Raining Jane

In an era of over-night sensations that fizzle as quickly as they spark, and a time when music seems often overshadowed by a side show of special effects, daredevil costumes and lip-synching illusionists, it’s a welcome sigh of relief to know that there are still bands out there that are The Real Thing; bands who play their own instruments, write their own songs, and have the musical chemistry that can only come from playing and touring together for over a decade. This is Raining Jane. It wasn’t long after their first show at UCLA in 1999, that the four women of Raining Jane hit the road to make music their full-time gig. With their original blend of indie-rock-folk, they launched into a hefty touring schedule, performing over 120 shows per year (for 6 years straight), all independently booked and managed. From colleges to concert halls, from opening tours for Sara Bareilles to headlining their own shows, Raining Jane became an example of indie success. In 2007 their career took an exciting turn when they began writing with Jason Mraz, a creative collaboration that continues to the present day. One of their co-writes, “A Beautiful Mess,” appeared on Mraz’s platinum album WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS, while another, “Collapsible Plans” was featured in the Cannes-Selection documentary THE BIG FIX, which earned a Hollywood Music and Media Award for Best Song in a Film. In 2012, Mona Tavakoli (cajon/backup vocals) joined Mraz for his U.S. and European tours, and even ventured with him as far as Antarctica and Myanmar. Over the years Raining Jane has released four albums, with THE GOOD MATCH as their latest flame. The album showcases the band’s uplifting and heartfelt songwriting, as well as rich vocal harmonies and diverse instrumentation (guitars, cello, cajon, sitar, bass.) Their music can be heard elsewhere with songs appearing on shows like GREY'S ANATOMY, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE and DANCING WITH THE STARS. They’ve also played on records for other artists such as Willy Porter’s HOW TO ROB A BANK. In addition to their musical work as a band, Raining Jane has always been passionate about community outreach. In 2010 they established ROCK N' ROLL CAMP FOR GIRLS, LOS ANGELES, a non-profit dedicated to empowering girls through music education. Now in its fourth year, the organization has reached over 200 young girls, has inspired the help of hundreds of volunteers, and has provided a vibrant, creative resource for Los Angeles. www.rainingjane.com