Americana singer-songwriter Will Rainier writes with a stumbling romanticism and a sympathetic gaze about the lovely folks—both real and imagined—we encounter at the local saloon. His songs are orchestral Americana vignettes, exquisitely-textured with pedal steel, synths, acoustic and electric guitar, trumpet, organ, piano, xylophone, percussion, bells, drum machines, drums, and melodica.
Rainier’s cinematic sonic character studies come to life vibrantly on, Smoke ‘em If You Got ‘em, his third solo outing. This is his first solo album tracked in a proper recording studio. It was recorded at Earth to Emma Studios in Olympia with Rainier playing many of the instruments on the album. Rainier co-produced the album alongside longtime collaborator Chad Yenney.
Rainier is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and vet of the Seattle scene having played in punk bands, pop bands, and indie rock bands. His previous endeavors include the lo-fi pop band Stuporhero. That band released nine albums; performed on beloved taste-making radio station KEXP and at hipster record store Easy Street Records; and earned plum NPR coverage. His next act was the Americana/alt-country group Will Rainier & the Pines. Rainier went solo during the pandemic.
Rainier’s songs exude an outlaw country authenticity, though his influences and listening tastes are informed by Robert Pollard, Sharon Van Etten, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Kurt Vile, Wilco, and Courtney Barnett. “I like the sadness in country music—it’s just raw emotional music to me—but I don’t want to recreate anything to the letter,” Rainier says. “I want the music to be my style, and I like unexpected instruments, like the trumpet, and I like blending styles. I don’t think about any of this when I write—I just let the music come out.”
Today, Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of the single “Dance with the Dead” and its accompanying music video. Carrying on the legacy of the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant alt-country and Americana scene, the tune wafts a Sweetheart of The Rodeo-era Byrds-like easy charm. Backed by a twangy soundtrack and warm harmonies courtesy of his wife, Jen Garrett, Rainier sings with an easygoing smoothness that feels simultaneously crisp and wisened. There is an aching beauty to the lyrics that is brought to life by the songs soft, uptempo shuffling sound to make for an impressive work of alt-country goodness.
Will Rainier describes the inspiration behind the tune:
I first wrote a version of this song 8 or 9 years ago. The same lyrics, but another chord structure, melody, arrangement, even a different name. I struggled with it for a while, tried recording it a few times and it just wasn’t turning out how I wanted it to. Songs sometimes have a way of finding their way back like this one did and I ended up with this reimagined version that I’m pretty happy with. Chad Yenney, who co-produced, engineered, and mixed the album, is a long-time friend and collaborator. He has contributed in some way to almost every recording I’ve done since the late ’90’s. After recording my last two solo projects at home, I was really excited to record this album with Chad at his studio in Olympia, Washington. He has a way of keeping things light and fun, but also focused on getting great sounds and doing what’s right for the song. He’s also a talented collage artist and his work appears on the cover of Smoke ‘em if You Got ‘em.
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