At the age of eight years old, the blues called Diana Rein up on stage and she hasn’t left yet.
At the age of eight years old, the blues called Diana Rein up on stage and she hasn’t left yet. Now, with her 3rd album “QUEEN OF MY CASTLE”, she is showing no signs of leaving anytime soon.
Vizions of Rock: What are the names of all the players and what instruments do they play in your band?
DIANA REIN: My touring band is me, Diana Rein, on Vocals and Guitar, Ralph Forrest on Drums and Mike Emory on Bass. When I have shows in my hometown, I also have Roy Hernandez on Drums.
Vizions of Rock: How did the band come together and how long have you been together?
DIANA REIN: The first show of my tour this Spring will be the first time that Ralph, Mike and I will be playing together. We will be in Houston at Dan Electro’s and I can’t wait. We might get one rehearsal before that show but if not, we are just going to jam and have a blast and get some music fireworks going! I met Mike Emory through friends and seeing him play around town. And the first time that I met Ralph and saw him play drums was when he came through my town with Zac Harmon. I am very happy to have both Mike and Ralph out on the road with me now.
Vizions of Rock: You were born in Romania and have played all over the world. How do you think “The Blues” is perceived overseas oppose to here in the USA?
DIANA REIN: From what I witnessed at the Open Air Blues Festival in Brezoi, wow, people LOVE the Blues and hold it in high regard. There were 8,000 plus people at the Festival in this small town in Romania. It was so great to see how much love there was for the Blues there and how much people loved seeing musicians at play even when they didn’t know who they were. I still have a lot of the World’s roads to cover so maybe I can give you a better update on that when I get there.
Vizions of Rock: You first heard “The Blues” at the age of 8 when you were brought on stage at the Back Room in Chicago to sing. What was it that spoke to you about “The Blues” at such a young age? AND - Do you remember what song you sang?
DIANA REIN: Heck yes, I had a ball on that stage! I felt like it was so powerful because the lead singer Cheryl told me to stay up on stage with her and an older man named Oliver. She told me that I should just follow her lead and make up words that I am feeling in the moment. She let me dance and groove all around the stage and she treated me like an equal, not like a little child. She gave me a platform to express myself and be seen and I felt so free. Then to have a live band there and feel the pulse, it will be forever etched into my heart and soul. And luckily my folks had their video recorder with us, and I have one of my favorite moments of my life on video. I posted it up on youtube so that everyone else can see it too! If you search for Diana Rein The Backroom Blues Chicago you will see it. And here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBhgDZ3hFOM
Vizions of Rock: How do you think blues, (not the industry) but Blues as a musical art form has changed since the days of say Robert Johnson?
DIANA REIN: Well, one thing I know for sure is that it became more Electric, as in utilizing electric guitars more and really highlighting lead guitar. But otherwise, the Blues form has remained, and it still lends itself to artists being able to sing about their challenges. But I do love how Buddy Guy also makes it entertaining and joyful. The Blues has broadened its spectrum through time with subject matter and with its reach. There was a lot of pain and suffering that happened which brought the Blues into this World and I am so grateful that it has remained with us and makes us feel so much emotion. We need that outlet when things get tough.
Vizions of Rock: How has the music industry changed over the last 20 years?
DIANA REIN: I haven’t been involved in it that long to know the difference from an artist’s standpoint, but from a music lover’s standpoint, I would say that music streaming became hugely popular and in turn it shifted the whole industry on its end. CD’s were so great for artists to sell and have something to sign to give their fans. It’s not quite the same to sell a mini hard drive and sign that… or a download card. That’s pretty lame. A CD is such a tangible and meaningful symbol of an artist’s hard work and creative life. And luckily, in the Blues world, people still buy CD’s. Also, on the flip side, I couldn’t have Produced my own album in my home 20 years ago. To be able to do that with some software, a computer and an audio interface is like candy land for a musician.
Vizions of Rock: As a filmmaker myself; I have always wondered this. Is composing and performing a song, like writing and performing a scene in a movie or play; where you have a beginning, middle and end, and a specific story that you want to tell the audience?
DIANA REIN: I definitely think that’s the case. In filming every scene has to have a purpose to move it along and, in every song, has to have a mood, feeling and lyric that makes sense for the whole. Both movies and songs are expressions of the human condition, our existence, challenges, things to overcome and experiences we want to share. Art is life no matter what type it is and life would suck without it.
Vizions of Rock: As a follow-up to the previous question: Do you approach each song like you would approach a scene in a movie; where the emotion is specific to that individual song, to help you connect with the audience; or are you simply just out there rockin’ each song in your set with the same level of energy and emotion?
DIANA REIN: Every song definitely has its own mood and vibe. It just so happens that I set out to write more upbeat tunes for my latest album Queen of My Castle because I wanted fun tunes that people could tap their toes to. But lately when I don’t put those parameters on my writing, I am coming out with slower, emotional grooves. Every song is different though and emits a different energy so I think it’s best to connect with each one and give it its space and time.
Vizions of Rock: Who are your influences?
DIANA REIN: David Gilmour, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Richie Kotzen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Tom Keifer, BB King, Eric Gales, Albert King, wow…..I have more than a few! And the list goes on…. I am a guitar enthusiast and I love hearing the music and melody in other guitar players.
Vizions of Rock: How does your song come together, where do you get your inspiration?
DIANA REIN: I usually just sit and play guitar and sometimes a riff or idea will come forward and I quickly record it with my phone. That way I won’t forget it and then when I designate my songwriting period of the year, I go through all of my ideas and start building them out into full songs. For me and my life, I can get distracted by being a Mom, a wife, taking care of our pets, homeschooling my son and taking care of other responsibilities that it’s hard to get in a flow many days. So usually when things slow down a bit at the end of the year, I get into writing mode and write with more perspective after a year passed. But this year, after my first tour, I will have some time at home and I really want to focus on some new music and a certain vibe that I want to go for.
Vizions of Rock: What is the creative process like when writing your songs?
DIANA REIN: I sing along to whatever I came up with on guitar and sing anything that comes to mind as I am feeling the emotion of the song. I pay attention to the words that come through me and make note of them. They are part of my subconscious, so I honor that. Sometimes I also see visuals… like a movie scene in my mind that creates a basis for the story that I begin to tell. I really love that because I don’t ever forget that initial visual and it takes me back so quickly to my initial inspiration for a song.
Vizions of Rock: What was the experience like in 2019 to go back and play the Open Air Blues Festival in Romania in front of 8,000 people?
DIANA REIN: It was so wonderful to see Romania as an adult and to visit the house that I lived in until I was 3. It was so powerful and emotional to be on the land where my whole family is from. It made me miss everyone that I have lost, it made me sad about all of the hardships that Romanians have been through, it made me marvel at the beauty of that Country. It felt great that I knew the language and could understand and talk to everyone that we met. And then to be onstage where everyone was cheering me on and was so proud that I came back home to play for them, it was another unforgettable moment in my life.
Vizions of Rock: Do have any advice for up and coming musicians who want to follow in your footstep, aside from “Stay in school” and “Don’t quit your day job”?
DIANA REIN: It takes time, patience and dedication. So, don’t get discouraged. Pick up your guitar or instrument every day and have fun creating so that you stay inspired. Always look into the music of those that came before you and learn it. Learn the language if you want to speak it. It takes time to learn how to walk, talk, etc. Playing the guitar and playing music is no different. Just make sure that it’s always fun for you even when it might seem challenging… because it will always be an ebb and flow of breakthroughs and challenges. That will never end.
Vizions of Rock: Is there a message that you’re trying to communicate with this new album “QUEEN OF MY CASTLE”?
DIANA REIN: Each song has a different message. But overall, I wanted it to be my version of the Blues. My take on it right now in my life. Talk to me in a few years and it will probably be different. It was my lucky number 3 album, so I just really wanted it to be an important CD.
Vizions of Rock: What do you like best about being a musician and what is the worst part about being a musician?
DIANA REIN: I love creating, practicing, playing live, collaborating with other musicians, sharing my music. The worst part would have to be praying that you don’t lose money on a tour, the pressure to get people out live to your show and all of the marketing and admin work that you have to do. It can seem defeating sometimes to keep all of the wheels spinning.
Vizions of Rock: What is on the horizon for the future?
DIANA REIN: Well, I am excited to have signed to Gulf Coast Records with Mike Zito and Guy Hale at the helm. I am leaving for a 5-week tour at the end of February which is very exciting, and the rest of 2020 will most likely have me going on a few more tours. I’ll be writing more new music and trying to get the word out as best as I can.
Vizions of Rock: Is there anything that I did not ask you about, that you would want the world to know?
DIANA REIN: I am crazy obsessed with keeping my voice healthy, so if I just smile and wave or talk softly after a show, now you will know why. (laughs)
Vizions of Rock: Is there a tag line that describes DIANA REIN:
DIANA REIN: Fans have coined me the Six String Siren which I think is cool. My biggest obsession in this life has been the guitar and I suspect that won’t change any time soon. It has become a huge part of my identity.
Vizions of Rock: How can we find you music?
DIANA REIN: You should be able to find my music on all streaming sites and www.gulfcoastrecords.net and you can also find autographed cd’s on my website www.dianarein.com
