Raisin Awareness took a moment to answer our questions about their music and how they make it. Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
Jo and Rob lived together in a house share over the 20/21 lockdown and the idea of starting the band was born, we had a few potential names floating about and the dried fruit puns came up one night when we were hanging out in the kitchen, we wanted it to be fun and this also happened to be connected to the subject matter we wanted to cover in the band.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
Jo had a short stint as lead vocalist in a band with her brother and two of his mates back in 2004, but he moved to the UK and she didn’t really know how to start a band and so just continued dabbling with guitar until starting Raisin Awareness.
Daggi picked up the bass for the first time in 2021 for Raisin Awareness, as an avid music listener and gig goer it was time for her to be the Artist.
Robs been playing Guitar in uk hardcore punk band DARKO for 10 odd years and decided to try out hitting some drums.
How would you describe your sound?
Fun and punky with a message.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
The Burnt tapes, The Wonder Years, Bangers, Bracket.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Daggi: Don’t fade away by Satanic Surfers.
Rob: Saviour by Black Peaks
Jo: Figure Eights in my Head by A Wilhelm Scream
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Tidal for audio and the Youtube
Who is your dream producer?
At the moment we feel very lucky to have a friend like Will Duff working with us to help make our songs sound great but on the name theme then it would be fun to work with Will Putney – massive sounds.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
SunMaid the raisin brand haha maybe not, but actually if any Anime creator would love to work with us we would find it super cool to work on an anime soundtrack.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
Jo: My dad is a folk singer and was a lead caller and guitar player for a bush band back in the 90s, this and the fact my brother played in bands from his teens, led to music and live music being a big part of my life from an early age. I’ve always used music and writing songs as a way to express what’s going on in my mind. It wasn’t until starting Raisin Awareness though that I got to fully share that side of my creativity with others. I’ve always been surrounded by brilliant musicians who challenged and inspired me to keep making it.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
One of us will have an idea which we will demo in garage band and get together and play around with some more ideas whilst also trying it out in the rehearsal room. Lyrically, when we have a theme, typically someone will draft a verse and chorus and then we discuss to complete the song and fine tune it.
When we think we’ve got something together we send it to Will Duff for feedback and suggestions. Then we might make more changes before tracking it down.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
USB-C…hehe. Instagram and youtube are most used 😀 or email, or even better come to a show and hang out.
Links: marvelous.bio/raisinawareness
Instagram: www.instagram.com/raisinawarenesspals
Facebook: www.facebook.com/raisinawarenesspals
What’s next for you?
Never Ending story was our first single and song as a band and we have plenty more music and dried fruit puns to come on the road to our debut album Currant Times. Our second single No More is released 21st of August and we have more lined up tba.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Gigs coming up in the UK.
27/8/2023 – The Fighting Cocks, Kingston, UK alldayer. 14/9/2023 – Bromley, UK with Resuscitators and Open Palms
Bio:
Raisin Awareness is a passionate pop-punk band hailing from the UK. The band formed in 2020 during lockdown when Jo (vocals/guitar) and Rob (drums) seized their creative opportunity. Soon after, Daggi joined on bass, making them an unshakable musical trifecta inspired by bands such as Hot Mulligan, The Swellers, The Flatliners & The Menzingers, and an 80s/90s mashup of genres.
