A midsummer nights dream? Not for the Raven Cain Band. The dream is a reality. Getting signed with a major recording label has meant the work was just getting started. Summer in 2015 has proven to be hot, quick, and furious for Raven Cain. The debut album, “Outlaw Way,” is nearly finished.
“We should be releasing the first single by Sept. 5 and the album shortly thereafter,” said Cain as they enter the process of mastering the album.
Raven has been determined to work with local music talent as much as he can. The label has supported him in his decision.
“We support Raven and his desire to work with the local musicians,” stated Will Swan of 405 Hollywood. “We fell in love with Raven’s music and want to keep the roots of his music alive.”
According to Raven, Swan has gone out of his way to make the Raven Cain Band the number one priority for the label.
“He has gone to bat for me with the big wigs so many times. He has our back in this project 100 percent,” stated Cain.
John Houston recruited to record
Raven has been recording at John Houston‘s Studio. Houston’s magic is well-known locally and beyond, as he’s worked with numerous musicians on multiple projects throughout the years.
“John Houston provides the golden vibe that seals all the outlaw chaos together into a tight unit,” proclaims Cain. “John is brilliant, and his contributions to RCB is what has made the sound and the songs complete.”
“Raven Cain is a brilliant performer, a thoughtful songwriter, and has a great vocal range,” Houston says. “In addition, he is a joy to work with! He is one of the most appreciative musicians I’ve worked with, and I look forward to each recording session.”
The gathering of premier talent and type of members Raven is putting together to complete the Raven Cain Band is certain to amaze. All are major players in the local music scene and are some of the most genuinely good guys you could ever hope to meet. While listening to them at practice, only three weeks after they came together, it was hard to believe they have not been playing together for years. They are solid, have a chemistry that cannot be manufactured, and are having a blast. Seasoned musicians excited to share their talent through music makes for an energetic sound that will be well-received.
The band’s namesake and lead singer, Raven Cain, has been involved with music nearly his entire life. Although relatively new to southern Utah, he has quickly become well known in the local music scene. His solo performances first got him noticed. He won the local 2014 Country Showdown. His range of talent was showcased more prominently when he fronted Mister Hyde, one of the regions premier rock n’ roll groups. His solo release of “You Are My Sunshine” gained him national notoriety and caught the attention of the record label, ultimately resulting in a signed deal.
Cain’s crew
Jake Ryan Shepard, lead guitarist for the Raven Cain Band, was born in Florida and grew up in New Hampshire before moving to St. George four years ago. Although he plays nearly every instrument, the one fans cannot get enough of is his the guitar.
“I myself am really into funk, blues, country, soul, and rock,” shared Shepard. “I play a Fender Telecaster that I have modded. I do most the maintenance myself and any extreme mods are exclusively done by Gary Huff.”
Shepard toured previously with Duane Mark, an outlaw country artist from Southern California.
“That’s where I really cut my teeth on chicken-pickin’ stylings of the electric guitar. It has also been a large inspiration for writing,” said Shepard. “Dan [Worthington], of Dan’s Guitar, told me Raven needed a band, and I had Skatt up my sleeve! Raven and I met when we first jammed. He had seen me before at the Firehouse, but we had never met. We just have a feel that rocks outlaw country. I’m looking forward to a career as part of this band!”
“Jake is to me what Keith Richards is to the Rolling Stones or what Slash was to Guns N’ Roses,” said Cain. “His sound is unique and really gives life to the sound I hear in my head.”
On bass for the Raven Cain Band is Ryan “Skatt” Sargent. Sargent moved around to a few places as a child before settling in and growing up in San Diego. Moving to St. George nearly nine years ago, he did brief on-and-off stints in Cedar City.
“I was going to SUU as well as playing music with one of my bands, Inland,” Sargent said. “I’m personally a fan of jazz and progressive music in general, whether it be math rock or progressive metal. I mainly play bass, but I goof around with guitar and can write for most any instrument. I’ve been actively working on being a musician since 2009. My aspiration is to tour with my own band for as long as I can, eventually become a session player, and/or work as an audio engineer. My goals come down to the simple fact that I love music. The creativity and innovative processes behind creating music is unparalleled. I met Raven through Jake Shepard. Jake set us up to get together and audition with Raven a couple of months ago. It turned out that we had the sound and personalities that Raven was looking for, so we decided to stick together.”
“Skatt is not only the blood that runs through the veins of RCB; his is also the analytical genius behind the technicality of the band,” said, Cain.
A little help from his friends
Talent only goes so far. It takes a great deal of effort to get a signed contract. Lots of people have talent, but being devoted beyond signatures to work on a project every single day takes concentrated desire to live the dream. Raven has been focused and working diligently on assembling his team. In addition to the label, the band, and the recording studio, other key players in making it happen have been Blackhawk Walters and Chris Richardson.
“Blackhawk is not only the producer of the album but also the artistic co-creator of some of the visions of the songs on the album,” said Cain. “Chris is the mixing master on the album and is one of my closest friends. His dedication to making the perfect record is unsurpassed by anyone in the industry, period.”
“We have a lot going on and getting ready to fully launch as a band,” said Cain. “All the hard work and fun we are having is about to be shared with the world. We have our album release coming up and have been practicing together to really share it all. We are playing as a group at Peach Days on Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m. I think people are going to really like what they see and hear. I am anxious and excited to share our music with the world.”
Excerpt from “I’ll Be Back”
Excerpt from “Plane to Utah”
Excerpt from “House of Amazing Grace”
Excerpt from “Son of the South”
Excerpt from “Raven Cain’s Outlaw Way”
Excerpt from “Cause I Lived It”
