INTERVIEW: LUKE RAINSFORD

Before his Brighton gig I had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful Luke Rainsford. He was an incredibly lovely guy and we chatted about everything from 2000 Trees and new music plans, to his worst interview experiences (luckily he didn't say this one!) and some of the weird and wonderful - and in this case, bird themed - things that can be found hidden amongst the internet.

So you just played 2000 Trees, how was that?

Oh it was great! I ended up playing like four sets, which was really cool. My main set was on Wednesday night so we didn't expect anyone to come, but it was really busy so that was cool as hell. I also played the busking stages where I played some weird sets, new songs and covers and stuff. It was really fun! I had a great time.

You've played Trees a few times before, what's your favourite part of it?

I love how friendly it is! A lot of festivals everyones there just to get super drunk and stuff, which is cool but Trees is a lot more chilled out! Also, the lineup is always so varied. My music taste is all over the place and it's really cool for that because I can go see like an emo band or a punk band, a heavy band or something more chill so yeah, it's really cool for that!

It's obvious you enjoy it, you played so many sets this year! What's your favourite thing about playing shows?

It depends on the show! I love playing small sweaty shows! With festivals and stuff it's always cool playing weirder places, like a forest with Trees or Slam Dunk north last year was a university campus, I love the weirdness. You always end up doing weird things and playing to weird people, It's really fun!

Do you have a favourite venue to play?

I'm a big fan of The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham, that's great. Key Club in Leeds is great as well.  Those are my favourites for sure!

Are there any venues you want to play that you haven't yet?

I've already kinda achieved my main goal - I always wanted to play Underworld [Camden] and I did that in March, which was cool as hell! If i was being ridiculously over-optimistic it'd be Brixton Academy - I saw Blink there when i was like 18 and that was rad as hell so, probably that!

Do you have a favourite song to play live?

This changes like every week - anything except home safe! At the minute it's probably new songs that I haven't been able to play much, I've been practising those for when I make the new record.

What about favourite song you've ever released? 

Probably What I Hide Beneath! I'm proud of it, I think it was really ambitious. It goes through so many vibes in such a short space of time, and it doesn't really repeat itself which I'm really stoked on. I don't really play it live that much, because it's a killer to sing and it doesn't really translate solo, but I love it.

Do you prefer playing full band then?

100%! I don't really like acoustic music that much - I'm not ashamed of saying that! I've said it my entire music career, but I won't be playing acoustic stuff much longer! My new music is not gonna be very acoustic at all which I'm really excited about. obviously I still love acoustic shows! Theres just something about playing a tour with lots of people which is the best experience, the shows are so fun!

Favourite band you've toured with?

Holding Absence! No question, don't even need to think about that!

I gotta ask, what do you think of Luke Birdsford? [A twitter account that posts photos of luke photoshopped as birds, very entertaining stuff]

The internet is a weird weird place, but I think it's cool as hell that someone has dedicated their time to making really dumb memes about me! It's super funny and a cool way to interact with people in a different way. I love that me making music has led to a meme account about me! I've never experienced anything like that, It's really funny

Finally, thank you for doing this interview! I hope it wasn't too much of a disaster.

Not at all! I had an interview once where the interviewer knew absolutely nothing about me, she literally said "So, you released music? What was that?" So this is far from the worst!

LUKE RAINSFORD - I JUST DON'T DESERVED TO BE LOVED - TRACK BY TRACK EP REVIEW

Over a year after its release, singer/songwriter Luke Rainsford's EP "I Just Don't Deserve To Be Loved" is still is as moving, important and emotional as ever. Through raw and expressive vocals coupled with sorrowful lyrics - documenting struggles with loss, love and mental health - Rainsford is able to create something with a lasting effect that will, whether it be the first or thousandth listen, never fail to radiate pure and honest emotion.

"Looking For Your Ghost" is the first track on the EP and the first song that was written for this project, it's an incredibly beautiful and personal tale of loss. Gentle vocal melodies layered over chords that almost sound too happy contrast with the vulnerable lyrics and reflect on a time where Luke feels as if he "Didn't function as a human very well". Much like the other songs on "I Just Don't Deserve To Be Loved" it shows off Luke's impressive songwriting ability and truly sets the tone for the profoundly meaningful lyricism that runs through the heart of the EP. Gentle repeats of "I wear myself out, but only let you down" echo softly as they lead into the next proclamation of self-deprecation.

A just under two-minute song titled "I Can't Keep My Promises", which opens with a pleasant acoustic riff before introducing Lukes vocals, full of pain and heartbreak as he sings "You told me to be strong, but I just can't". It may be short, but it is grief-stricken and haunting, with the final words of "You're the reason why I do this" stuck echoing in your head, something you think about long after the track has finished - much like the events of a funeral, as Luke so sorrowfully sings about attending.

A ringing chord that finishes the track morphs slowly into "An Open Letter", a personal favourite of mine. It is packed with harmonies and composed in such a stunning way, a true representation of Luke Rainsford's incredible songwriting and vocal ability. The lyricism on this song is nothing short of incredible, I am constantly in awe of the complete raw honestly that Luke channels so well in everything he does and it is so poignant on this track. Pure cries of frustration are turned into compelling and passionate melodies in such a special way and the ending cry of "There's not a god, there can't be" is an unforgettable insight into grief, and how hard it can be.

"Sweet Briar" was the debut single from the EP, and is a perfectly catchy and upbeat impression of places, people and the deeper meanings they can have. Luke speaks about how he's "Always got very attached to the idea that a place can hold so many new meanings based on things that happen" - an idea that has been deeply rooted in his music ever since as far back as his debut album. This song is a very charming one, appealing and lively and acts as a break from the so far darker tones (Although it does feature a more pessimistic ending because; would it really be a Luke Rainsford song if it had a happy ending?)

Penultimate song "What I Can't Believe" throws us straight back into the gloom that we have come to know from Luke and it is possibly one of the darkest songs on the EP. A picture of hopelessness, feeling like "a stranger in your own skin". It's upsetting and it's emotional and lingering lyrics of grief and mental illness make it almost an uncomfortable listen, but it works in the best way.

"What I Hide Beneath" is an easy song to be fooled by - opening with positive lyrics and imagery paint this as a better period in the life of this songwriter, a time of feeling better - but it becomes painfully clear that this positivity is forced when the song breaks down into a much darker feel.
Luke states that "This song is about times where I lie to myself that I'm fine - rather than actually trying to help myself", Something that many people who struggle with mental health can be found guilty of at times, which is what makes it such a significant track and, coupled with a beautiful outro riff, a perfect close.

The sheer emotion and impact of "I Just Don't Deserve To Be Loved" makes it some of my favourite music ever written, and its ability to leave such a long-lasting and significant effect is something Luke Rainsford is so brilliantly good at. This EP is so incredibly important and I urge everyone to give it their time, as I am sure that you will also be blown away by Luke's ability to not only play guitar strings but heartstrings also.