Followers of the North Bay music scene have undoubtedly heard of young upstart guitarist Bella Rayne. Following an article in Guitar World magazine and a shoutout by one of her heroes, Susan Tedeschi, in the same publication.
The 18-year-old Rayne is catching the eyes and ears of rock fans around the globe, earning more than 14,000 plus Instagram followers and a slot kicking off the popular Backyard Concert series for local radio station The Krush 95.9 this summer.
Bohemian: You hail from Mendocino County. Are you still a resident?
Bella Rayne: Yeah. Even though I was born in the mountains of North Carolina, I call Mendocino home, and I live right on the coast just south of the village. It’s one of those places where everyone kinda knows everyone, and you grow up running through vineyards, coastal headlands and redwoods.
Do you have a distinct memory of what made you want to teach yourself guitar? Was it just being antsy during Covid?
Totally a Covid moment. I was 14 and going a little stir-crazy in lockdown. I was bored, digging around in the garage looking for something to do, and I found an old guitar case covered in stickers. I was curious, so I opened it and found my mom’s old ’90s Strat full of dings with rusty strings. I never expected to play it, but I thought it could be fun to try to fix it up.
I remember picking out some strings and watching YouTube videos on how to change them. After all that, I figured, ‘I may as well try and learn a song or two’ and ended up deep diving into guitar tutorials for my fav songs, which at the time was stuff like: Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone and other Seattle Grunge Era bands. I still feel like I have that heavier kinda edge in my playing for sure.
You list a lot of influences (Susan Tedeschi, the Grateful Dead, Southern Rock) that one may not associate with a teenager. Did you ever have any cross-cultural weird looks from friends who are listening to more mainstream music while you’re, like, jamming out to Tedeschi Trucks?
Oh, for sure. I mean, people my age are into all sorts of music, but I feel like my top picks are definitely different than most of my peers. Like, I’ll listen to anything from southern rock to R&B to alternative to bluegrass. What’s cool these days is that it doesn’t feel like you have to resonate with just ONE genre; anything goes. I have friends texting me for recommendations and coming to my shows saying, ‘Okay… I finally get the Dead thing.’
For the Krush Backyard, you’re doing the music of JGB and the Grateful Dead. You also have a band name you use, which is “Bella Rayne and Friends.” Do these “friends” change each show, or can you talk about who’s usually in there and who will be joining you in the Krush Backyard?
Yeah, the “friends” part is pretty literal— the lineup rotates depending on the show, but it’s always people I really click with musically and personally, many of whom have long histories in the Bay Area music scene. For the Krush Backyard, I’ve got my dream team and the core band that joined me at Bottlerock last month: Emerson Rose on vocals, an up and comer from LA who channels that gospel-soul thing and really lifts the whole sound, Alex Jordan on rhythm guitar and vocals—he’s usually my Hammond/keys player, but this time he’ll be the Bob to my Jerry.
Angeline Saris on bass, holding it down with a touch of funk and a killer vibe, and Danny Luehring on drums, who’s been with me for almost every show. Plus, for the first time, I’m stoked to welcome Danny Eisenberg on keys. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with him a handful of times, but never on a Bella Rayne & Friends gig.
You have been working on original songs. How has it been coming, from being self-taught and emulating people like the ones I mentioned and then trying to write your own songs? What are some challenges and some breakthroughs?
At first, even just thinking about writing music felt huge. I had no idea where to start, but after I took a step back, I realized it was coming to me more and more naturally. I stopped trying to sound like my heroes and started pulling bits and pieces from them to tell my own story. I’ve been taking some down time to really focus on what inspires me, in and outside of music. I feel like singing and having some songs of my own is definitely the next step, so I’ve got my fingers crossed about recording an EP later this year.
What can people expect if they come out for the KRUSH Backyard show?
It’s gonna be a big ol’ backyard hang. Expect all your favorite Dead and JGB tunes with a gritty twist, a lotta smiles and maybe a surprise or two. Bring a blanket, bring a friend—it’s gonna be one of those shows you remember.
Learn more at bella-rayne.com.
‘Backyard’ Concerts
A Summer of Song is Set
All KRSH Backyard concerts are 6-8pm, at the station’s Backyard, located at 3565 Standish Ave., Santa Rosa. Drink tickets are cash only. Admission is free.
The Backyard opens at 5:30pm. All ages are welcome; seating is first come, first serve. No pets, coolers, outside food or drink, or high back chairs.
6pm, Thursday, June 26
Bella Rayne & Friends playing the music of JGB and Grateful Dead with Gas Money
6pm, Thursday, July 10
Lydia Pense and Cold Blood with Marshall House Project
6pm, Friday, July 18
The KRUSH Backyard and Beyond presents, in association with Santa Rosa Metro Chamber of Commerce, The Sorentinos and Pardon the Interruption
Note: This concert is at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa.
6pm, Thursday, July 31
KRUSH Americana presents Wreckless Strangers with Gill Brothers Band
6pm, Thursday, Aug. 14
Rockabilly Roadhouse with Big Dave presents Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys plus Jinx Jones & The KingTones
6pm, Thursday, Sept. 4
Sonoma County Super Jam featuring the Pulsators and All Star Special Guests Volker Strifler, Spike Sikes, Sebastian St. James, Andre DeChannes, Ellie James, Danny Sorentino, Anna Jae, Kevin Mulligan. Hosted by Johnny Campbell
More info at krsh.com/backyard-concerts-2025.
