Interview: 2018 Must-Know - Rainsford

You might not be familiar with Rainsford Qualley's name yet, but you'll be sure to recognise her face from an appearance on 'Mad Men', or modelling for cult dreamgirl label Réalisation Par, and Calvin Klein (following in the footsteps of her mother Andie MacDowell), as well as the likes of Chanel and Vogue.

Now focusing on her music, Rainsford promises new songs this year, the first of which is 'Japanese Time', which follows up her Twin Shadow collab of last year, 'Intentions'.

MUST-LISTEN: 'Intentions', 'Flowers In A Vase', 'Too Close'.
YOU WILL LIKE, IF YOU LIKE: Jessie Ware, Twin Shadow, Dua Lipa, Kelela, Jhené Aiko, Banks, Rae Morris, Haim... and coveting everything from Réalisation Par.

COUP DE MAIN: What was it like working with Twin Shadow on 'Intentions'?
RAINSFORD: It was lovely. He's incredible.

CDM: You open 'Intentions' by asking, "How can I tell you what I really want to say?" Why do you think it's so hard for humans to communicate openly?
RAINSFORD: I can't speak for all humans, but I am very shy. And I find it difficult, especially in budding relationships, to be completely open. For me, that usually comes from a place of insecurity and fear of rejection, which is what I was working out when I wrote that song.

CDM: Is there a Rainsford EP or album on the way?
RAINSFORD: There is! I'm very excited about the songs I have coming out soon. We're still working out the exact date, but some time in the next few months.

CDM: What do you hope for people to take away from listening to your music?
RAINSFORD: I just hope people listen. I don't have any expectation of someone else's experience with music.

CDM: At what age did you write your very first song ever, and what was it about?
RAINSFORD: I started writing songs in my head when I was a kid to put myself to sleep. But the first song I ever demoed was a song I wrote in my late teens about being worried about my older brother.

CDM: How does your songwriting process work?
RAINSFORD: Every song happens differently. I'm always writing lyric ideas in the notes in my phone and recording little melodies, so sometimes I draw from that. Other times I'll be inspired by something I'm going though or something I see happening that sparks in me. There's really no one way.

CDM: What do you think is the difference between a good song and a great song?
RAINSFORD: I think that's very subjective, but for my own work, I feel great about a song when I'm not embarrassed to play it for anyone.

CDM: If you were a country, what would be your national anthem?
RAINSFORD: I would have to take in the people and surroundings of my country before I could make that decision.

CDM: What do you think is the strongest human emotion?
RAINSFORD: Love. (Duh, or fear. Or lust. But I think and I hope love.)

CDM: If R.A.I.N.S.F.O.R.D. was an acronym, what would each letter stand for?
RAINSFORD: Really All I Need, She Flickered, Offering Radiant Death.

CDM: What’s on your bucket-list?
RAINSFORD: I want to experience as much as I can in this lifetime. I love animals, so I'd love to spend some time helping rehabilitate exotic wildlife somewhere. I obviously have a lot of music oriented goals I'd like to accomplish. The simple ones being to release a body of work I am proud of and that hopefully connects with a large audience allowing me to tour around the world - fingers crossed.

CDM: You’re one of our 'must-know’ artist picks for 2018... who are yours?
RAINSFORD: Oh, thank you! My co-writer/producer JaJa Bu is my top choice. And also M. T. Hadley, Abra, Banoffee, and Liss.

Watch the 'Too Close' music video below...