Artist of the Day | RAINA KRANGLE
ARTIST OF THE DAY
26.08.2021
RAINA KRANGLE
LOCATION
Toronto, ON, Canada
GENRE
Folk/Rock
CURRENT MEMBERS
Raina Krangle
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
Everything actually came to a "halt" for me a year before when I went through recovery from a mild traumatic brain injury. (MTBI) I was forced to figure out how to be comfortable in the stillness and unknown, reflect and work on self-care. I had a vast amount of creative flow, wrote many songs in short daily music practices and found myself back playing my first instrument, piano, which was more soothing to me then the guitar some days. I used this as my own therapy for healing. In a strange way, I felt a bit prepared when the "Covid halt" happened, which as an educator in the public school system, I think we saw coming. On March 20, 2020, I had pre-scheduled the release of a new single, "My Beautiful Dear", which was one of the songs from this creative writing spurt and who's initial melody came to me in a vivid dream. I could never have predicted this would also be the same day everything shut down the first time in Ontario, Canada. It was a whirlwind but I was home and it ended up being a "beautiful distraction" in the mess of everything! I had its' release online that evening and since I was still having some trouble being around a lot of light & noise at this stage of recovery, the ability to connect with fans online was way easier for me and I hope healing and distracting in the chaos for them too:)
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
I had gigs that I had to cancel prior to the pandemic and I was hoping to do a short tour out to Eastern Canada in the summer eventually, since I'd gone west last time, but the head injury and Covid changed that course but not all for the worst. All of it inspired songs and a new album and artistic journal book, "Headbangers- A Musical Recovery of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury" which I hope to finish soon and share with fans. I also wrote a bunch of songs expressing my experience with Covid and living through a pandemic and just released another new single and 6th release, "West Coast Huck Finn" (July 18, 2021) all about a Canadian West Coast travel adventure to the surfing town of Tofino. I ended up doing my own vocals and figured out some new technology and how to work remotely with my producer. Plans for a 7th release and album are in process and I hope to do some touring to support that when it's released.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
No such thing as free time! I had to carve it out. I was trying to transition back to work as an educator in the middle of the pandemic and was teaching elementary kids in person and then online. The screen time was really hard and simultaneously learning new technology while planning and teaching was exhausting. I was trying to balance those demands with my own needs for self care and physical well being, as I was still healing. It was very challenging but since I had learned self care techniques to aid in healing, I continued with these strategies I had in place like setting boundaries, scheduled breaks from technology, healthy cooking, hydrating, daily nature walks, making sure to get proper sleep, photography, yoga, breath work, musical therapy and trying to get back to some aerobic exercise. Exercise is really important for brain injury recovery and instrumental 🎶 (pun intended🤣 ) for my mental well being too! So that and music (writing, singing, practicing piano/guitar,- whatever I could manage that day) have been so valuable and cathartic to instil hope, positivity and resiliency in me and hopefully I passed that energy on to my fans throughout COVID, when I shared my music videos or short live shows.
As things are reopening & restrictions are lifting have you booked any new gigs? Tours? Etc? If your region is still under restriction, how are dealing with the Covid third wave?
I think we have had one of the longest shut downs in North America and the Toronto area is just beginning to open up. I sense many people are still hesitant to attend live shows unless outside. I don't have gigs booked yet but I think there is a great opportunity to attract fans from all over the world online and also start to perform live shows, which many people are craving and some beginning to attend in person. I think people are waiting to see if there will be a 4th wave as things open up in stages.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
I haven't had the pleasure to be there yet and perform (that would definitely be my favourite moment!) but I'm quite sure I would've loved to hear Jay Gilday, who I had the pleasure to jam with years ago at a Folk Music Ontario Conference. Thanks to Eric Alper for introducing me to this series!
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
I can offer what I have learned and that is that life is full of ups and downs and whenever there is darkness, there is also always light! So keep your eyes open and know that tough times won't last forever. For positive, hopeful music messages to soothe and warm your soul, check out my music wherever you consume yours.
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