The last time Raquel Rawn played Wednesday on the Wharf, she was part of a Salmon Arm Secondary Band led by Jim Johnston.
The classically trained violinist will be back next Wednesday as part of a totally different music scene.
For the past year, the 2008 SAS grad has been part of the popular Vancouver band, Headwater.
Described as fierce, sentimental and sexy, the band has earned a reputation as one of the finest acoustic roots groups around.
Formed in 2003 by childhood friends Jonas Shandel (vocals/guitar/banjo) and Matt Bryant, who has since left the band, Headwater’s music was inspired by the rugged wilderness of Lynn Headwaters Regional Park on Vancouver’s North Shore.
Following Bryant’s departure, Shandel has been collaborating with new singers, songwriters, musicians and producers.
Enter Rawn, who happens to live across the street from Shandel’s Vancouver home.
Rawn began playing violin at the age of six, first studying with Susan Aylard, before heading to Vernon for more training.
Rawn describes Salmon Arm as an artistic community and a great place to grow up in musically.
“I played in all the Shuswap festivals and at the art gallery,” says Rawn. “I went through SAS band with Jim Johnston and PJ (Brian Pratt-Johnson.)”
After graduating, Rawn enrolled in Capilano College’s classical studies program, graduating in 2010
“I was fortunate enough to go with other Salmon Arm musicians and all of them are doing really well,” she says. “PJ was a wonderful teacher and so was Jim Johnston.”
But shortly after graduation from Capilano, Rawn gave up her violin.
“I realized I didn’t want to play in an orchestra and I was basically too old to be violin virtuoso,” she laughs. “I told myself, ‘this is a dream that’s not gonna happen.’”
It wasn’t long before Rawn was asked to play a small part for an album, a eureka event that opened up other genres to the young violinist.
“I didn’t think that was something I’d be interested in,” she says. “It’s a whole new challenge having to write my own material.”
Rawn says Shandel pushes her to write, mixing classical training with more folk and pop melodies.”
“I do really enjoy performing, but as great as classical is, no one is gonna be dancing to a Vivaldi Concerto,” she says, thankful for the classical base but equally thankful for not being constricted by it. “When learning classical, you’re not taught to improvise or make things up on your own, but that’s what I’ve been doing for the last couple of years.”
Rawn is excited to be playing in her hometown for the first time July 23 at Marine Park. Wednesday on the Wharf begins at 6:45 and admission is by donation.
