We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rain Lili. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rain below.

Rain , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I feel like my first notable learning experiences were at Boise Rock School. I was put in a group of other 8/9 year old aspiring musicians. We learned covers by artists from the Cranberries, The Doors, to Pink! And when we got our set together we would perform at the local “Linden Building” venue in Boise, Idaho. This is where I got my first experience with guitar, working with other musicians, and getting the chance to perform. I did this for about two years and stopped when I was 10. From then I continued on with music programs offered through school and kept up with learning guitar on YouTube. When I moved to Seattle in 2021, I was introduced to the local jazz scene. Everyday of the week you could find a bar having an open jazz jam. There were a was a wide variety of skill levels at each one. People like me who were trying to check out the scene and refine their skills, all the way to musicians that had been going to the same Monday night jam since it started. skilled, unconcerned, truly there for the music. Being near skillled musicians with such resolve helped me to ground myself in my own craft and stop thinking what other people thought. Especially knowing that there would always be “next Monday,” my fear of messing up in front of other people got smaller and smaller. I had never really sang improv before, I was always making songs with myself and my guitar. Having the opportunity to let my guard down and sing “whatever” with all sorts of musicians helped me to be able to let loose and allow myself to be more creative. In these spaces I was built up. My imposter syndrome started to shrink and I really felt confident in my skill and who I was as a musician, and grateful for all the exposure to other people’s creativity. Before tapping into the jazz scene I was performing at local open mics doing what I had stuck with most of my life thus car, and although just as important, getting outside my comfort zone in Seattle was a critical step to move towards working with other musicians and starting projects that have continued to shape me.

Rain , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My most recent project is the one that feels most personal to me. Writing this was a lot about acceptance for me. It’s about facing life’s contradictions, when to ask questions, and when to move on. This is also the first project that I wanted to expand on more in another form of art. I’m working on a zine with a collection of drawings and writings that I felt really fueled me forward with this project and the message I wanted to convey. Next will be performing songs from my project “Chronolalia” will be on May 8th at the “Better Daze” festival in eastern Washington.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, I think the most rewarding part about being a creative is the community. I feel like my baseline raised once I started working with other musicians. It’s the power of people showing up for the same purpose. That goes for an audience too. the purpose for anyone there can be to have fun, be inspired, be with people. And you get the opportunity to be a facilitator of sorts. It feels good to be apart of that, no less while doing something I love. Can’t beat it.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The most I can say really is showing up! It does the most. Streaming is great and yes we want you to listen, and views do matter we can’t ignore that, but what really is the most sustainable way to keep your creatives going is being there. Buying merch, prints, inviting your friends. And if money is an issue, then maybe once in a while you can offer your special skill. Or even if you don’t think you can do that it can be simple like volunteering one night to do tickets at the door, selling merch, or filling up the water cooler for the night. I’m speaking mostly to the kind of events I’m around, but everywhere has tickets! Getting creative and working together to find ways to contribute is what will keep your scene alive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Rain.Lili

Image Credits

Julia Set instagram: @juuliaset
– angel wing photos, close ups

“Rig” instagram: @dresbrown
– black and white photos

Brian Kingsberry Instagram: @briankingsberryphotos
– Closeup performing