Southern California’s own, Diana Rein, is taking the rock/blues world by storm! This young, beautiful powerhouse is on her way to making Diana Rein, a well-known and sought-after name in our wonderful world of music and song! On Aug 16, Diana performed to an intimate crowd, at the charming, “Merc,” in the bustling, historic, old town Temecula, California. The Merc is a delightfully, small theater, that is perfect for those up-close performances that allow the performer and the audience to become completely enveloped in each other. Impressive acoustics and an adjacent courtyard with local wine vendors creates that “sweet spot” for music and performing arts lovers.
The event quickly sold out. Guests and fans were there to celebrate the recent release of Diana’s third studio album. Diana is an accomplished vocalist, and guitarist that is supported by two talented artists accompanying her on bass and drums but Diana’s sultry voice, reminiscent of such artists as Susan Tedeschi, Melissa Ethridge, and Bonnie Raitt, was front and center. “The Queen of My Castle” is a 15 track CD filled with an eclectic compilation of fun, whimsy, tribute, the power of being a woman, romance and heartbreak. It is danceable, road-trippable, sultry, romantic, inspirational and at times, a bit melancholy as Diana takes you on a trip through the highs and lows of life and love. You will hear shades of her favorite influencers such as Stevie Ray Vaughn. She includes a tribute to the master of rock and blues in the words and her guitar work in “Pure Soul”. “Zoe“, the only instrumental on the album reaches in and grabs you by the heartstrings as it pays tribute to lost love. Track by track it is a roller coaster ride of thrills and chills as it moves you from emotion to emotion. “Chill of the Night” will take you back to the days of old-school country/rock and blues, while the title track “Queen of My Castle“, will have you swing dancing and the women of the world making promises to take over the world with girl power. While I could write on and on about how in love I am with Diana and her newest release, but don’t just take my word for it. The purchase of all her CD’s and touring schedule is all available online.
Queen of My Castle was released by Texas, based Gulf Coast Records in June of 2019. Diana goes big or goes home when it comes to being backed by a talented, experienced, and sought-after team of musicians, producers, engineers, and press advisers. The album was produced by Michael Leasure, of the Walter Trout Band, who also laid down the drum tracks. It is co-produced by Diana and mixed/mastered by Lincoln Clapp of Stevie Ray Vaughn, fame. It all came to life when it was recorded at California’s Loveless Motel Studios.
The hour-long performance, was a collection of tracks from her new album, culminating with a powerful rendition of Jimi Hendrix’ “All Along the Watchtower.” I settled in my preferred seat location (always toward the back of the room, so I can also watch audience members and fans) to enjoy Diana’s performance. Being a newbie to Diana’s music, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the stage nor the audience. Diana is one of those artists that takes no time to warm up the room. She steps onto the stage and instantly sets it on fire! We now live in a world where you know that you have conquered your audience when you don’t see cell phones present. True music lovers allow themselves to become entirely in the moment. The presence of cell phones was almost non-existent as fans allowed themselves to get lost in the moment. Photo ops, meet and greets, CD signings came after the show as Diana made herself available in the lobby of the theater to chat with her guests and fans.
Diana’s love affair with the blues came at an early age. Born in Romania, her parents moved the family to Chicago when she was three years old and planted her in the middle of Chicago’s heavily vested rock and blues roots, and a future star was born. Over the years she honed her musical and acting talents in performing arts school and eventually made her way to southern California, where we are lucky to have her an intertrial part of our local rock and blues community.
After the show on Aug 16, Diana and her young son, Vaughn, took some time to sit down with us to chat about what drives her forward and what is coming up in the future. You can find our video interview in this month’s issue
Finding Diana and her music on the interwebs is easy and plentiful. On social media, you can find her music page by searching “Diana Rein Music”. Music streaming, purchase of merchandise, CD’s and touring schedule is available on her website: www.dianarein.com and on most reputable music service sites.
Diana Rein has toured throughout the entire United States, including a residency at The Suite Lounge in Chicago. Due to her laying down roots in Temecula’s ever-growing wine country, the opportunities to see her perform at some of these gorgeous venues is not uncommon. Currently, she is preparing for a tour through her home country of Romania and Europe, but in the meantime, you can find her singing the blues throughout the western United States, parts of the mid-west and Florida.
By: Siege! / BackStage360
Watch our interview with Diana:
>
Current Tour Schedule
Sat, SEP 7
Sedona Red Rockin’ Blues Festival, Sedona, AZ
FREE
Sun, SEP 29
Alvas Showroom, San Pedro, CA
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Sat, OCT 19
Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Sat, OCT 26
Legendary Blues Cruise #33- Oct. 26th-Nov 2nd, San Diego, CA
SOLD OUT
Sat, NOV 9
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BLUES SOCIETY’S BATTLE OF THE 20 BLUES BANDS!
Long Beach, CA
NOTIFY DIANA REIN
Mar 7, 2020
Art’s Garage, Delray Beach, FL
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Mar 20, 2020
Blues Bash at The Ranch, Brooksville, FL
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Mar 21, 2020
The Little Bar, Goodland, FL
NOTIFY DIANA REIN
Apr 25, 2020
Old Town Theater, Temecula, CA
TICKETS AVAILABLE
Queen of My Castle Track List
Yes I sing the Blues
The Midnight Line
Queen of My Castle
I Can’t Quit You
One foot In
Walking Along
Pure Soul
It’s You
My Love
Get Down
Chill of the Night
Worth
Times Ticking Away
Heat
Zoe