By Michael Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/21/25 – In the ever-evolving landscape of modern pop and folk fusion, few bands embody both musical sophistication and down-to-earth charm like Raynes. On short notice but with plenty of enthusiasm, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mat Charley, Mark Race, and Joe Berger to talk about their journey—from a serendipitous social media discovery to the upcoming release of a new EP and a major performance at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025.
The story of Raynes begins like a 21st-century musical fairy tale. “Joe and I met in college about ten years ago,” says Mat. “We were writing songs, skipping class, and just having fun. We knew we had something—but we were missing a lead voice.”
The search for that missing piece led them through Craigslist, Facebook, and finally Instagram, where Mat stumbled across a video of Mark Race. “His voice was beautiful,” Mat recalls. “Ten days later, he was on a flight to Los Angeles.”
Mark, now the band’s lead vocalist, joined Mat and Joe to complete the group, forming what would become Raynes: a transatlantic trio blending American folk sensibility with British vocal precision.
Raynes doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre, and they prefer it that way. “We default to calling it folk pop,” says Joe, “but that doesn’t quite capture it.”
Their influences are a diverse collage—John Mayer, Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Irish folk, and the Beach Boys. Each member brings a distinct background, which they fuse into richly layered songs featuring lush harmonies, orchestral instrumentation, and pop accessibility.
“We aim for catchy, listenable songs that still surprise you musically,” explains Mark. “It’s pop music with harmonic color—music nerds can dig into it, but anyone can enjoy it.”
The Road to BottleRock
The band has been steadily growing their fan base, recently headlining a sold-out show at Salt Lake City’s Kilby Court. Now, they’re gearing up for one of their biggest shows yet: a slot at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025.
Raynes Salt Lake City Kilby Court May 22, 2025
“People can expect a high-energy set,” says Joe. “Mat’s juggling two keyboards and four other instruments, our drummer Dino is on fire, and I’m just this wild horse on stage.”
Their BottleRock performance will also be the perfect lead-in to their newest EP, slated for release on June 20.
The new EP marks a thematic shift from their previous release, 49, which centered on the harsh beauty of the Gold Rush era—full of dust, decay, and mortality.
“This spring EP is the opposite,” says Mat. “It leans into rebirth and growth—think arts-and-crafts movement, William Morris, floral imagery. It’s organic chamber-pop with strings, hope, and renewal.”
While the EP is the immediate focus, Raynes has much more in store. “We’re working on a full-length album,” Mark teases. “And we’re definitely planning more tour dates after BottleRock—possibly another headline run before the end of the year.”
For those eager to keep up, the band is easily found across platforms at @raynesmusic and on their official website www.raynesmusic.com.
After years of what they describe as “speed bumps,” Raynes is embracing the moment with gratitude. “We’re just thrilled to be playing, writing, and connecting,” says Joe. “You’ll feel that when you see us live.”
From an Instagram scroll to festival stages, Raynes proves that great music—and great chemistry—can come from the most unexpected places. Keep an eye (and ear) out. This is just the beginning.
Click below for our exclusive interview:
