LyricVids is thrilled to announce its latest collaboration with indie folk sensation Raynes on their brand-new single, “Tie Me To The Tracks“. Formed in 2017, Raynes is a British-American trio consisting of North Dakota natives Mat and Joe and UK native Mark. Their formation story is as unique as their sound; after discovering a video of Mark online, Mat and Joe invited him to Los Angeles to start a band. Their chemistry was immediate, and soon after, they signed with Sony Music Publishing. Since then, Raynes has released six singles and two EPs, earning features in prominent publications like Billboard, Earmilk, Spindle, and Atwood Magazine, while headlining sold-out shows from London to Los Angeles.
Raynes’ music, a distinctive blend of pop, folk, and world music, has found its way into television shows, commercials, and influential playlists in both the UK and the US. Their upcoming five-song EP, titled ’49, is set to release in the fall of 2024, and the anticipation is palpable. The first single from this EP, “Tie Me To The Tracks”, is already making waves with its driving, upbeat nature. Despite its energetic melody, the song is a poignant reflection on a toxic relationship. As lead singer Mark Race explains, the song is a cathartic release from a relationship that, in hindsight, was unhealthy and perhaps abusive. “‘Tie Me to the Tracks’ is easily a new favorite of ours to play live,” Mark shares. “We frequently open our sets with this four-on-the-floor barn stomper, and it never fails to deliver. Trying a song no one has heard live yet is always a risk, but with the reaction the song has already received, we cannot wait for the rest of the world to hear it!“
“Tie Me To The Tracks” is a song that showcases Raynes’ musical growth and their ability to transform personal experiences into compelling music. Mat recalls the song’s inception: “I remember Mark playing the opening riff on the mandolin and immediately hearing the whole verse in my head. Sometimes melodies just fall out of the sky and that was definitely the case with this one. I laid down a skeleton track at 155 BPM, which is just on the edge of being too fast to actually play, and Joe wanted to knock it down to 145. So we compromised and I set it at 150. But I changed it back to 155 before we recorded anything.“
Joe adds, “Recording the acoustic guitar proved to be very difficult. I had to dig deep and tap into the depths of my musical soul to get a decent take. Mat told me he slowed down the BPM by 5. That gave me the confidence and after that, I got the take. Ultimately, he never slowed it down. He was just being a good producer.“
Mark humorously sums it up: “This one is really fast.“
When it came to the visual representation of “Tie Me To The Tracks,” Raynes knew that a lyric video was the perfect fit. Having previously worked with LyricVids on their song “Cast the Bronze“, they were confident in the company’s ability to bring their vision to life. The band explains, “We absolutely loved their work. When we decided to release ‘Tie Me to the Tracks’ as a single, we all agreed this was the most fitting song from the EP for a lyric video! We are so glad we followed through with that gut instinct because LyricVids smashed it out of the park.“
The thematic concept of their upcoming EP, ’49, draws inspiration from the American gold rush of 1849, a period marked by intense risk-taking and the pursuit of fortune. This historical backdrop serves as a metaphor for Raynes’ own journey, as they left their hometowns and loved ones, moved to California, and navigated the uncertainties of the music industry in their quest to “strike gold.” The lyric video for “Tie Me To The Tracks” beautifully encapsulates this theme with textured and rugged paper backgrounds, daguerreotype-styled photos, and various line illustrations that evoke the era. Elements such as American mountains, train tracks, snakes, wolves, galloping horses, skulls, and scenes of the gold rush era allude to the historical context, while subtle ink drops appearing in the background further age the visuals and synchronize with the music.
Fast pans and zooms through these scenes match the song’s high-energy pace, creating an immersive visual experience. The use of two different fonts—an old-style typeface and a handwritten script—adds to the video’s historical authenticity and artistic flair. Standout moments for the band, as they say, “hard to pick a favorite, but 0:19-0:25 the mirrored snakes are so intriguing.“
For an up-and-coming folk band like Raynes, lyric videos are an excellent medium to share new releases with their fans. They provide a platform to feed existing fans with more engaging content while attracting new listeners through visually appealing formats. Lyric videos are also highly effective promotional tools for new drops and EPs across social media, helping to increase views and listeners. Creating a full music video that accurately recreates a specific historical period, such as the 1800s gold rush, can be incredibly challenging and resource-intensive. However, a lyric video can achieve this thematic depth in a more feasible, affordable and visually striking manner.
As Raynes prepares for the release of their EP ’49 in November, fans can expect more captivating visuals and evocative storytelling from this dynamic trio. Follow Raynes across all social media platforms and stream their music everywhere to stay updated on their latest projects and musical journey.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raynesmusic
FB: https://www.facebook.com/raynesmusic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raynesmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Raynesmusic/
Website: https://www.raynesmusic.com/
Check out the lyric video for “Tie Me To The Tracks” on Raynes’ official YouTube channel here: