Catching up with Drummer/Producer Ryan Raines

Ryan Raines is the drummer for Dominic Fike, and produces/drums for Peach Tree Rascals and Jackii Kennedy.

Seamus Blackwell: You’re an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and producer at a relatively young age — what are your earliest memories pertaining to music? Did you grow up in a musical household or is it something you came to on your own? Was there ever a conscious decision to get into music?
Ryan Raines: I wouldn’t say it was a musical household. None of my family played instruments. My earliest musical memory though is when my dad bought me a mini Squire Strat when I was maybe 4 or 5 years old. I remember using a quarter as a pick. I still don’t really consider myself a guitar player, but come to think of it, it was the first instrument I started to play. Then around 9 years old, my mom put me in piano lessons. I loved playing and writing songs, but I hated practicing for my lessons, always playing never really practicing. Then a couple years later I picked up the trumpet for band and about a year into that I gave it up to start playing drums, which became my main instrument. I never played drums prior to that. I never thought I could play them just because I had never really been around them. I assumed they were too expensive or too out of reach somehow. But during lunch at school I would go into the band room and play.… I think I was in 7th grade. I suppose before that, I would play “drums” on a Casio keyboard that we had at the house. I remember watching School of Rock and using the Casio drum sounds to play along to the movie, before I had an actual kit.

It’s funny how much of a cultural phenomenon School of Rock was. On the one hand, it’s a pretty silly movie, but it also seems that every millennial musician saw that movie as a kid and decided they wanted to be in a band.
I can’t think of a more influential movie that impacted my life. It’s kind of shameful to admit that.

But it’s true! Almost everyone I encounter that’s in our age group that plays music cites that movie in some way. It’s almost like this sleeper cultural milestone that is also somehow embarrassing to talk about.
It’s so real though. I actually just watched it for the first time in over 10 years, about a week ago. I knew every line, was totally transported. I fucking love that movie. 

So, in high school you started playing in bands? 
Yeah, I started playing drums and making bands — always playing in bands and writing songs throughout high school. Around the same time, I got this Tascam 8-track digital recorder, which I still have. No computer or interface, we just record right into it. I would record with that Casio and guitars. That was really my introduction to any kind of production. I would record all my bands with that 8-track before I ever started using any kind of programming or midi or anything.  

And then later you studied Jazz drums in college, right?
Yeah, Florida State. They also had a production program, but in hindsight I’m glad I studied drums. There was a lot of shit I didn’t have together on drums. But I studied my ass off and had a great teacher that really helped me dial it in. And during that time kept doing production stuff on my own, getting more into pop and the whole “laptop” production thing.

Yeah, I’m curious about that — you’ve had this formal Jazz training, but you’re also heavily involved in the pop or pop rock genre. You produce Peach Tree Rascals, you play in and produce for Jackii Kennedy, and you play drums in Dominic Fike’s band. Two pretty different genres in many ways. Does Jazz, the improvisational nature of it, seep into the way you approach those projects?
Yeah, absolutely. I think any music situation I’m in, I lean on my instincts as an improviser. Not just playing wise, but also in helping to facilitate the energy in a recording or writing session. My harmonic preferences for chords and structure are definitely informed by Jazz. It definitely permeates everything I do.

Tell me more about your role in Peach Tree Rascals. You’re not technically in the band, but maybe more of an honorary member? You produced and co-wrote their latest release Camp Nowhere. How did you meet the band?
Yeah, I met them through my writing partner Gabe [Reali]. Gabe and I go by Boyco and we’re credited on the Peach Tree Rascal songs under that moniker. But yeah, Gabe introduced them to me in February of 2020 and we hit it off right away. We spent a lot of time in lock down together writing and producing songs. We had instant chemistry; they’ve become my family away from home. They’re the only band I’ve met that truly does not have an ego. All the members are so in it for the music. They give each other meaningful critiques, and no one is hurt by it. It’s a good vibe. 

Yeah, as an outsider, you get the impression that the band is really in it for the music and not too precious about ideas.
Yeah, not being precious is really a cornerstone of that band. And while Gabe and I help produce, a lot of the band members are also really talented in that regard.

What else do you having coming down the pike this year?
I’m working on new music with Peach Tree, as well as Carlie Hanson, Romil Hemnani, Wens, and Clubhouse. I’ve been in the studio with Dom too. We’re working on a few songs that I’m really stoked on. We also have some shows lined up for later in the year. I just did a live video with Jackii Kennedy and we’re currently working on an EP that should be out later this year. I’ve known Jackii since elementary school, back home in Florida. We’ve playing music together since we were in high school. And now we live together in LA.

Sounds like a stacked schedule through and through. How do you maintain your sanity?
Luckily, I have a lot of help, great management that helps me keep the schedule in check. I meditate, which is huge. I also love to run. It just feels good to get out, sweat, and clear my mind. I usually don’t run with any music. Gives me a chance to rest my ears. I pretty much hang with my girlfriend and my friends and that’s about it. I’m not really into video games or anything like that. I don’t have any cryptocurrency. When I tell people that, they tell me I’m fucking up, that I’m going to be forgotten [laughs].