INTERVIEW: RINI

Dedicated yet tranquil, emerging yet eminent, RINI is a rare gem amidst the rubble of mainstream R&B.

RINI is the type of artist that doesn’t come about often. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, with Filipino heritage, RINI embodies the term ‘natural talent’. As a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer, this artist has rapidly risen above the rest since his debut on Youtube 5 years ago. Since then, he has reached over 70 Million streams on Spotify and collaborated with some of the biggest industry tastemakers, including Wale and EARTHGANG. His fusion of lush bedroom beats, poetic confessions and warm, silky vocals make for a refreshingly intimate musical experience.

Now, RINI gifts us with a brand new project, Constellations. An album he describes as a romantic reminder of how we are all connected; “Just like the stars in the night skies that connect to form constellations and just like how my special person and I connected in the first place”.

I was able to ask RINI some questions about his incredible journey so far and the creative process behind his latest album.

Interview by BONNIE HOGAN

Photographs by MARTINA MARTIM

What sparked your journey as an artist?

I started my journey as an artist when I first made song cover videos on Youtube. I've always loved playing the guitar, but I never really used to sing until then. After that, I got into performing more and became more confident as I went. I eventually built up a decent following on Youtube and started to go out on the streets of Melbourne to play for some spare change. While I was out on the streets, people came up to me and asked me to play at their venues and do open mic gigs.

Around the same time, I started to listen to a lot of R&B songs and realised that I wanted to create music in the same way. I met a friend that had a home studio, and we started working together. I wrote my first song, ‘Wasted,’ on a beat that he was supposed to get rid of - just for the fun of it. To my surprise, the song did really well and got playlisted on Spotify, so we decided to keep working together on music. I made my first self-titled project with help from my friends and people I met at the time, and it exceeded my expectations with so much love and support from my small fanbase. I got to know myself more through music and discover my own sound, and that’s when I created After The Sun. That EP was very special to me because it solidified me as an R&B artist. I toured with this EP around Australia, and selling out my first show in Melbourne was such a surreal experience. Seeing a whole crowd of people singing the songs word by word made me realise that this was something that I wanted to do my entire life.

In this look, RINI wears Shirt, **Daily Paper**, Trousers, **Agency Eleven,** Shoes, **Off-White**

What or who would you say has influenced your sound?

I grew up listening to Queen, The Eagles, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, which made me pick up the guitar. When I moved to Australia at the age of 13, I was exposed to a lot of R&B songs through my friends. Artists like Musiq Soulchild, D’angelo, Lauryn Hill, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Kehlani, Bryson Tiller were some of my major influences in music.

How do you think your sound has grown since your first few releases?

My sound has definitely evolved from the first few releases. I’ve always had a passion for creating music, and I love experimenting with different genres and sounds. I think my music has become more and more sophisticated, yet it stayed consistent with the vibe. I’ve also become more open and honest with my writing. I’ve always felt like music and writing was the safest place to express my feelings and emotions that I may never be able to express in my day to day.

RINI wears all garments, **Reuben Selby**

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in music - from doing Youtube covers in my bedroom to playing shows in festivals overseas to moving out to America and meeting some of my heroes and working with so many talented people who share the same passion.

What does your creative/writing process look like?

I don’t really have a specific routine or formula that I follow in making music. I do it differently every time. Sometimes I play chords on my guitar first; sometimes, I hum melodies in my head, sometimes I make beats on my laptop and go from there. My environment definitely affects my mood and what I want to write; for example, if I were in a beach house by the beach at night, I would most likely create a song that feels like that. It’s all about how the sound feels to me. I believe that the sound creates the mood and that always comes first to me before the words.

How has this process changed over time, if at all?

Moving to America, I was exposed to a whole different culture. Their music industry was very fast-paced. I’ve learned to collaborate with many other writers and producers, and obviously, they have a different way of making music. So much quicker than what I’m used to. They’d have a beat ready to write on and everything. But, I still prefer living in the moment when creating music and jamming out with people. I feel like the actual experience of creating from nothing is what I enjoy the most.

**Tell us about your latest album, Constellations.**

‘Constellations’ is basically a love story. It’s the different phases of a new relationship. I wrote it from my personal experience about someone special to me. From the moment we met to when I left for America and had a long-distance relationship. This person was a long time friend of mine, and after a couple of years of losing contact, we found our way back to each other, and that’s when it all started. The album goes through the journey of opening up and being comfortable and the feeling of missing someone. I called it ‘Constellations’ because this experience taught me to believe that everything happens for a reason and everyone is connected and plays a part in each and everyone’s life.

Just like the stars in the night skies that connect to form constellations and just like how my special person and I connected in the first place.

Listen to RINI’s Constellations below.

What’s your favourite song on the album?

I keep changing my answer, but I think ‘A Starry Night in Apollo Bay’ is my favourite because it reminds me of Apollo Bay every time I hear it. It’s like a whole flashback of that moment.

Your music is undeniably very intimate and honest, your lyrics especially. Is this a trait you naturally embody into everyday life or is music that specific emotional outlet for you?

Yes, it is a natural trait of mine. I’m a very affectionate and emotional person, and I think that flows through the music.

What is coming up next for RINI?

I will be going on tour in November with Alina Baraz and doing a couple of shows around America. I’m also looking forward to doing more tours at the start of next year in different countries. I will also be working on the next project and collaborating with more artists and producers as I go.

FOLLOW RINI

INSTAGRAM | LATEST MUSIC

CREATIVE TEAM

Interview by BONNIE HOGAN @bonnieelouise

Photographer - MARTINA MARTIN @martina Martin
Stylist - Mhya McLean @mhyamclean
Grooming - Charlotte Creighton @charlotterosiecreighton
Location - Not Just Another Store @notjustanotherstore_ldn