A Pop and Folk Band Embraces The Beautiful Simplicity: Raynes Inspired by Arts and Crafts Movement
by Kate Nixon
By now, if you haven’t seen the designs of William Morris around, you haven’t been paying attention. The classic “Strawberry Thief” design has shown up in textiles, wallpaper, mugs, and even “Thank You” cards at your local bookstore. The designs of Morris and the American Arts and Crafts Movement have influenced a generation of contemporary artists to embrace the natural world, making a revival that originally kicked off in the flower-power era of the 1970’s. Today, that category of artists now includes the Pop-Folk band Raynes, whose new album Bloom goes on sale June 20th.
The cover for “Bloom” – the latest album by the Pop-Folk band Raynes. The album artwork, directly influenced by the designs of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, was completed manually by band mamber Mat Charley. Courtesy of Crystal Gaines/Mind Our Music Entertainment/Raynes. The album can be purchased HERE.
The pop-folk band Raynes will release their new album “Bloom” on June 20th. whose artwork is influenced by the William Morris aesthetic and the Arts and Crafts moement.
“Exploring the themes of growth and renewal, Bloom draws heavily from the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement, using its distinctive floral and botanical elements to visually and sonically evoke a garden.” – the band Raynes
Known as a British-American trio and “Musical Omnivores,” Mat Charley and Joe Berger, two musicians from North Dakota, met multi-instrumentalist Mark Race, a Durham, UK native, and combined their musical influences to create a sound blending folk, Americana, and baroque pop with Celtic and world music. Their sound proved to be a hit: the group has released six singles, two EPs, has signed with Sony Music Publishing, and is currently touring to sold out crowds across the US and UK. Their latest effort is Bloom, a record about growth and renewal: the sound and their artwork are in tribute to all things nature.
“Exploring the themes of growth and renewal, Bloom draws heavily from the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement, using its distinctive floral and botanical elements to visually and sonically evoke a garden,” Raynes writes in a statement to ArtsandCraftsCollector.com. “The EP itself is also meant to “bloom” from the first song to the last; the opening track has a relatively spare arrangement, and each subsequent track becomes more layered and lush until the EP ends in a full symphony.” Additionally, the lyrics of the songs on the album refer to elements of the natural found in a garden – seeds, roses, trees, butterflies, birds, rain, and sunshine – it is clear that the heavy garden theme is indeed intentional, hoping to inspire with that theme of renewal.
The William Morris-inspired artwork of the album was done completely manually (AI free according to the band’s manager) by band member and songwriter Mat Charley, adding a rich and vibrant visual to an album the band says is an art project in itself.
Not only do fans get a vinyl album with vibrant artwork, it will come with additional goodies: for every vinyl sale, $1 will be donated to Pollinator Partnership, the largest non-profit organization in the world dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators. Raynes is the only band they’ve ever partnered with. The vinyl will be sent to fans with wildflower packets branded with a “Your Mouth Is a Garden” lyric: “Wait for it all to bloom.”
“We’ve said before that Raynes is an art project,” Raynes goes on to say. “Everything that we do is intentional—the songs, lyrics, art, color palettes, imagery, merchandise, marketing, wardrobe, etc., all form a cohesive whole (we hope). There are throughlines in everything that we make.” This same intention is reflected in their previous album ’49 released in November of last year, where the aesthetic and the songs were inspired by the 1849 American gold rush featuring songs that tackle mental illness, Samson and Delilah, the London Blitz of WWII and others in that era. Clearly, their promise for intentional art and for making a sonic and visual experience is working for them.
So next time you see a William Morris thank you card on the shelves of your local Barnes and Noble bookstore, know that the William Morris influence extends much further than you think. The album Bloom comes along at a time when many of us need a reconnection to the vibrant natural and a sonically rich experience. Raynes looks to have that in spades.
You can read about and purchase Bloom on the Raynes website HERE.
Bloom is available for both pre-order and the entire record will be available for purchase starting June 20th.
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