Q&A: Rainsford reflects on latest single, “Butterfly,” awaiting the release of debut album “Before Blue”
PHOTOS BY TONY WILSON
Rainsford, the artist alias of Rainey Qualley, wears many hats. She’s an actress, model, musician and, most recently, a mother. She left her musician’s cap on its hook for quite some time to savor the first few months of her baby Bluebell’s life.
Spreading her wings again, Rainsford’s latest release, “Butterfly,” is a radiant return to the pop music scene. “Butterfly” succeeds the single “Horse,” which was put out this past May. Both songs plant the anticipation for Rainsford’s first full-length album, Before Blue, expected later this year.
The floating soundscape of “Butterfly” was inspired by Cocteau Twins. It’s a dreamy reflection of a former version of Rainsford that feels far removed from her present self. She notes, “I don’t want to dismiss that time, but everything that felt so important to me then doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
What matters to her now is nurturing a new era. In the midst of moving back to North Carolina to be closer to family, Rainsford is deftly peeling back the cocoon of Before Blue. “Butterfly” puts her one step closer to closing the past chapter, making room for the fulfilled spirit and overwhelming gratitude she’s raring to write about.
PLEASER: Immerse us in the world of “Butterfly,” in your own words. Let’s start with the production. How did this track come to fruition?
RAINSFORD: “Butterfly” was actually the first song that I wrote with Michael Kamerman, who is an incredible writer, producer and artist. He’s a member of the band Smallpools. We were introduced to potentially start working on some songs. You never really know when it’s the first writing session if you’re going to vibe, have similar tastes. So much of it is the sounds that you’re drawn to. You have to sort of innately understand each other. With Michael, it was awesome. I ended up writing the lyrics and melody in like 10 minutes or something. I left the studio so excited and ready for another session. That was almost 3 years ago now.
What story do the lyrics tell?
R: “Butterfly” is about being with someone you can’t pull away from. The relationship is so painful, but in that moment, you’re feeling like that’s the only person that’s going to make you happy. It’s really making you insane. The metaphor I followed was of bugs being drawn to a light or fire, and then they kill themselves upon impact. They die from what they’re so desperately seeking. It’s funny because I’m in such a different place in my life now than these lyrics. I’m in a happy relationship and I have a 7-month-old baby.
But at the time, this must have been really cathartic to put on a track.
R: Totally. It’s my way of dealing with my feelings. I can remember so viscerally times in my life based off of the songs I made then. Even if I can’t relate to whatever memory or feeling is the topic of my songs from a certain time period, I can still connect with, say, 25-year-old Rainey who was getting her heart broken.
Do you have plans for a music video to accompany “Butterfly”?
R: Yeah, we do! My fiancee [Anthony “Tony” Wilson] is an amazing photographer and videographer. He shot all the photos for the album and the video for my single “Horse.” We’re just starting shooting for “Butterfly.” It’s fun working with Tony because I’ll come up with these silly, off-the-wall ideas, and somehow he’ll turn it into something beautiful.
What are some things that are important to you when creating music videos or visuals?
R: I think it’s a chance to put personality in there. I find it hard to accurately represent myself on Instagram, or in photos, sometimes even in songs. I try to take the opportunity to have fun and bring myself into the music a little bit more. I think it’s funny that all my ideas for this album are so literal…I told Tony, “For ‘Horse’...I think I’ll wear a horse mask.” For this one…no surprise…you might be seeing a butterfly.
You seem to gravitate towards animals as metaphors for actions and emotions. Does personal experience or lifestyle have anything to do with this?
R: Absolutely. I love animals so much. Outside of music and acting, they’re my greatest passion. We foster kittens all the time [and] we’re vegan. I find a lot of inspiration and joy within animals.
Alongside their shared animal metaphors, “Horse” and “Butterfly” connect visually and also a bit sonically. Do they speak to the rest of your upcoming album in that sense?
R: I want everything to feel from the same world. Especially cohesive in that you see this series of visuals and you think, ‘Oh right, this is Rainsford from the Before Blue album.’ That candelabra [featured on the cover of “Horse” and “Butterfly”] represents bringing a light to the darkness. I wrote those songs in a different time, but there’s been a lot of growth.
That candelabra headpiece is so memorable.
R: When we were doing the shoot, we realized we should have thought it through a little more. The wax was dripping into my ear and pulling all my hair out. It was a good opportunity for a deep condition!
For sure! Outside of what they can uncover on the singles “Horse” and “Butterfly,” what should the Pleaser audience expect from Before Blue?
R: I just hope people give it a chance and listen to it. It was so difficult for me to pick which would be the singles. Now that everything is coming back mixed and mastered, I’m thinking, ‘Oh wait, should we put that out as a single too?’ There’s not some big team helping me make decisions. It’s me and my friends consulting on our favorites, so I’m not sure which ones are truly the best.
It’s definitely a good sign for the album if you feel like every song you’re putting out is the best song!
R: Yes, and that’s why it’s taken me so long!
As Before Blue nears completion and rollout, you’re finally closing the chapter of your life it covers. How will this transition into the next phase of your music?
R: All of the songs I’ve put out have been, like, sad girl pop songs…I’m ready to be happy. I want to write about stuff that feels good instead of breaking my own heart all the time.
