The four women who make up the band Raining Jane are an eclectic
group, with interests and time commitments ranging from volleyball
to cello performance. But they still have time to promote
humanitarian causes with their music.
Laughing and praising each other’s individual
accomplishments after a late night rehearsal was one way the band
showed the chemistry to which they unanimously credit much of their
success.
Raining Jane performs tonight in a Habitat for Humanity benefit
concert at Westwood Brewing Company in the first
“Construction Concert and Benefit.” The money raised
tonight goes to support the UCLA Chapter of the international
nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity, designed to increase
awareness of and eliminate poverty-housing and homelessness across
the globe. The UCLA Campus Chapter is a student-run branch
dedicated to making the UCLA community aware of housing problems,
raising money, and enabling underprivileged families in the L.A.
area to acquire homes.
Raining Jane’s members enjoy putting their musical talent
to good use by promoting community endeavors like Children’s
Walk for Life and AIDS benefit organizations. Tonight, the band
expects to find an audience who, like it, enjoys coming out to
support both live music and important causes.
“We try to do benefit shows like this, throughout the
year,” vocalist and guitarist Mai Bloomfield said.
“It’s just really nice to be asked to perform at
something that you actually stand behind, a cause that you want to
spend time supporting. We can do that through music.”
The Los Angeles based band includes three UCLA alumni and has
performed on campus on numerous occasions since its formation in
1999. The 2000 Spring Sing winners enjoy playing in front of
a UCLA audience.
“Everyone’s just open and excited,” Tavakoli
said. “And, three of us went there and Mai is from L.A., so
there’s a sense of community. They’re so supportive
there.”
The band is recognized for its two-part harmonies, driving
rhythms and dynamic live performances. Inspired by artists like Ani
DiFranco, Dave Matthews Band and Fleetwood Mac, the group plays a
fusion of rock, folk and pop, with the occasional raps of drummer
Mona Tavakoli adding a touch of a hip-hop.
Raining Jane is working on a second album, which it plans on
releasing by the end of this summer. The band believes that its
music has evolved to a new maturity, capturing more of the energy
for which its live performances are known. Many of the lyrics on
the new album are the product of a collaborative effort, a symbol
of how the band members have grown together since they
self-produced their first album in 2001.
“Our songs are becoming a little more mature,” bass
guitarist Becky Gebhardt said. “The lyrics are developed;
everything is developing, (like) musicianship. We’re trying
different things.”
In addition, the second album will most likely feature a cover
of Aaliyah’s “Are You that Somebody,” a crowd
favorite and tribute to the late singer.
The band has also been busy expanding its fan base with a recent
tour around Northern California. Still, its members haven’t
quit their day jobs, and it is music that brings them together.
“We all have talents in other areas but we all come
together and play music, and it’s what we love,”
Tavakoli said. “We love creating together. We love playing
music and empowering ourselves and others.”
Raining Jane will perform in the first annual
“Construction Concert and Benefit” at Westwood Brewing
Company at 9:30 tonight.