The Artist Explains: Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez- '40 Days'
New York Jazz R&B artist Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez has just released her infectious new single ’40 Days’. The track tells a subtly complex story about struggling to let go - over a layer of silky, tender melodies, making it a true soulful gem. She took a moment to talk to us about the track in more depth.
Hey Raina - so your track ’40 Days’ is out now - can you tell us what it is about?
’40 Days’ is about a struggle and a desire to let go. At times, that holding on is depicted as strength, at others, it shows an unhealthy attachment. It’s about boundaries, really.
Where was the track recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process?
The track was recorded at two studios in Brooklyn – Bunker Studio and Warsaw Studio. All the production was done at my brother Jake’s apartment. He is the producer on ’40 Days’ and on the full album. My favorite part of the creation process was that we had to adjust studio plans due to the pandemic and so we had all the singers for the choir send in home-recordings of themselves singing the parts. This was right at the beginning of the pandemic when we all had to get super creative.
Are from a big family of musicians - what are your fondest childhood memories when it comes to music?
We used to sing in the car as a family, playing singing improvisation games. I loved those rides.
This track comes from your upcoming album ‘IF THEY’RE MIND’ - how is that coming along? When can we hear it?
The album is done! Which is very exciting and will be out on May 21st! It’s been a long time coming and I am very excited to share it.
Improvisation is a starting point for you when it comes to writing your songs - can you tell us a bit more about that?
Yeah, so my writing process usually starts at the piano. I improvise and play around until I find some harmony and rhythm that inspire me to sing. From there, I improvise words and melodies together, recording as I go along. I often stumble into a musical phrase and lyric that I like a lot and then keep moving past it. Recording helps me stay open to what comes and then go back and listen to the specific phrasing and words that I loved and that feel central to the song. I don’t enter with any plan of what I will write about. I let the improvisation guide me and once the story is clear, I start to craft. Sometimes I bring melodies that are in my head to the piano, but more often the piano is first. I let the melodies in my head come and go.