The music of Ray Seraphin is somewhat of an outlier in a Bay Area underground scene renowned for its delicious jangle and fog enveloped fuzz. Giddy riffs and heart tugging solos are his trademark, brought down to earth by a keen eye for melody and an unmistakable street smart croon.
R.E. Seraphin’s second album Fool’s Mate arrived earlier this year, split between Take A Turn Records in the US and Safe Suburban Home in the UK. It’s been on non-stop rotation here at heavymetalkids.uk towers so I was naturally delighted when Ray kindly agreed to answer a few questions for me:
Hi Ray, thank you for talking to heavymetalkids.uk. I think for a lot of us, certainly here in the UK at least, this years album Fool’s Mate was our jump-on point for your work. I am aware however that there is more to the story than that. Could you fill us in with a little detail regarding R.E. Seraphin’s origin story and how you arrived at this point?
Hey, Fran! I’ve played in bands most of my life and started writing songs at around age 13—way before I knew the slightest about playing guitar. That said, I mostly functioned as a co-front person or an instrumentalist; the exceptions to that would be my most recent band Talkies, where I served as the primary songwriter, and my solo work. When Talkies dissolved, I was determined to record the songs I had accumulated while playing in that group, and those songs became my first album, Tiny Shapes.
Tiny Shapes was released in February 2020 and, of course, the pandemic hit right after. So, being unemployed and unable to play shows, I just kept recording. I recorded two EPs, A Room Forever and Swingshift, remotely during 2020 and 2021. When shows resumed, I put together the lineup that eventually recorded Fool’s Mate, which was actually made in 2022. And now I’m here!
To my ears at least your sound differs somewhat from a lot of your Bay Area contemporaries. I find you less inclined to jangle and fuzz, favouring a killer riff or rousing solo. What were the main influences that informed the writing/recording of Fool’s Mate, musically or otherwise?
My musical background is in punk and garage rock, so I’m a bit predisposed to guitar solos and riffs. And I’m steadfast in my commitment to chugging power chords. This is the style I’ve settled into—for better or worse.
Truthfully, while I appreciate the form, I don’t listen to a ton of jangly music these days. I think groups like Magazine, The Only Ones, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Green on Red, and The Soft Boys were the main inspiration for Fool’s Mate. I guess some of those bands are jangle-adjacent?
Fool’s Mate found a home here on the wonderful Safe Suburban Home Records. How did this UK connection come about and have you found it rewarding being able to reach a wider audience with this latest release?
I first reached out to Jim Quinn about co-releasing my last EP, Swingshift, with Mt.St.Mtn. and Dandy Boy Records. I just made a cold call (or cold email, if you will). To my surprise, he signed on immediately, and we’ve worked together ever since—despite my unimpressive sales numbers. He’s a very dependable, enthusiastic guy who I’m lucky to know.
I’m not entirely sure I’ve reached a wider audience with this release but I certainly appreciate anyone who listens to and enjoys my music. It’s always gratifying when someone like you, who lives thousands of miles away, has bought my record and liked it enough to do an interview with me.
Fool’s Mate had its US release via local label Take A Turn and saw you link up with a host of gifted friends/musicians. Are there any other labels or artists you are particularly keen to work with, or is it just a case of taking each moment as it comes and seeing where the project leads you?
I’m supposed to start recording with Mike Ramos (Tony Jay/Flowertown) this weekend, so he’s definitely among the people I’d like to collaborate with! I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of my favorite local musicians and labels already, but I could indulge in a long-distance collaboration. You wanna record something, Fran?
Lastly, I’m fully aware of the close knit community that exists within the Bay Area underground. Are they any other bands, artists or labels you’d like to shout out whilst you have the floor here at heavymetalkids.uk?
This is always a tough question! I have trouble remembering who I’ve shouted out previously, so I’ll just list my bandmates’ other groups: Sob Stories, Chime School, Body Double, Latitude, The Aerosols, Al Harper, The Reds, Pinks & Purples, Extra Classic, Yea-Ming & The Rumours, and Ryli. I may be forgetting some; they are in a lot of bands!
So, whilst I head off to hone my riff-writing skills in preparation for the HMK/Seraphin collab you never knew you needed, I suggest you all check out the links provided above and find your way into R.E. Seraphin’s unique power pop landscape.
Fool’s Mate is out now via Safe Suburban Home/Take A Turn, be sure to pick up a copy here. You can also pick up a Bandcamp only demos collection here, with all proceeds going to the National Bail Fund Network.
Huge thanks to Ray Seraphin for his time and attention.
heavymetalkids.uk 
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