I have loved discovering Bathe, and rediscovering Meshell Ndegeocello......Meshell's work and energy are my favourite things from the world of music right now. I think it is the authenticity that strikes me the most.
Specific to Ireland, there are two acts from my home place that are doing incredible stuff, that is Malta Kano, and Cloudbuilding. I take tonnes of inspiration from what they both do. Check 'em out!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Since this is an exercise in imagination why not go all the way! There is a documentary I really love to watch called ''Soul Power''. It's about a music festival that happened as part of the George Foreman vs Mohamed Ali fight in Kinshasha, Zaire, in 1974. James Brown headlined, with B.B king and Bill Withers also on the line-up. They looked like they had a hell of a time. If I could open for anyone in the world AND had access to a time machine, that would be the gig. If access to a time machine was not possible I would very gladly open for George Clinton, anywhere, any time.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I am a mega-introvert. The moments I find most rewarding are the moments spent creating music in my little studio by myself. I just love doing it. A close second are the moments when I am listening back to something I have written that I really love. All the recording for my debut album that came out on the 11th of November (a house where the Light is master) was done solo by me. It was quite a rewarding feeling to release something I was so proud of. Having said that, I am really looking forward to collaborating with other artists for the next project(s).
And what is the most frustrating part?
It's kind of a double-edged sword. I don't always know right away if an idea is good or not......or whether I like it. There are times where I have worked on one idea for days......and after I let it rest for a while, and listen back with a fresh mind, I realise that it is total garbage. That is frustrating. Lol.
BUT without question, the most frustrating thing about music is the business and industry that surrounds it. There are so many fakers and snakes praying on the aspirations of creators, and so many voices telling you what you ''should'' be doing to be successful. For me, it's about finding an authentic way to exist in the business without damaging any of the creativity. That is work in progress!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
This is pretty much a cliché......but it is so so true.....and really hard to do. Make art that you love that is truly you. I'm still discovering my voice, but my intention is to be as ''me'' as I can be. If I try to sound like someone else, the best outcome I can hope for is to be a less-good version of them. My path is to be me. I guess it's two pieces of advice really, but I think it's true for anyone in music....or life......be the most ''you'' version of you possible, and to find what you love the most, and do that. Simples!
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Rain Jamerson's debut album 'A House Where The Master Is Light' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.