Get to know: Teni Rane

Teni Rane came onto my radar when I was producing a live music segment in the old warehouse of the now-sold Johnson City Press building.She contacted me and asked to perform, to which I said yes — luckily. She brought some wonderful songs to the big room and lit up the space with her talent and welcoming smile. It's not often you meet someone whose personality is so readily reflected in their voice and delivery, but Rane has an innate sweetness in her sound and her manner. It's infectious.Since that time, she has worked with some of our region's finest musicians and producers, including Gave Eggar, Mike Stephenson and Phil Faconti, and she has continued to create an impressive collection of songs.It isn't surprising that she has found good collaborators; her music is grounded and well-crafted, her voice has a wonderfully tuneful quality and her performances leave you smiling and satisfied — you immediately like her, her music and her sound.If you get the chance to find out for yourself, you should definitely take it — you'll be glad you did.Spend a few moments and get to know Teni Rane.When did you decide music was going to be a big part of your life, and how did you first get involved?"I was lucky to be around music from a young age. Neither of my parents were musicians or involved in music but they enjoyed going to singer/songwriter listening rooms, and my sister and I were always along for the evening. I was a back-seat singer from a very young age and one of my favorite parts of road trips was getting to determine what was going in the 6-CD changer in the mini-van."My path from loving singing to where I am now as a musician was far from linear though. It was really in 2022 that took a leap and began to focus on and build my hopes with music. It took me a while to build the courage to dive out of my engineering career and into a space that required a lot more creativity to shape and a lot more uncertainty tolerance. I've been able to work with some amazing people and learn a lot about my own artistry and mission over the last three years. It definitely has not been simple, but so far it has been deeply worth it."Is this current project the first, or have you been involved in other things?"I am so excited to be working right now on my second full album project. This follows my debut album release in 2024, 'Goldenrod.' I also released a handful of holiday originals in 2022, and my first recorded project was a 2020 EP, 'Heat in Tennessee.' With each foray into the recording world I always have different goals or ideas of what I am really focusing on or improving during that round."For the new album (working title: 'Places/Never Turning Back'), I am exploring more sonic colors and textures and expanding the emotional landscape with the instrumentation. It's delightful to be working with past collaborators again and to add some new faces to the team also. This time around I'm recording in Chattanooga, TN, but some familiar players are involved, with Dave Eggar on cello and string arrangements and Phil Faconti bringing so many characters in on guitars of every variety."What is it about music that makes you want to perform or be involved?"Creating something out of 'nothing' is a really beautiful process. I'm intrigued by how different life experiences and emotional responses can culminate in a lyrical expression wrapped in music. I say 'nothing' in quotes like that because I see my art as an effort of synthesizing elements that are already together in a way that provides some direction or maybe some clarity to the stories, questions or concerns that are present in life. There's really no such thing as 'nothing' because each artistic expression is so indelibly inspired by anything and everything that the creator has come into contact with in the past."I'm so glad that is part of the process because I think it would be rather disheartening to be trying to create in a vacuum! The other piece of it that is meaningful to me is the connections that I make with other folks along the way. Whether it is meeting new folks on the road or the more long term collaborative relationships with other artists, there is something in me that is really oriented towards community and creating something that is bigger than myself or my own stories. Getting to share that with others is an interesting experience to me that keeps me coming back."How would you describe your music/band/project?"I call the folk world my home musically and my broader community. Existing in the folk and singer/songwriter space gives me a lot of leeway when I am adding other instrumentation to my albums. Generally, my work is lyrically led and acoustic guitar. I was a dancer through high school and a lot of the melodies that I end up with are ones that make me want to dance. Not in the EDM dance way but in the ways of concert or performance dance that I miss participating in!"A recent highlight was participating in an artist residency that was a collaborative arts exploration of the concepts of compassion and self compassion. During that time there were a few songs off the album that the incredibly talented dancers choreographed pieces to and it made my heart soar. Vocally, people often tell me they are reminded of Natalie Merchant, Gillian Welch or Norah Jones."Video links from the residency:{p class="p3"}Small Steps @ IFAA https://youtu.be/zqM5v0K87Vs{p class="p3"}Caramel @ IFAA https://youtu.be/pSeiUBRwaz0Is this something you see yourself doing as a career?"I definitely see this as a long term commitment with a focus on growth and learning. Music is a weird and winding 'career' to have because there is so much comparison upward between independent artists and those with major label support. In ways it fits the bill and definition that 'career' calls to mind, but in other ways it's an amorphous endeavor that I know I have to work a little bit everyday to shape into something that gives me life instead of crushing life out of me. I know I'll be doing this for a long time. I can't imagine not doing it, honestly. I have several more projects on the dream board, and the main 'work' of it all is figuring out how to align all the financial, time and energetic pieces in the long run to keep it all sustainable."What are your other interests? Do you have any surprise talents or hobbies?"I have a lot of house plants. And not really fancy ones or anything, just ones that I enjoy propagating and watching grow. There is something really rewarding about spotting a new leaf growing on a plant that I've been caring for or a new root bopping out on a propagation. I like being outside whether that's hiking, picnicking or taking my little motorcycle for a drive in nice weather. I'm also incredibly interested in the art and science of well-being and overall health. I engage with those interests by working as a yoga teacher and mindfulness skills advocate in several behavioral healthcare facilities in town. It's a very rewarding time spent and I am constantly learning more about myself through the process of engaging others in conversations about rest, fun, hope and kindness."Who are your influences/favorites (worldwide and local)?"I often find I am most inspired today by my friends and peers in the folk world. It takes so much love, effort and courage to continue pursuing music and to keep it as a fulfilling and meaningful part of life. On the level of the people who are not only making beautiful art but also doing it in their own way and defining their own successes, I am a huge fan of Lucy Isabel, Rachael Sage, Alice Hasen and local favorite Beth Snapp. I always learn by observing and absorbing what others are doing and why and how it is working for them. On bigger scales the lifelong writers like Amber Rubarth, Ani DiFranco and Dar Williams have an authenticity that helps me keep walking forward. Of course I have to nod to Natalie Merchant and Carole King and Nanci Griffith as they were in my ears from a very young age."If you could tell people one thing they should know about you, what would it be?"I am a very deliberate and intense person. I really like to be able to create spaces of focus and work intentionally towards goals — big or little. I think overall I highly value showing up for life and living it with a focus on well-being and balance. When those feel threatened for me, I feel a bit out of sorts. I really like working with others that are also showing up for life and are committed to finding creative ways to prioritize hope and fun and rest."You can find more information about Rane and her upcoming performances at facebook.com/teniranemusic or @teniranemusic on instagram.