Raynor’s Journey to the Spotlight

What started with a guitar during COVID-19 lockdown has turned into a growing music career for UK artist Raynor.

Raynor

During lockdown, Raynor had more time to dedicate himself to guitar after previously taking a few lessons without fully committing. With plenty of time at home, he began teaching himself through YouTube tutorials and R&B songs.

“I had so much free time on my hands, so I really learned how to pick up and start playing,” Raynor said. “And that's when it all started, really.”

Daniel Caesar became one of his early influences as Raynor learned songs and used them to understand different chords. His musical taste eventually expanded toward UK indie music, with artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, The Cortinas and Franz Ferdinand becoming important influences.

Finding His Sound Through Guitar

Raynor's songwriting process remains centered around the guitar. Instead of starting with a complicated production, he typically picks up his guitar and experiments with chord progressions until something feels right. From there, he develops a melody before working on the production.

“I just pick up a guitar normally, that's how I'll start, and then try and work out a few chords which sound cool,” Raynor said.

While guitar-based indie music is an important part of his sound, Raynor does not want to limit himself to one genre.

“I definitely do experiment with all genres,” he said. “I feel like music is so free-flowing, so I could do any genre that I really feel like I'd sound well on.” One genre he would particularly like to explore is blues. With his love of guitar, Raynor believes a blues-inspired track could give him another opportunity to experiment with his sound.

From TikTok Covers to a Growing Fanbase

Social media has played a major role in Raynor's development as an artist. He began posting covers online, eventually using platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to share his music with people who might not otherwise discover it.

“I think social media is integral,” Raynor said. “It's integral to every artist. You need to be on, like, TikTok and Instagram.”

Getting comfortable with posting his music was not always easy. Raynor was still in school when he began putting himself online and worried about how his classmates would react.

“There was definitely a leap that you have to make,” he said. “Once you realize, like, ‘Oh, this is what I really want to do,’ it's just so easy, so free-flowing, just do it.”

One of his biggest early moments on TikTok came through his cover of Oasis' “Champagne Supernova.”

“That’s the cover which really let my TikTok account kind of blow originally,” Raynor said.

Writing “Mirage” in New York

One of Raynor’s biggest recent experiences came when he traveled to New York City for the first time to write his song “Mirage” with songwriter Scott Harris. The experience was a major moment for Raynor, but the songwriting process itself stayed close to the way he normally creates. He picked up a guitar, experimented with different chord progressions and eventually built a story around the song.

“I wrote ‘Mirage’ with Scott Harris in New York City, actually,” Raynor said. “It was my first time in the US.”

Raynor explained that the song was influenced by real-life experiences, but the two worked together to create a story that could carry the track. The session also gave him the opportunity to experience New York while continuing to develop his sound.

Exploring New York for the First Time

Raynor’s first trip to the United States was also a chance to experience a completely different environment. Coming from Peterborough, a relatively small city in the UK, visiting New York City was a major change of pace.

“It’s definitely very different, especially ’cause I come from a relatively small city in the UK, Peterborough, to go to New York City,” he said.

During his trip, Raynor explored Times Square, tried different foods, played basketball and spent time experiencing the city outside of the studio. He also tried a honey bun for the first time, something he joked isn't really common in the UK.

“I ate a lot of pizza that week,” Raynor said. “Tried all the stuff I wanted to try.”

Despite the differences, Raynor said he loved New York and described the city as an “amazing” place.

From the Bedroom to the Stage

Performing live has given Raynor a completely different experience from making music alone. Songs that once started as ideas in his bedroom are now being performed in front of large crowds.

“It’s crazy,” Raynor said. “Some of these songs, ideas, you start in your bedroom and you never think it’s gonna go that far.

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While performing in front of a large crowd can still be nerve-wracking, Raynor said those nerves usually disappear once he steps onstage and hears the music begin.

“It’s definitely nerve-wracking before you step on stage,” he said. “But as soon as you get out there and you can hear the music playing in your ears, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m meant to be.’”

His Favorite Festival and Upcoming Shows

Raynor has already performed at festivals across Europe, with Hurricane Festival in Germany standing out as one of his favorite experiences so far.

“My favorite festival I’ve played at so far is probably going to be Hurricane Festival in Germany,” he said.

At the time of the interview, Raynor was also preparing to perform at Reading and Leeds. He explained that preparing for a show involves getting to the venue, making sure all of his equipment is ready, checking out the space and completing soundcheck. However, he doesn't want his band to become too serious before a performance.

“We won’t ever be too serious before a gig,” Raynor said. “We’ll just be messing around or whatever.”

That relaxed atmosphere continues while traveling. Raynor said he and his bandmates spend their time listening to music, cracking jokes and occasionally playing games.

Performing With His Friends

Raynor's band is made up largely of people from his area who he considers friends. The group originally connected through mutual friends, with Raynor eventually reaching out through Instagram to ask if they wanted to perform with him.

Since then, they have traveled and performed together.

Having his friends beside him has also made performing in front of large crowds easier. Raynor explained that they don't take themselves too seriously and can laugh off mistakes during performances.

“Sometimes I’ll mess up. We’re all human,” he said. “And then if they mess up, I’ll look at them and I’ll laugh.”

For Raynor, that friendship creates an environment where everyone can focus on making the music sound as good as possible while still having fun.

The Rubik’s Cube That Goes Everywhere

Away from music, Raynor has a simple item that he always keeps with him while traveling: a Rubik’s Cube.

“I always bring a Rubik’s Cube. Always,” he said. “There’ll always be one in my bag.”

Raynor owns both a standard Rubik’s Cube and a speed cube, which he uses to pass the time while traveling.

It’s a small detail, but it shows another side of Raynor outside of performing, recording and creating music.

Football and Music

Music isn't Raynor’s only passion. Football is also a major part of his life and has even influenced his songwriting.

Raynor is a Chelsea supporter and named Didier Drogba as his favorite Chelsea player of all time. When asked who he considers the greatest footballer ever, he chose Lionel Messi.

His love for football also finds its way into his music.

“I put football references in my songs as much as I can,” Raynor said. “It’s just a part of life.”

Growing up in the UK, where football culture is deeply connected to everyday life, Raynor said the sport naturally becomes part of the things he writes about.

The Goal: Make a FIFA Soundtrack

For Raynor, getting a song on a FIFA soundtrack is more than simply having his music featured in a video game. “100%, it is a goal,” Raynor said.

He wants his music to create the same lasting memories that previous FIFA soundtracks created for an entire generation. Raynor pointed to songs that fans still associate with specific FIFA games years after their release.

“I think that kind of energy behind a cult classic, or just having a whole group of people resonate with your music and associate it with a specific time period, it's so important to me,” he said.

Meeting His Manager

Raynor's relationship with his manager Zach Kiekhaefer began through Instagram. At the time, Raynor was still in school and preparing for his final exams when Zach reached out about working together.

Raynor initially told Zach that he wanted to finish school first. Once he graduated, however, the two immediately began working together.

“As soon as we finished school, we kind of hit the ground running straight into sessions, making demos, making tracks,” Raynor said.

Their collaboration has continued as Raynor's career has grown, leading to more recording sessions, live performances and opportunities.

Staying Consistent

Raynor's growth didn't happen overnight. While he was still in school, he developed a routine of posting music online every day.

He would come home from school and post a cover before moving on to other responsibilities such as studying and driving lessons. He maintained that routine for months.

“I used to go home every day and post a cover,” Raynor said. “Every single day.”

That consistency eventually helped him build an audience and turn his social media pages into an important part of his career.

For Raynor, the experience is proof that staying consistent can eventually lead to opportunities that might not seem possible when you're just starting out.

What's Next for Raynor?

The next major milestone is already underway: Raynor is working on his first EP.

The project will be his first major body of work and represents another step forward after years of posting covers, writing songs and performing live.

“I'm working on my first EP at the moment, first project, and I can't wait to put that out,” Raynor said.

His goal is to continue releasing music consistently and playing as many shows as possible.

“I pray I'll be in that same situation where I'm able to just consistently put out music,” he said. “Because that's what I love doing, truly.”

For Raynor, the advice he would give his younger self is simple. “Never stop,” he said. “There'll be rough patches and, like, where things feel like everything's going wrong, but yeah, never stop. You'll be all right.”

From relearning guitar during lockdown to performing at major festivals, recording in New York and preparing his first EP, Raynor's journey is only beginning. His next chapter could bring his music to an even bigger audience — and potentially one day, onto the FIFA soundtrack he's dreamed about.