Rising Stars: Meet Luther Racelis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luther Racelis.

Hi Luther, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I remember looking up at the ceiling of my car and gazing into the stars through my rear window. Homeless at that time in Los Angeles. Laying in my backseat I had my guitar. I had no idea what my life was going to be but one thing I knew was that music to me was larger than life and was a safe place from the madness and unknown I was facing. It seemed like the only thing that ever made sense to me was music.

That feeling continues now years later. While homeless, I had finished high school and was part of a small label after a small demo was created for my friends and family. I had the opportunity to play at the house of blues in LA and the plush cafe in Fullerton. A small tour that ended in New Mexico where we packed a small coffee shop of 50 people. The first time I felt successful as a musician.

I had the disadvantage of not having much support and was still homeless, so I decided to join the military. I spent ten years serving in the Navy and Marine corps as an FMF corpsman (medic). It was not a great environment for creativity and had stopped writing. After leaving the military I had noticed that I had almost lost a part of who I was and had started to write again. After spending time in Virginia I had fallen in love with country music.

A genre and lifestyle, I wasn’t exposed to in Los Angeles. A close friend of mine recommended that I should switch over. since I mostly write soul/neo-soul/R&b. I knew that being a minority in country music was going to be a challenge, but I believe country music is in your heart and in your stories, and that’s what makes it special regardless of your ethnicity.

I come from an interracial family and was born in the Philippines and raised in Los Angeles, light years away from Nashville. But I believe my diversity could help me stand out. I am now currently writing an EP and soon a tour across America ending in Seattle. I’ll be attending commercial dive/ dive medical technician school to hopefully end up in the fire department. I think many artists want to “make it” and have false expectations of stardom and “getting record deals”.

For me, it was never about the money or fame but the ability to use my creativity as an artist to its full potential. The surprised faces after a performance, the close friends who stayed for the ride, and knowing I cloud lose everything again right now but I’ll always have my love and my passion as an artist.

Having nothing but having everything while in the back seat of my car was a moment I often think about as to why I do what I do with music, a constant reminder of a gift I am eternally grateful for.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Balancing life with my profession and music is very hard. I’m sure a lot will agree it’s like having two full-time jobs. There are also a lot of nonlegitimate people in the music industry. Navigating who to work with is a challenge.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I started my medical career as a Navy Corpsman and served in both the Navy and Marine Corps. I had a strong interest in becoming a Navy Diver but decided I wanted to dive as a civilian.

I had decided to go to a Commercial dive school in Seattle. I’ll be attending DIT to specialize in dive rescue/ dive medicine.

Hopefully becoming a dive rescue member at a city Fire Department after a couple of years as a commercial diver.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I am a very open-minded person.

I love meeting all types of people. I have worked with beginners and professionals. I never take advice for granted regardless of who that person may be.

I think pride gets the best of people. Staying focused on your own progress and not comparing yourself to others is important. Having a healthy friendship with humility is something I work on daily.

Contact Info:

• Email: Lutherracelis@icloud.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/luther_racelis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LutherRacelisBand/