Rainer Maria
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Studio albums, live DVD, EPs |
| Website | www |
Rainer Maria is an emo music group originating from Madison, Wisconsin, which later established its base in Brooklyn, New York. The band was initially active between 1995 and 2006 before reuniting in 2014. Their discography includes six studio albums, a live DVD, along with several live recordings and various EP releases.
History
Formed in late summer 1995 by Caithlin De Marrais, Kaia Fischer, and William Kuehn, the band took its name from the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. In the early stages, they utilized both male and female vocalists; over time, De Marrais assumed the role of principal lead singer. The choice of a gender-neutral band name mirrored this vocal arrangement.
Through rigorous touring and intimate performances at venues such as Brooklyn’s North Six (which also served as their rehearsal spot), Washington, D.C.’s Black Cat, New York City’s Bowery Ballroom, and Chapel Hill’s Cat’s Cradle, they broadened their audience and enhanced album sales.
On November 6, 2006, the group announced via Pitchfork Media that their December 16 concert at Bowery Ballroom would mark their final show. They thanked their supporters and cited both artistic and personal factors for their decision to disband.
Their concluding performance occurred on December 17, 2006, at North Six in Brooklyn. The set opened with "Artificial Light" and concluded with an extended rendition of "Rise." During the show, Fischer remarked with humor, "we should break up every night," highlighting the emotional intensity of the event.
Reunion
The band made a comeback with a performance at Manhattan’s Bowery Ballroom on December 31, 2014. This was followed by concerts at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall on February 14, 2015; Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on April 18, 2015; and additional Brooklyn shows on July 10–11, 2015. They returned once more to Brooklyn for performances on December 31, 2016, and January 1, 2017.
In June 2017, Rainer Maria unveiled "Lower Worlds," their first new track since reuniting, alongside announcing the release of S/T, their first full-length album in over a decade, which was issued on August 18, 2017.
On February 29, 2024, the band revealed via Instagram that they would be performing at the Best Friends Forever festival in Las Vegas—marking their first live appearance in six years.
Band members
- Caithlin De Marrais – bass guitar, vocals
- Kaia Fischer – guitar, vocals, synthesizers
- William Kuehn – drums and percussion
Discography
- Past Worn Searching (1997, Polyvinyl)
- Look Now Look Again (1999, Polyvinyl)
- A Better Version of Me (2001, Polyvinyl)
- Long Knives Drawn (2003, Polyvinyl)
- Catastrophe Keeps Us Together (2006, Grunion)
- S/T (2017, Polyvinyl)