Today we’d like to introduce you to Rae Okino.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rae. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started with the rubble of my mother on stage singing opera in utero. I guess you could say that influenced me. I felt the power of music and art so young I couldn’t help but be drawn to it for the rest of my life. I sang in choir at school and church, picked up the violin and played for many years. At 13, I found beat making, then at 16, I started to DJ school lunch and run sound in the school theater and for school functions. I started college with the desire to become an environmental lawyer… I found myself only taking music classes and depressed as hell at the state of the world. So, I enrolled in the Art Institute of Seattle, Oh ya… I hail from Grunge City USA. Had a successful career in my early 20’s running Front of House sound for grammy award winners and small acts all over the world. I would work on my laptop on tour busses, planes and trains on my own music… the desire to share what I had to say became so big I would fight through the tears, while bored out of my mind mixing the same show day in and out. I couldn’t take the wear and tear of tour life for someone else’s dream, so I quit the band I was touring with at the time. Since then, my music and art have been the focus. Sharing my music has humbly taken me all over the globe in the electronic music scene. I’m so grateful to now be living in Los Angeles a city full of powerful creatives that challenge me to be a better version of my artistic self all the time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wouldn’t call the journey smooth. Although I’m grateful for all of the obstacles and challenges that have shaped me into the artist I am today. First off being anything but a man in the industry I’m in has posed major challenges. I’ve been sexually harassed, paid less, treated less than and well let your imagination run I probably went through it. I’m feeling very hopeful for any young woman getting into electronic music and production now… the times are changing! My main advice would be to be authentic, everyone is going to have an opinion of what you should sing about, what to wear, how to do your makeup or not. Trust yourself and keep good people around you.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in music and also create visual art. What I’m most proud of is staying authentic to who I am and translating that into my brand. I’m always learning and updating my creative output, currently teaching myself how to make VR masks for use on Instagram. You can try VR masks highlighting my visual art on my IG @raeokino if you want to catch a vibe. I think what sets me apart is, I’m different… totally ok with being the weirdest person in the room.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I had what they call a “hard childhood” and was later diagnosed with PTSD. I think the adversity that I faced in childhood lent me to gravitate towards the arts as a way of making it all make sense. In childhood, the moments where I felt most understood were listening to music and playing the piano. Music heals for real. I want to give the gift of my inner work through music and art to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.raeokino.com
- Email: bookings@raeokino.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raeokino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raeokino/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/raeokino
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0JqeqClHGdXYACy6UxIB64
Image Credit:
main photo- Jessica Ahpine
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