Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Rakestraw
Hi Adam, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Remnant of a Loss has always been about the chaos of life and all the things the world might throw at you. Our goal as artists has been to turn collective frustrations into a sound, and through hardcore music, we’ve achieved just that. While it wasn’t easy, we’ve always done everything in our power to make the music happen.
Jacob and I have been friends since the 7th grade, and we’d both played in the same few dead-end bands together. After we realized we weren’t going anywhere with those groups, we decided to split off and write our own music, forming Remnant of a Loss. By the time we were in high school in 2019, Jacob and I had recorded bad quality Garageband demos of our first album, “Panic.” We sent these demos to our friend Brody Wilson from the punk band Billy Batts and the Made Men, who helped us re-record and professionally produce the songs out of his basement.
While we recorded with Brody, we invited our mutual friend Charlie into the studio to hang out with us. Coincidentally, we needed a lead guitarist, and Charlie had just picked up the instrument. Realizing that Jacob could not play all the parts he recorded on the album live, he decided to recruit Charlie into the band.
After Jacob, Charlie, and I spent the better part of two years not having a consistent drummer to play live shows with, we finally met Jayden. Through some convincing, we added him to the lineup and that’s how we got here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We definitely struggle with the usual problems: time, money, and getting our foot in the door. I would have to say the biggest challenge is how spread out we became when we went to college. We all went off to different places and Jayden is still stuck in High School. This means we can only play shows during certain months of the year, at least until we graduate. That being said, when we are all in one place we practice and write incessantly to make up for the time we don’t have together.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We’re most proud of the sound we’ve created, especially on our new album “The End Times.” It’s a special mix of hardcore, alternative rock, and punk that we consider to be a pretty authentic sound. We stray away from any gimmicks that would distract from the music, especially live. Our sets are always played straight through without stops between songs, to keep it as direct and high energy as possible. This keeps our fans in the moment and gives them an escape, which we take seriously.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As independent artists, I can’t say we’ve had many mentors, but we do have role models. For inspiration, we try to look at the greats that have done it before us. Some of our biggest musical influences have been At the Drive-In, Turnstile, The Pixies, and Nirvana among others. There’s also a lot to gain from paying attention to those around you. Supporting local acts and meeting new bands is probably the best way to form meaningful connections and grow in the scene. Go out to shows and meet your contemporaries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://remnantofaloss.wixsite.com/remnantofaloss
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remnantofaloss/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc00JmOs95yOO96btfPvBwQ
- Other: https://linktr.ee/remnantofaloss
Image Credits
John Bohannon, Ethen Arevolo
