AtIanta Indie Music Scene: Rae and the Ragdolls

By Lauren Sabia

Last Updated May 15, 2026

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At a Glance:

• Atlanta indie band Rae and the Ragdolls blends psychedelic grunge, classic rock, folk, metal and jazz into energetic live shows.
• What began as Rae G.Biv’s solo project evolved into a collaborative five-piece band rooted in longtime friendships.
• The band’s concept albums, “Sunshine in a Shadow Vol. I” and “Sunshine in a Shadow Vol. II,” center on storytelling and emotional themes.
• The band is a staple of Atlanta’s DIY scene, performing at venues like The Earl and Eddie’s Attic.

A Rae and the Ragdolls show is an eclectic staple of Atlanta’s indie music scene. 

Lead singer Rae G.Biv and guitarist Will Bennett first crossed paths in high school, playing together in a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band. Fast forward to 2018, a solo project was in the works, and the search for instrumentation sparked a reunion.

After recording their first EP, the duo began expanding the band, adding guitarist Spencer Lingle, drummer Ryan Pailthorpe and bassist Olivia Towe. 

The sound ranges from psychedelic grunge to classic and indie rock, and fans can also hear G.Biv and Bennett’s love for folk, Towe’s love for metal and Pailthorpe’s love for jazz woven into the mix. 

“I want everyone to be able to express themselves and have a part in it, because if it were just one of us writing everything, I don’t think it would be as good as the sum of our parts,” Bennett said.  

The first two concept albums, “Sunshine in a Shadow Vol. I” and “Sunshine in a Shadow Vol. II,” use storytelling to guide listeners through the highs and lows of the lives of groovy characters. In a current work, G.Biv’s connection to nature shines through the lyrics, and she notes that writing has always been a creative outlet for her.

A single that’ll be featured on the next album, “Moon Tipper,” is a band favorite and has been years in the making. While the lyrics were originally written in 2019, the band refined the track over several years before its official 2024 release. 

“[Moon tipping is] where you go out on the beach at night, and you have someone stare up at the moon and keep focusing on it, then just spin in circles,” Bennett explained. “Then someone will go up to them and shine a flashlight in their eyes, and it just makes you fall over.” G.Biv laughed, responding, “It’s so fun. It doesn’t sound fun, but it’s so fun.”

What started as lyrics reflecting on a fond memory turned into a piece members are really happy with, a collaborative whirlwind of nostalgia spanning half a decade. Fans may stream that song, plus the band’s first two records and EPs, anywhere they get their music.

The incredibly supportive community members describe as good-hearted, artsy, free-spirited people know how to have fun at the shows, always boogying and chatting with the band members after.

“Whenever you see somebody enjoying your music, physically dancing and not afraid to express themselves to one of your songs, that is so inspirational,” G.Biv said. 

While fans are a major source of inspiration, the band also draws on Atlanta’s diverse music scene and on immersing themselves in their peers’ shows, ranging from metal to bluegrass and beyond. Bennett said he’ll hear an incredible song live and want to immediately go home, pick up his guitar and experiment. 

Music lovers usually can spot them on the stages of favorite local venues including Eddie’s Attic in Dekalb County and The Earl in East Atlanta, or at neighborhood festivals such as Cabbagetown’s Chomp and Stomp. The band even has rocked out in motion along Moreland Avenue, balancing on a float during Little 5 Points’ legendary Halloween Parade.  

“That setup was crazy; so much went into that,” G.Biv said. “It was so much fun, but it was definitely complicated.” Bennett added, ”We had a generator and a whole sound system, and we dressed like psychedelic zombies. We have to do that again.”

The band defines success not by streaming counts or social media likes, but by the authenticity of the music, passion and belief in what they are creating.

“I love hearing people tell me about a song I wrote and they’ll say, ‘That song really meant something to me,’ or, ‘This song made me cry,’” he said. “That’s the best feeling, better than if I got 10,000 streams in a day.”

Rae and the Ragdolls is perfecting and fine-tuning its third album, which they hope to complete by the end of 2026. Make sure to follow them on Instagram (@raeandtheragdolls) to keep tabs on the release date and any upcoming shows.

Lauren Sabia is a writer and digital creator born and raised in Metro Atlanta. She’s passionate about telling the stories of the people who shape the city, amplifying community voices, and striking up conversations that turn strangers into friends. Outside of work, you can find her on the Beltline or exploring Atlanta’s many vibrant neighborhoods.

Originally Published May 13, 2026