1.Growing Up

I grew up in a very musical family. My sisters and I all played piano and a brass instrument. My dad still plays, so of course I was immersed from a young age.

It was clear for me that I’d take it and run, create and perform, so I built the Sunwrae Ensemble after studying music composition at Melbourne Uni and it’s grown from there.

2.Inspirations

I get my inspiration from travelling mostly, stepping outside my comfort zone. I’ve been fortunate to visit many different parts of the world for various music projects or residencies, so immersing myself in other cultures and their music plays a big part. These new places, faces and experiences have always given me the inspiration and energy I need to create music.

3.Your Band

There can be up to 12 in my ensemble, hand-picked for their individual musical expertise, and the lineup changes for each project/tour. This Australian tour is pared back, so most concerts are solo, primarily to showcase the magic of solo piano and launch my records and sheet music publication. I’m based in London now, so being split between countries makes it tricky to tour together all the time.

4.The Music You Make

It’s a contemporary cinematic style, all instrumental, with hypnotic rhythms classically influenced, and a twist of jazz flavours and improvisation. I’ve just released a double-volume solo record called Invisible Wilderness, recorded in Minneapolis, USA. Volume I was recorded on a Steinway concert grand and is accompanied by a sheet music publication. Volume II is more abstract, sidestepping the traditional piano sound, performed on a Fender Rhodes and various upright ramshackle pianos that immerse the listener in different textures, including the hammers, felts and pedalling (featuring the natural reverb of the sostenuto and celeste pedals). Think Nils Frahm meets The Necks, Steve Reich and The Cinematic Orchestra.

5.Music, Right Here,Right Now

The music industry is a strange beast. There is so much going on and of course the internet has made it much easier (and difficult!) to get your music out there. I’m lucky in London to be surrounded by the best touring and local bands and musicians in the world, so being immersed in it daily gives me great pleasure.

[Rae Howell photo by Anne Skilbeck]

Rae Howell performs at Colbourne Avenue onThursday September 24, withMeg Morley.

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