Berkshire Magazine Spring 2024 | Page 11

Kallman , and I sang for them in the studio . We signed a deal with Genre Defining Entertainment through Atlantic Records , and everything just took off from there .

Loveland is both ambitious and self-aware . Each track has a different flavor and production style , but themes of love , self-discovery , confidence , and individuality factor into the overall musical narrative . How did your personal evolution play a role in the creative process ? Everybody has a different life path . For some people , they know exactly who they are at a young age . For others , it takes a little bit longer for them to understand who they are and what they like . It starts with an inner knowledge of who you are outside of being a creative , and outside of your social life , friends , and career . I think that once you ’ re secure , it ’ s so much easier to get out there and give the world your art in the way that you want to express it . When you ’ re confident in yourself , you won ’ t let somebody sway you into doing what they want . You ’ ll fight for your art and your right to take time for yourself . I made Loveland at a time where I was fighting hard in all aspects of my life . I used to not take as much time for myself , and I let people walk all over me . That has completely changed . If you can ’ t take care of yourself ,

you ’ re pouring from an empty cup , and I ’ m grateful that my management and my team understand that . I love what I do and I love this industry , but it ’ s not going to come above my mental health . Loveland was built around that process of growth and change . I recorded many of the songs four years ago , other than “ Big Daddy ,” which I wrote last year . “ Homemade ” is a song that still means a lot to me . I really love the beat , and BRIDGE- TOWN did an incredible job with the production . It brought more realness to the project , and although I ’ ve grown so much since writing it , I ’ m still proud of it .

You ’ ve toured around the country , been interviewed on BET and by Billboard , premiered a high-profile single on Apple Music with Ebro Darden , performed at Coachella , and released a fantastic new project since signing with Genre Defining Entertainment and Atlantic Records . How did it feel to perform at MASS MoCA in collaboration with the Berkshire Black Economic Council for their Juneteenth celebration last year ? I had never performed back home before then , so it was a little bit of a homecoming , and it sparked some ideas in my mind . I ’ m extremely grateful to MASS MoCA and the council for that platform , and I want to carry that same energy

forward by hosting a festival at some point in my career . I think it would be incredible to do it at home in the Berkshires . It would be helpful for our local artists , and it would be great because we have a lot to offer there — great museums , beautiful art , great food , great music , and beautiful scenery .

What do you like to do most when you come home ? I love visiting my family in Pittsfield , going to Guido ’ s , and eating at Haven . When I was in high school , I would leave on my little breaks to go over there and get lunch with my friends . One of my sisters lives in Becket , so I like going up there and hanging by the creek and playing with my nieces and nephews . I also love going to Olivia ’ s Overlook in Lenox . It ’ s gorgeous .

What are you most excited about for 2024 ? I ’ ve already started working on my next project . I have a lot of creative freedom , so it ’ s been really exciting to create my brand as Raiche , as well as the music . I think there will be more growth in that sense , and I would love to use my platform to make an impact in a positive light . I don ’ t think I ’ m always going to be able to preach a perfect message through my music , but I see it as an honest , creative expression of my love . n

— Benjamin Lerner

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Spring 2024 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 9