Today we’d like to introduce you to Rara L
Hi RaRa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
With songs drenched in the rich sounds of southern soul, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to one of the classic divas of the 1960s when you first hear RaRa.
As a young girl in Cheltenham, RaRa dipped into her parent’s music collection, finding Aretha, Dusty, Whitney and Mariah, whose voices she aspired to emulate. Indeed, her drive to sing took her across the world! She moved to China, where she joined a band; eventually relocating to Abu Dhabi, and then Dubai, where she formed The Cherry Bomb Gang – Dubais first rockabilly outfit giving current pop songs a vintage twist; but when Covid hit, everything came to a crashing halt! RaRa returned home, and zoned in on her own material, drawing on her love of sixties soul. ‘The female performers of that era had such raw energy and edge: Ronnie Spector, Tina Turner and The Shangri-Las. I was inspired by their style as well as their sound.’ It wasn’t long before she caught the attention of both an investor and a manager, who hooked her up with Nigel Lowis, the producer behind the hits of Dina Carroll and Eternal.
Through those connections, she found herself in Nashville, recording with some legendary singers and musicians; and exploring her creative self, eventually taking her to the deep south of Memphis, the home of Elvis, where she met Grammy award winning Boo Mitchell who prized ‘Uptown Funk – Record of The Year’. RaRa is now cutting tracks and writing new material with Mitchell, working with the Hi Rhythm Section (Al Green) as her recording band at renowned recording studio Royal Studios in southern Memphis. With lyrics that are both dramatic and romantic, RaRa draws on her experience, writing honestly and openly about broken relationships, past family pressures, and the perils of being a young woman, fighting to make it in the music industry.
Back in London, in 2023, she further explored her songwriting talents. Among her co-writing collaborations are John Fortis (producer of Ellie Goulding’s mega hit “How Long Will I Love You”), Paul O’Duffy (co-writer of the incredible song “Wake Up Alone” on Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black album), Ant Whiting (co-writer of John Newman’s #1 hit “Love Me Again”), and James Reynolds, whom has worked with artists such as Dua Lipa and Paloma Faith.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The music industry I would describe as navigating through choppy waters. I have had many sacrifices, relationships, missed events, spent a lot of money, had money, had no money, the Covid pandemic hit the entertainment industry hard, family pressures, imposter syndrome, and I have wanted to give up many times.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Singer Songwriter writing and singing mainly Soul, Pop with a 60s influence. I have travelled most of the world for music and have taken spontaneous risks to make sure I am heard and seen. I am most proud of my tenacity and for trusting my intuition on situations that have led me to the next opportunity. I have always followed my heart and I have always written songs honestly from true experience. My work is never half finished, quality and sound is everything to me and if it is not up to standard it goes no further until it is.
How do you think about happiness?
Dogs. I think they’re are amazing animals. I support a few charities Jai Dog Rescue, K9 Angels and Battersea Dogs Home. I have two toy poodles Eric & Dusty who have brought me much happiness to my life. They are like my children.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raraofficial.com
- Instagram: @soundslikerara
- Facebook: @soundslikerara
- Twitter: @soundslikerara
- Youtube: @soundslikerara
