Rainn Byrns: No Fault Of Mine
Rainn Byrns spent his formative years between a suburban air force town in Texas and Swindon. When he isn’t performing, the recent art school graduate moonlights as a cleaner at the Science Museum archives. Rainn's ‘crappy-go-lucky’ perception of the world around him is equally honest and irreverent. We spoke to Rainn about his new introspective single ‘No Fault Of Mine’...
Your new single was released this week, it's brilliant if we may say so. What's the reaction been like for you?
Thanks! The reaction has been super positive, very excited about the radio six spins and kind words. I was down with some hardcore flu at the time so it was a little bit of a blur too!
About the single, you said "It’s overcoming the fear of accepting yourself and loving who you've become". Do you think 'No Fault Of Mine' is a representation of a journey you've been on personally?
I think it's a journey everybody goes on, flying the nest and the transition between teenage hood and adulthood. Not many people talk about it but it can be a pretty messy few years.
You've had a somewhat nomadic life, spending time in Texas, Swindon and London. How has this smorgasbord of hometowns influenced both you and your music?
It's tough being a kid, picking everything up and starting somewhere new. Everything seems in flux and kinda temporary. In Texas we went on loads of crazy road trips in a crap van, at this point I thought that's what life was about. I also had a brief two years in Scotland. For me music is a way for me to put the pieces back together.
Like many other creatives such as ourselves, you also have a second job, moonlighting as a cleaner in the Science Museum Archives. Does this give you a lot of time to think creatively? I know my mind wanders at work!
It gives me loads of time to listen to podcasts and get round to albums I've been meaning to listen to. It's a lot of time to myself, in a pretty creepy setting so it's nice to spin a bit of bossa nova to get by. I bring my notebook around too, and have a trusty piano phone app to get ideas down on.
You recently introduced your drag alter-ego, Lana Del Rainn, to the world at a show in London. Will we be seeing more of her at your live shows?
That's more than likely, it's something I'll do when I feel like doing. Like a lucky dip!
You've been recording music at home since you were 14, when you'd use a Wii microphone. Has this DIY ethos stuck with you when you're recording today?
The Wii microphone broke long ago (RIP) but the DIY spirit has remained intact. My tunes are pretty personal and candid so they lend themselves well to a home made process. I love the idea of being able to get up in the morning, have a stretch and create something. High-end studios are also really expensive which doesn't suit my custodial paycheck.
