Lori Rayne brings grit and edge to her country music, leaning on heavier guitars and an alternative-country feel while staying rooted in Southern storytelling. Her new EP, I Don’t Drink, feels like a clear snapshot of who she is right now — unfiltered, confident, and comfortable standing a little outside the lines.
“I Don’t Drink is the most honest reflection of who I am as an artist,” Rayne says. “It holds all the styles and influences that shape my sound and personality. This EP is for anyone who grew up on country or Southern music, but always felt a little outside the box, just like me.”
Who says you need to get drunk to have fun? When most people picture a Friday night out, it usually involves bar hopping and a few too many cocktails. With “I Don’t Drink,” Lori Rayne flips that expectation on its head, celebrating the energy, connection, and release of a night out — without alcohol being the center of it. Her unmistakable tone and soulful delivery ride over extra heavy, driving guitars and a jamming country production that builds with real force, pulling you straight onto a packed honky-tonk floor. The song carries a rock-leaning edge that gives it muscle, proving Rayne’s comfort in the alternative country lane while keeping country’s spirit at the forefront.
As she sings, “Tonight I want red lips, tall boots, cut-off jeans / top it off with my rhinestone hoops / I want a little heel-toe do-si-do / drop it down real slow / Boot Scoot n’ Copperhead Road,” it becomes clear this is a line-dancing-ready anthem. Loud, confident, and rooted in real life, “I Don’t Drink” proves you can still show up, show out, and own the night with no inebriation required: “I’ve never been the kind to turn down a dance / but I don’t need a drink in my hand / let me break these boots in while spinning around on this floor / just a little two-step is all the buzz I’m looking for.”
As the EP unfolds, Rayne shows her range while maintaining her edge. “The One That Ran Away” taps into the ache of lost love and lingering questions. “To Be Country” nods to the roots she grew up on, grounded and straightforward, while “Where Do We Go” leans heavier, letting the guitars carry a more alternative, rock-tinged energy.
Her stripped-back cover of “Jolene,” released just after the celebration of Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday, is one of the most personal moments on the EP. With just her voice and a guitar, Rayne lets the song speak for itself, honoring the original while bringing her own rich perspective.
By the end of I Don’t Drink, Rayne’s message is clear. This EP isn’t about fitting into a mold, but about embracing where she comes from and where she’s headed. For anyone who grew up loving country music but never quite felt like they fit the stereotype, Lori Rayne’s voice will feel right at home.
ABOUT LORI RAYNE: Breakout alternative country artist Lori Rayne is carving out her own lane with a sound that reflects both her Southern roots and modern influences. Growing up in the heart of the South, her sound is shaped by the storytelling of country, the rhythm of 90’s hip-hop, rock-music heroes, and the blues-soaked energy of her hometown. With a voice that’s smooth, grounded, and intentionally commanding, Lori connects with cross-genre audiences everywhere. Her songs blend relatable lyricism with a sonic backbone that hits harder than traditional country and speaks to any venue that likes a diverse artist.
Though music has always been part of her story, Lori has been building momentum, steadily reaching new audiences with each release and every performance. Lori has taken the stage at major festivals like Pilgrimage Fest and Farm Aid, performed in Nashville’s Song Suffragettes showcase, and appeared in International press outlets including Rolling Stone, CMT, the Academy of Country Music, Holler, Wide Open Country, and more.
Along the way, she’s stayed committed to writing and releasing music that reflects her perspective: bold, honest, and unafraid to push music boundaries.
Now based in the Pacific Northwest and Nashville, Lori is entering a new chapter she proudly calls “y’allternative” — a blend of her Southern roots, country storytelling, and the rock-leaning edge that defines her sound today. Whether she’s performing with a band or delivering a stripped-down acoustic set, Lori Rayne brings heart, presence, and a refreshing perspective to the stage while staying true to the girl from Birmingham who fell in love with music in the first place.
