Toledo native Raine Wilder debuts new collection of music
Written by Brent Daggett | | bdaggett@toledofreepress.comA second chance at a dream could lead to a storm of success for a Toledo native musician.
On May 5, Raine Wilder’s debut album, “Heart On Standby,” became available through Island of Def Jam Digital Distribution and can be found on any online digital music store.
“Music is the sound feelings make,” Wilder said. “I don’t worry about what others think. I set no boundaries or rules. With this album, I wanted to symbolize waiting through anything.”
The 12-track album transcends the boundaries of traditional Hip-Hop by incorporating various musical styles such as techno, alternative, pop, hard rock and metal.
“Raine is very versatile and it’s difficult to place him in any style,” said Wilder’s guitarist, Neal Schaefer. “He is covering a lot of genres as it is and I don’t know if he will choose a specific one to focus on, but whatever he decides, he will be able to create a large fan base.”
Raine Wilder
While versatility is the foundation of Wilder’s music, his writing process also showcases inventiveness.
“When writing the lyrics for my songs, the process can happen in a number of different ways. One way is I hear the music then write the lyrics and the rhymes at the same time. I also tweak some of the words if they need tweaking, then record the vocals,” Wilder said. “Another way is I piece them together as I go. I’ll write one part and leave it alone for a while, then write another part and leave it. After that, I piece them together in what order they make sense, like a puzzle. Sometimes, I won’t even have the music first. I’ll have lyrics written that I hold on to until I hear the right track for them, then I’ll make a rhyme for the lyrics so they fit into the beat better.”
Wilder added, “I love all kinds of music so I don’t stay away from any style. If I like it and it works with what I’m trying to do, I use it.”
However, there was a time where Wilder thought he would give up on his vision to become a musician.
When a relationship ended out of the blue, Wilder went into a bleak state, which is described in detail on the track “My Apology.”
“I lost it,” Wilder said, “It was so shocking how it ended that I started mixing cranberry juice with vodka and anxiety pills and wanted to give up on music since those were the darkest days of my life.”
Wilder continued, “This was a blessing in disguise and I realized what I’m now capable of since I used music as therapy to have a second shot at my dream.”
Through all the trials and tribulations Wilder has experienced in his 28 years, a sense of nostalgia helped shape his inspiration for his album.
“I’ve grown a lot and admitted my faults and wouldn’t change what I’ve done because it wouldn’t of brought me to where I am,” Wilder said. “I’ve realized all the shit I’ve done and what has haunted me; everything was my decision. I’ve found my lane and I’m going through it.”
Tags: Def Jam, Hip-Hop, Raine Wilder
