Rain Diary is a synth rock band from Finland. The band was formed in 2006 by Joni Bitter (guitar, bass, programming), Teemu Rantanen (guitar) and Tommi Suomala (former lead singer), soon the band joined Tytti Kallioniemi (Keyboard, Synths, Vocals). They performed with a variety of drummers until discovering Lauri Kujasalo (Drums, Percussion) who has been with them ever since.
In 2007, the band released their self-titled EP that led to bands first chart success: ‘A Song of Mellow Weep’ got 4th highest votes at YleX Himotuimmat (most wanted) chart of 2008. The band also started their flourishing collaboration with well know Finnish director Juha Lankinen (Cheek, Anna Puu, Jonna Tervomaa etc.) who shot a music video for ‘It’s Only Rain’.
In 2009, Rain Diary started their first ‘The Lights Are Violent Here’ recording session with Jaani Peuhu (Iconcrash, Before The Dawn, To/Die/For). At this point band’s sound took the first steps towards more electronic approach but still maintaining it’s “trademarked” candlelit side.
In 2010 band enjoyed more chart success when single ‘Lost’ hit #18 at Finnish Official Download Charts. To boost the success, Rain Diary’s “graphic visionaire” Jani Saajanaho (Before The Dawn, Profane Omen etc.) shot and directed a splendid music video.
In 2011, after highly productive sessions the band released their 3rd single ‘Mirror of Your Grace’ for which conceptual artist Zabek Ismael shot another brilliant music video. The first real signs of Rain Diary’s growing interest in Germany was their avant-garde music video Sera appearing on Zillo magazines 2011/12 Dark Visions Christmas special DVD.
After an extensive search for the right label, the final piece of the puzzle was set when Rain Diary signed with Finnish alt-label Secret Entertainment. On its release week ‘The Lights Are Violent Here’ hit TOP10 (7th spot) on Finnish Official Independent Record Store Sales Chart and was 30th on The Official Finnish Album Chart (week 40). Also, the album was voted #1 Alternative debut album of 2013 in a polling held by Levykauppa Äx (Finland leading record store chain).
On November 2013, Rain Diary started to work with German promo-label, Gordeon Promotions. In March 2014 the single ‘Shame’ and on April 4th ‘TLAVH’ were released in Mid-Europe. The band got some well-needed radio time in Germany when Shame found it’s way to various indie radio station playlists. Also, the TLAVH was well reviewed in German media & the band was featured in Orkus & Gothic Magazines + was honored to be reviewed in Sonic Seducer Soundcheck. Rain Diary also singed a world wide publishing deal with the German company, Edition JA!, which later became part of Steam Music.
The extensively touring band broadened the range of venues by playing their first international show in Tallinn on March 29th 2014 (headlining Red Emperor Music Week) and did their first German tour in September 2014 followed by another tour in April 2015.
On February 2017 Rain Dairy tied the knots with a German booking agency Anubis Artist Service that represent band in Mid-Europe and GAS-area.
On early May 2017 Rain Diary was written when the band singed a record & agency deal with the legendary Finnish label Stupido Records & Booking, how releases the 2nd album Black Weddings in Finland. The international release was handled by Optical Records.
In 2018-2019, along with domestic gigs the band toured Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Czech Republic.
Rain Diary faced a dramatic change in 2020 as its founding member and singer Tommi Suomala left the band. Tommi was shortly replaced by Otto Kukkaneva whose sparkling visit became short due to severe health issues.
Rain Diary managed to overcome these unfortunate vile bounces and found whole new strength and inspiration from repeating setbacks. As it happens, the most promising chapter started in the later part of 2021 when the new ingenious singer Joonas Verho was found. Mr Verhos’ brute yet ever so delicate voice has brought a whole lot of rock ‘n roll spirit and vibe into Rain Diary’s music that keeps evolving into something new…
Rain Diary will be touring acoustically in Finland and Germany (support to Lord of The Lost) in the spring 2022 and will continue recording their third album – Night Church (release early 2023).
