We recently connected with whoisraylene and have shared our conversation below.

whoisraylene, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

I feel like the most unexpected problems I’ve faced while on my creative journey were all the life-jolting experiences I never saw coming – whether it was living in New York as my first time move away from home, fighting to survive from an abusive relationship, to severing family ties for temporary lessons or even questioning existence – it was always those types of experiences I LEAST expected to endure that taught me the most profound points on life. In those moments, everything can feel like things are crashing down all around you, you can almost lose all your sense making and thought of what hope even is. Yet the greatest reward I can be appreciative for in life thus far, is dedicating myself to choosing to remain resilient through it all. One’s mindset amidst any life journey, may feel like the tiniest bit, yet can pave way to the biggest spurts of positive growth and healthy fruition. If we choose to become open to new ways of thinking by simply deciding to remain resilient, that resiliency can help you refuse to make any of the same mistakes in life that try to drive you to insanity.

whoisraylene, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Raylene, yet in the entertainment world of music & arts, I go by “whoisraylene”. The name came up as a play on me learning who I was/is, even before I’d present myself to the world as a musical artist.

I initially came into this industry by simply exploring music as a form of therapy. Initially out of pure curiosity on wanting to find out why I felt so naturally gravitated to music, especially during lonely or healing times, I’d go into studio sessions (shout to Seattle’s Truth Studios) with now longtime friend yet then musical connoisseur, teacher and artist himself, GMK – and as silly as it sounds we’d just BE. BE whatever it was I wanted to be, hear, feel or experience sonically while being present in the moment amidst instruments and other music making machines. I had no sense of song-writing direction or knowledge of any technical musical terms, I’d merely sing feelings – whether pent up from the past, stuck on in the present or maybe even foreseeing in the future – and then I’d mix those words of feelings into melodic sounds that over time I learned I could make and carry out with my voice. I’d surprise myself a lot in the process of how swiftly my growth on this musical journey began. Being in touch with myself during these freeing, creative times was enough of a sign for me to seize more of these musical moments.

What I’ve became most proud of during this journey, is trusting myself to be vulnerable in the ways that I have through music. The words in my head that felt like spoken word poetry, paired with a harmonic beat or instrumental, is what provided me that release we all need in any of our therapeutic endeavors. Many of the songs I write about can be very personal – sometimes specific stories from past lives with people no longer in my life, or personal manifestations I want to see come my way – it at most times feels like an audio diary that I get to share with anyone who wants to listen. Openly sharing that visibility with the public world has been testament to me feeling a sense of pride and ownership in what I love to do and create, which is music.

I want supporters of my music to know that it is an HONOR to be able to capture even minutes of your attention through these experiences of storytelling through music and sounds. You could be listening to anyone in THE WORLD, and yet you chose to listen to me?! Phew. Definitely a humbling honor.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Currently on this creative journey, I really want to inspire my nieces and nephews in a way where they know they can and will pursue ANYTHING they are passionate in, and that passion will carry them through whatever potentially preposterous life event that may test the time, EVERY time – I’m aiming for that through my actions. The way I go about dedicating my life to a passion that I love, they’ll hopefully see the happiness and sustainable fuel your passion can bless you with when you let it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Show up the same way you would at an electronic store back then when your favorite new artist just dropped a new CD you purchased. Or maybe even the same way you’d rush to download it on LimeWire for free – hehe.

And don’t be afraid to share positive feedback! Even if it is via an Instagram DM to a complete stranger you haven’t ever formally met before IRL (in real life). Positive feedback is SUPER rewarding, especially to independent artists like myself and even MORE especially when it’s sincere!

The first time I ever performed at a festival, I remember getting a DM from a younger girl who heard my music in the crowd and she SHOWERED me with beautiful compliments in the sincerest way, which provided even more reassurance as to why I’d love to do this for the rest of my life. I even sent some whoisraylene merch to her afterwards, to keep the positive experience going.

Positivity is infectiously beautiful when you get the luxury of experiencing it. So share that with those around you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whoisraylene.com
• Instagram: @whoisraylene
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McSmZkyXLuc
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/uzqJA9QhJ4EpNGia6
• Other: Threads: @whoisraylene

Image Credits

Jeffrey Hunter, Takidrea Toms, Lewis Johnson