The Raines are a folk/Americana trio based in Galway on the west coast of Ireland. The band formed in 2019 and consists of Ruth Dillon, Yvonne Tiernan and Juliana Erkkonen. Since the three came together to form The Raines, they have used their collective experience and influences to create a unique and pure sound, writing strong and melodic songs, in which they weave in and out of vocal harmony and counter-melody, interlaced with tender and rhythmic strings.

Having all met on the tiny island of Inis Oírr, off the West coast of Ireland, their mutual love of melody and words was realised and the idea for The Raines was born. There is an unmistakable chemistry between the three. Both Yvonne and Ruth are Irish born, while Juliana is a native of Finland, which makes for a truly original blend of musical styles, and a sound that connects deeply with the audience.

The Raines comprises of Ruth Dillon (vocals, guitar, ukulele) who has toured and recorded with the legendary vocalist Dolores Keane, is a former member of The Molly Hicks, and has three solo albums of her own. Yvonne Tiernan (vocals/ukulele/percussion) has toured the world with numerous bands, most significantly as the lead singer with ‘The Chieftains’ and Juliana Erkkonen (fiddle and vocals) has been at the forefront of the Americana musical scene in Ireland and has released 8 albums with a diverse range of acts.

“The Raines put me in mind of something from Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue from 1975 – particularly with the parts with Scarlet Rivera on violin opposite Bob – meets an edgy Emmylou Harris…” – Barry Egan (Independent.ie)