Meet Serena Rae | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Serena Rae and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Serena Rae, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I am a big New England Patriots fan. I am from Georgia but I was born into a fanatical Boston sports family. Coach Bill Belichick has a phrase, “Do Your Job.” This mentality is what keeps me focused in my musical career trying to do what I am responsible for and not take on more than that. Working well with others is a big part of the music industry and I love doing that, but when I start comparing myself to others, especially other artists, I know that can be detrimental. This phrase reminds me to stay on track and follow my creative path.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a no frills singer-songwriter, what you see is what you get. I have many different styles of music that I write so I describe my music as “the alternative to the alternative.” I rarely ever collaborate on my songs and I feel this sets me apart in an era of songs typically written by 5 or more people. I write songs about all kinds of different subjects whether that’s love, life, people, or places, as some of my songs like “Times Two,” “Commuter,” “Girls Around the World,” and “Sausalito” show.

I have been writing songs, performing, and playing guitar and piano since I was a kid. At 15, I took vocal lessons at Jan Smith Studios in Atlanta for a year and began putting out YouTube videos of my original songs and some covers. But at 18, I realized the realities of what a job as a professional artist takes. I started recording music on GarageBand and then eventually Logic with my brother as producer. Since 2018, I have put out multiple EPs, singles, and live off the soundboard recordings. I have been able to create multiple videos and the artwork for my songs which has helped grow my visual artistic abilities. At the same time, I began playing open mic nights and showcases which led to regular gigs at venues around metro Atlanta. After a while I had the privilege of playing two songs at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. This was a defining moment for me because I was performing in the spot where so many people I admire had performed.

It has been a challenge to achieve what I have so far as an independent artist. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. But all that said, it has been worth it and it has encouraged me to keep going. My goal is to be a classic singer-songwriter whose songs outlast me. I am inspired by artists like Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, and The Eagles, who wrote undeniable songs. One of my favorite Eagles’ lines is “You keep on singing for the sake of the song,” this sums up what I do and why I do it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many cool places to show a friend in Atlanta. One of my favorite places to eat is Cafe Intermezzo on Peachtree Street, I love their coffee and all their breakfast foods are amazing! The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is beautiful any time of year. Atlantic Station and Lenox Mall are great places to get in some shopping and hang out. Farm Burger is a must eat, I love their chicken burger and fries. I like sports and concerts so I would have to take them to a show or game at one of the amazing venues in Atlanta. We’d have to get some classic Italian food at Maggiano’s and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. I love driving through the city at night and I would definitely have to do that with them.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have contributed to my musical journey over the years. First and foremost, my parents. They have encouraged me since I was a young songwriter to share my musical gifts and talents. They have brought me to shows and been there through the ups and downs of this career path and I owe a lot of this to them. Second, my brother/producer. Collaborating with him has helped me create a musical world I never thought would be possible. I need to thank all the venue owners for allowing me to play on their stages. I want to say a special thank you to Eddie Owen and his whole crew at The Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth for giving me my first experiences of playing live and always supporting me. Lastly, I’d like to thank all the people throughout the years who have listened to my music, shared a song, attended a show, or watched one of my videos. I do what I do because I love it, but having people be touched from the words I write is affirmation that I’m doing what I am supposed to..

Website: https://serenaraemusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenaraemusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenaraemusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenaraemusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChNphQYUWA3Qqd-1ZPzhBCA?view_as=subscriber

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4S5i1YFUxdqqDrogeD1aIf?si=rx9_8QzpR-ijNlqWBhs1YA Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/serena-rae/1329032481 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-438337383 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/serena-rae/ARcc3m6Pcht6vfw Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B078M1WWD2/serena-rae?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&returnFromLogin=1&