Music
Press
"I randomly saw Rainmaker in Santa Rosa, and they are one of the tightest bands I've seen in quite some time. They are incredibly adept at mixing sophisticated jamming with tight arrangements and crowd-pleasing pop sensibilities. Rainmaker is a band worth paying attention to." - Jim Greer, Producer for Galactic, Founder of Fortune Records - Fortune Records
Rainmaker's expert musicianship and fluid vocals take you on a trip you won't readily forget. They ebb and flow, tying slipknots and painting audio panoramas for their listeners, adding new twists that keep their music compelling and fresh. Rainmaker is band that actually has something new to
say in a genre that often just mimics the past.
Andre de Channes
95.9 KRSH, Santa Rosa - Andre de Channes
"A tightly wound coil, polished and elastic." - Hittin' the Note Magazine
"To stand out amongst the legendary and (thank god) burgeoning San Francisco jam scene is no easy feat, but Rainmaker is a band that deserves to be heard. Running the gamut from the soaring jams of “Higher,” to the funk-tinged “Spare Change” with it’s gorgeous B3 twirls, to the awesome psychedelic pop of the epic and hazy “Song for Tomorrow” and the country-folk of the melancholy “So Long California” that could sit squarely in the middle of a classic Eagles album, Rainmaker has proven they belong in the hierarchy of the San Fran scene and beyond."
- Dave Terpeny, kyndmusic.com - kyndmusic.com
"There is already anticipation for their next foray because of the promise they display." - Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange
"Having worked at (California's legendary) Sweetwater for many years in the 80's and 90's and to this day, I've seen a lot of young jam bands come through and go on to great success...Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident and Vinyl, to name a few. When I first saw Rainmaker I was immediately impressed with their combination of great originals, tasteful covers and strong playing. The band has a laid back and friendly stage presence, but a high energy sound and feel. I've been telling anyone who will listen to keep their eyes on this band!! These guys are on the rise; check out Rainmaker when you get the chance, you'll be glad you did!" Kevin Moloney, KevMo Productions - KevMo Productions
"Rainmaker coalesces to conjure musical magic and uplifting songs." - Honest Tune Magazine - Honest Tune
"Having worked at (California's legendary) Sweetwater for many years in the 80's and 90's and to this day, I've seen a lot of young jam bands come through and go on to great success...Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident and Vinyl, to name a few. When I first saw Rainmaker I was immediately impressed with their combination of great originals, tasteful covers and strong playing. The band has a laid back and friendly stage presence, but a high energy sound and feel. I've been telling anyone who will listen to keep their eyes on this band!! These guys are on the rise; check out Rainmaker when you get the chance, you'll be glad you did!" Kevin Moloney, KevMo Productions - KevMo Productions
Discography
Rainmaker - Long Slow Fade (2008)
Our second album is receiving airplay around the country and on San Francisco's KFOG. Long Slow Fade includes guest spots from the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, and Garaj Mahal's Eric Levy. Our track "Sweetwater has Run Dry" will be featured on the June CD in Relix Magazine.
Rainmaker - Self-titled (2006)
Our debut album is receiving airplay on independent radio stations throughout the country, and includes guest appearances from:
** The Rondo Brothers (Galactic)
** Members of Garaj Mahal
Photos
Bio
"One of the tightest bands I've heard in quite some time." -Jim Greer, Producer for Galactic
Please visit us at rainmakertheband.com and myspace.com/rainmakerjam.
Rainmaker is a 4-piece band from the San Francisco Bay Area. They blend vintage and modern sounds and draw upon Roots Music, Indie Rock, Funk, and Soul. Since forming in 2005, Rainmaker has logged hundreds of shows together, spreading their infectious grooves, strong songwriting, and family style vocal harmonies throughout California and beyond. Their most recent effort, Long Slow Fade is a compelling combination of classic American Music with a distinctly modern lyrical perspective. Set against a backdrop of soulful, rootsy rock, much of Long Slow Fade laments the slow death of the analog era and explores the issues that characterize the digital age.
Rainmaker began when John-Paul McLean (bass/vocals) and Jonathan Chi (guitar/vocals) met on their first day at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. They immediately began writing and gigging together wherever they could – from local bars to the nearest T stop in Boston’s subway system. After leaving Boston and Berklee, they moved together to Northern California, and began working in recording studios while continuing to write, record, and gig as a duo. They began as interns, and since then have played just about every conceivable studio role, from assisting, to engineering, producing, playing as session musicians, and eventually recording and producing their own records. Over the past few years, they’ve had the opportunity to work with artists including: Jolie Holland, Galactic, Mickey Hart, Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter, Zakir Hussein, Bernie Worrell of P-Funk, New Monsoon, Vinyl, and many, many others. As a result, the duo’s evolution as writers is coupled with an ever-evolving approach in the studio as producer/engineers.
After playing with dozens of musicians in hopes of forming a 4-piece band, Jon and JP were lucky enough to connect with drummer Inkx Herman. Inkx was the house drummer at the legendary Shifty Records in Johannesburg, South Africa during the anti-Apartheid uprising. After leaving South Africa, he has worked with artists such as Paul Simon, Sting, Hugh Masekela, and Vusi Mahlasela. Inkx’s funky grooves, and song-oriented approach to drumming instantly clicked with JP and Jon.
Shortly after, Rainmaker began playing with keyboardist Jordan Feinstein. Jordan’s vintage keyboard stylings and gritty harmony vocals rounded out Rainmaker perfectly. Jordan has played with artists including: G Love, Brett Dennen, George Porter of the Meters, Tea Leaf Green, ALO, and many more.
Through countless hours on the stage and in the studio together, Rainmaker has developed an undeniable chemistry. They have appeared at festivals, theaters, and clubs in California, Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado. In 2007, they were named runnerup in Relix Magazine’s Jamoff!, a national competition for unsigned bands. After catching a live Rainmaker show, Jim Greer, producer for Galactic observed, “They are one of the tightest bands I’ve seen in quite some time. Rainmaker is a band worth paying attention to.”
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