Ep. 039: Rayna Zemel - Playback Engineer, Producer, Composer

05/01/21 • 40 min

Passionate and extroverted, Rayna’s varied background gives her a unique perspective as well as an ability to engage people from all walks of life. Before graduating with a degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont, Rayna grew up at the intersection of multiple cultures.
As a child, Rayna was raised between three worlds - She could be found at a Baptist church in Camden, New Jersey with her grandmother, at synagogue in Philadelphia with her mother’s family of Jewish academics, or at St. Columba’s episcopal church in Washington D.C. Rayna decided to pursue a career in the music industry and moved to Los Angeles, where she eventually ended up working in the touring industry as a playback engineer with artists such as Logic, Pentatonix, Due Lipa, Iggy Azalea, Hailee Steinfeld, The Lonely Island, Lana Del Rey, DJ Khaled, and more.
Additionally, she is a music composer who's work has been featured in over 75 television shows, movies, and commercials. The events of 2020 led her to pursue her passion for documentary photography. Rayna has documented over 50 protests in the Los Angeles area, her work and efforts are featured in the short film “We Can’t Breathe”.
Producer / Music Director
Winters Rock Entertainment
Sep 2018 – Present
Business development, talent scouting, on-site photographer, and post-production audio mixing. Producer: “We Can’t Breathe” (2020)Composer: “We Can’t Breath” (2020) Producer: “Storm” (2020) Composer: “Beyond the Edge”(2020) Composer: “Letters to Liam” (2019) Music Supervisor: “Letters to Liam” (2019)
Playback Engineer
Pentatonix Inc
Jan 2020 – Present
Playback Engineer
DUA LIPA LIVE LLP
Nov 2019 – Jan 2020
Playback Engineer / Programmer
Hailee Steinfeld
Aug 2019 – Nov 2019
Playback Engineer & MIDI Tech
Lana Del Rey
Mar 2019 – Nov 2019
Pro Tools Playback Engineer
The Lonely Island
May 2019 – Jun 2019
Ableton Programmer / Playback Engineer
Dua Lipa
Apr 2019
Ableton Programmer / Playback Engineer
Gunnar Gehl
Oct 2018 – Dec 2018
Ableton Programmer / Playback Engineer
PRETTYMUCH
Jul 2018 – Sep 2018
Ableton Programmer / Playback
Jun 2017 – Aug 2018
Ableton Playback / Programming
Troye Sivan
Mar 2018 – Apr 2018
Ableton Playback Operator
Lil’ Wayne
Sep 2017
Playback Designer & Programmer
Saint Motel
Dec 2016
Director of Vibes | Producer | Mixer
Math Club Music
Jun 2016 – Oct 2016
Electronic Creatives
Feb 2016 – Mar 2016
Ableton playback for Iggy Azalea.
Electronic Creatives
Title Tour Manager / Production Manager
Niykee Heaton "The Bedroom Tour" 2015
Oct 2015 – Dec 2015
Tour Manager Production Manager
Ableton Playback Operator: Kiesza
Jan 2015 – Oct 2015
Product Ambassador / Tester
Livid Instruments
Nov 2014 – Jan 2015
Guitar Wing MIDI Controller Product Ambassador for the Greater Los Angeles Area.
Recording Arts Instructor
The Los Angeles Film School
Jul 2011 – Sep 2014
Instructor - Beginning and Advanced Music production in Pro Tools, Ableton, and Logic.
Producer/Engineer
Kops & Robbers
Jan 2010 – Jan 2012
Guest Links:
https://raynazemel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rayzemel/
https://www.twitter.com/rayzemel/
https://www.wintersrockentertainment.com/

Support the show

Support the show

Previous Episode

Ep. 038: Sai Hanif - CEO, Drum Tech, Tour Manager

Sai Hanif has been working in the music industry for over sixteen years. In addition to live event production, he founded and continues to run a successful musical instrument brand. Sai has taken his business acumen and applied it to the artists he works with throughout his career. He specializes in scaling artists by implementing processes to create efficient workflows with respect to the creative process. Specialties: Tour Direction, Production Management, Design, Budgeting, Travel, Logistics, Business Strategy, and Artist Development.
Founder and CEO
Masters of Maple Drums
Established in 2002 Masters of maple is one of the leading boutique drum manufacturers in the world. The brand produces high quality instruments with a limited distribution model, and is one of the few manufacturers to make their ply drum shells in house.
Tour Director, Production Manager
Gabriel " Fluffy" Iglesias
May 2019 – Present
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is an acclaimed stand up comedian with multiple Netflix specials, and storied career in entertainment.
Production Manager, Technical Director
X ambassadors Contract
Oct 2019 – Present
Production management for the “Orion” world tour album campaign. X ambassadors are a Grammy award winning alternative band from Ithaca, New York. I oversaw design and fabrication of the new stage production, which incorporated video elements utilizing the new disguise D3 media server.
Production Consultant, Drum Technician [Joshua Homme]
Eagles of Death Metal
Dates Employed Apr 2015 – Present
Eagles of Death Metal are a rock band from Palm Desert, California. I served as drum technician for Mr. Homme when he would play drums live with the band.
Tour Manager, Production Manager, Creative Director
Jakob Dylan
Jul 2014 – Present
Jakob Dylan is a Grammy award winning and lead singer of The Wallflowers. I have been responsible for all special projects in many capacities. Mr. Dylan is involved in many charities at the forefront of health and world issues.
Founder and CEO
Ghost Tech Touring Full-time
Mar 2012 – Present
Ghost Tech Touring is a full service production company. We specialize in all aspects of touring operations such as but not limited to: bus rental, insurance, crew management, budget control, audio visual services, backline, logistics, expendable management. Typically clients save between 4-19% on gross revenue touring expenses.
Production Manager
Walk The Moon
May 2016 – Present
Production management for the “What if Nothing” album campaign. Walk the Moon are a rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Tour Manager, Production Manager, Management
The Wallflowers
Jan 2011 – Present
Tour Manager | Production Manager [2013- Present]Stage Manager | Backline Crew Chief | Drum Technician | Keyboard Technician [2011-2013] The Wallflowers are a two-time Grammy award winning rock band from Los Angeles, California.
Tour Director, Technical Director, Band Liaison, Production Accountant
Echo in the Canyon
Dates Employed 2018 – 2019
Echo In The Canyon is a 2018 film paying homage to the music of the sixties and the cultural revolution surrounding Laurel Canyon. It was released in theaters May 24, 2019.
https://Mdrums.com/
https://myghosttech.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ladrumguy/
https://www.instagram.com/mastersofmaple
Al Schmitt video referenced in interview

Support the show

Next Episode

Ep. 040: Aoife Ahern - Tour Manager, Production Coordinator

Aoife Ahern has a huge amount of Project Management experience, having been a Global Producer, Tour Manager, Production Coordinator, Advance Manager|Artist Relations and a Talent Booker. She has advanced many large scale festivals (80,000+ capacity) such as Oxegen Festival to Kaaboo Festival. She has also been a promoter's rep and a production manager for a huge number of shows, as well as promoting weekly shows of 2000+ capacity. Aoife has toured with artists such as Prince, Beyonce, Jay-Z, One Direction, Arcade Fire, Chris Brown, Gavin Friday, The Waterboys, Billy Ocean, Sting, Madonna plus many more. During this time, she has performed roles such as Tour Manager, Production Co-ordinator, and VIP Facilities Manager. Aoife manages and co-ordinates large volumes of information - from budgets, crew, travel, logistics, riders, content, schedules, visas, dressing rooms, ground transport, merchandise & VIP management. She has also worked with a vast array of international talent, promoters, founders, entrepreneurs, agents, TMs, suppliers, venues & crew over the years.
Tour Management
Tame Impala
Jul 2019 – Present
Facilities Manager | One Direction | Chris Brown | Beyonce | Jay-Z | Sting | Madonna
Live Nation | VIP Nation
2015 – Present
Duties Include:Facilities Manager for all VIPs daily.Coordinating all Early Entry Tickets daily.Coordinating all Hot Tickets Entries daily.Liaising and managing security and queuing systems.Managing all signage for Early Entries & Hot Tickets.Managing of all ticket booths, ticketing, wristbands and staff.Daily brief with security, venue and Live NationManaging of all VIP Merchandise.Daily reports for Live/VIP Nation.Setting & Running of office.Troubleshooting, managing all issues that arose.
Tour Manager
Gavin Friday
Jul 2011 – Present
Managing budgets based on fee for each show.Booking and managing logistics, such as travel, accommodation, ground transport. Coordinating with press department and accompanying artist to all press calls. Drawing up of all riders based on requirement of traveling party and foreseeing their implementation at each show. Managing of all crew and touring party.Arranging work permits for non EU band members in relevant country. Coordinating all aspects of production.Dealing with cash and payment. Liaising between management, agent, promoter and band to make sure that everyone has information required to make each show a successful event.Liaising with Event Control to ensure that all health and safety matters are adhered to for safety of band and audience.
Production Coordinator
Prince
May 2014 – Present
Location European / Canadian & American Tour
Booking of hotels, flights & ground transport for all Crew.Arranging Visa for all Crew.Managing and organising of artist catering.Designing daily menu for artist.Managing of Dressing Rooms & Riders on a daily basis.Signage for Backstage Area.Assisting TM/PM with production requirements.Running & assisting in production office.Dealing with crew, suppliers, management, venues and artists needs on a daily basis.
Senior VIP Nation Event Manager | International Tours
VIP Nation Europe | Live Nation
Oct 2018 – Sep 2019
London, United Kingdom
Michelle Obama, Mumford & Sons, Blackpink, BTS, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel.
Guest links:
https://www.facebook.com/aoife.ahern
https://www.instagram.com/aoifelike/